2009-10 Women's Wrestling Season Preview
Head Coach Severin Walsh will be the first to admit that leading the Pacific women’s wrestling program has not been the easiest task.
Yet despite the difficulties, the Boxers did their part to do more with less. Injuries and personal issues whittled the roster down to just four athletes by the time the NCWA Women’s Nationals came around in March. Pacific rose to the occasion, having all four wrestlers earn All-American honors as the Boxers finished third in the championship.
“Those who stuck with the program certainly earned their reward at the end,” Walsh said of those who competed at nationals. “I was proud of those who stuck with it and made the commitment to see the season through to the end.”
The task for Pacific will be much tougher in the 2009-10 season. Thanks to injuries, academics and personal choices, the Boxers begin the season with two wrestlers. Both are returners in Rebecca Hofmann (Jr., La Mirada, Calif.) and Kisha Milfort (Sr., Miami, Fla.).
So instead of the usual schedule of duals, the Boxers will focus on getting their two charges in as many open meets as possible.
One of those returners comes back with a national championship to her credit. Hofmann won the unlimited weight class at the 2009 NCWA Women’s National Championships. Hofmann captured the title despite wrestling just 12 matches for the season.
“Rebecca brings a great level of experience to the program,” Walsh said. “I expect her to continue to excel on the mat and make the most of her opportunities.”
Milfort returns looking to conclude her collegiate career on a high note. Milfort struggled in her junior season after taking a year off from wrestling, going 0-8 in collegiate style matches and 0-5 in freestyle matches. Milfort struggled in finding some consistency while having to wrestle at four different weight classes.
“I would like for Kisha to finish her career on a high note,” Walsh said. “She worked hard last year despite the competition we could provide her at her natural weight class.”
While the picking are small for the women’s wrestling program in 2009-10, Walsh is quick to silence rumors that the program is on the brink of extinction. One of just a handful of intercollegiate women’s wrestling programs in the United States, Walsh said the recruiting process in well under way.
“We are committed to finding top quality athletes bring our numbers back up to what they should be,” Walsh said. “We want to continue to keep the profile of Pacific women’s wrestling high and continue to help the profile of the women’s side of the sport nationally.”