JC takes fifth at nationals

• Christina Zamora

Christina Zamora JC wrestler The 155-pounder was 1 of 7 Jimmie All-Americans.

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The Jimmie women’s wrestling team capped a strong season with a fifth-place finish overall and seven All-Americans.

Amy Fearnside (109 pounds), Tiffany Sluik (123), Shai Mason (136), Christina Zamora (155), Mary Westman (155), Lilia Gudzyuk (170) and Chelsie Fleming (191) each had top seven finishes on Saturday to close the season at the WCWA National Championships in Bristol, Tenn.

The Jimmies, who finished outside the top 10 last season, made significant strides in coach Tony DeAnda’s second season in charge.

“As coaches and competitors, you always think you could have done better, but big picture it was a good weekend and a good season for us,” said DeAnda, trying to navigate slick roads in Illinois on Sunday while driving the bus back home. “I thought we could have very well had more All-Americans, but sometimes the calls don’t go your way.

“It’s a learning process for our team, but we feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”

Zamora, a junior from Orange County, Calif., had the top finish. She went 2-1 on Saturday to finish third at 155, going 4-1 overall.

Fearnside and Sluik each placed fourth at 109 and 123, respectively. It was the final meet for Sluik, who finished as a 3-time All-American.

Fleming also finished on a high note, taking seventh at 191.

“The seniors did well and so did several of the underclassmen,” DeAnda said.

Mason had a grueling weekend, slogging through seven matches, with four wins, and finished sixth at 136.

Mary Westman (155) and Lilia Gudzyuk (170) both finished sixth.

Team-wise, the Jimmies (31) finished behind only Simon Fraser (116), Oklahoma City (109), King College (87) and Lindenwood (44). Seventeen teams competed in the meet.

“Those teams are all pretty solid. Their systems are well established, and that’s where our goal is to be,” said DeAnda, also noting the work his lone assistant (Dany DeAnda), also his wife, does. “I’m confident we can get there.”

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, jimmies, wrestling