The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Women’s Wrestling team has had a long history of success and look to continue that success in the upcoming 2016-17 season. One Patriot wrestler is continuing off her success from last season as she recently competed against some of the best in the world last week as a member of Team USA in a major world championship event.
Sophomore Maya Nelson (Denver, CO), wrestled in the 63 kg. class last week in the United World Wrestling (UWW) Junior World Championships in Macon, France. Nelson would go straight to the round of 16 and win her opening match against Zarina Dauletkeldi of Kazakhstan by tech fall 10-0. Nelson would lose her first match of the tournament in the quarterfinal round as she fell to eventual Silver medalist Ayana Gempei of Japan by decision 8-3.
In the wrestleback bracket, or in this tournament called Repechage bracket, Nelson would defeat Asli Tugcu of Turkey by decision 11-3, earning a spot in the Bronze medal match. There, Nelson would bring home hardware as she won the Bronze medal match over Mariia Kuznetcova of Russia by decision 9-4.
UC Head Coach Donnie Stephens is thrilled for Nelson commenting, “We are very proud of Maya. She is great kid with a heart of gold. I’m happy for her and her family as they are an incredible support system. I want to thank everyone one who has supported her along the way and want to thank Coach Randy Gallegos at Denver East High and Coach Erin Vandiver at the Olympic Training Center for all they have done with Maya.”
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