MBU Adds Women's Wrestling Program for 2008-2009
Missouri Baptist University Director of Athletics Thomas Smith has announced that MBU will become one of only a handful of universities in the country to sponsor a women’s wrestling program, beginning in the 2008-2009 school year. Women’s Wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports in both the United States and the world. It was added to the Olympic Games in 2004 and has been fully included in all programs of USA Wrestling, the sport’s national authority. At the high school level, women’s wrestling has increased at a rate of 10 percent a year. Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 6,000 women wrestlers. The number of colleges, however, offering women’s wrestling is minimal with few active programs in the United States.
“With the numerous state sponsored high school championships across the country, and our desire to provide more opportunities for female athletes, we are excited to be the second university in Missouri to offer this opportunity,” said Smith.
The women’s program will be headed by current MBU Men’s Wrestling Coach Brian Jackson. Jackson will pull double duty, coaching both the men’s and women’s programs. Jackson has already signed the first member of the MBU women’s wrestling team. Tasha McCuller, a senior at St. Louis Career Academy, becomes the first Lady Spartan wrestler in school history. McCuller’s brother Pablo Ramos is a sophomore on the MBU men’s wrestling team.
“The goal for the MBU Women’s Wrestling program will not only be to develop servant leaders and successful student athletes, but also to develop future Olympic athletes,” said Coach Brian Jackson. “This provides an incredible opportunity for athletes to compete at a higher level on the mat while working toward completing their degree.”
The Missouri Baptist University Department of Athletics competes as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Since the NAIA does not currently sponsor women’s wrestling, the MBU women’s wrestling team will compete as a member of the Women’s College Wrestling Association. The WCWA was formed just this past weekend at the Women’s College Freestyle Wrestling National Championships in Oklahoma City.
About Coach Jackson: Jackson has attained Bronze certification with USA wrestling as a coach for both Olympic Styles of wrestling. He is considered one of the leaders in the state of Missouri in freestyle wrestling, and represents Missouri at both the National Duals and the Junior Nationals as a coach.
For more information about the MBU women’s wrestling program, please contact Jackson via e-mail at Jackson@mobap.edu Or call at 314-744-5317 work 314-307-0759 Cell.
