Hermelinda Mendoza became OUAZ Wrestling's first ever National Champion with a first period pin over Xochitl Tofoya of Big Bend.  Mendoza led the team to a Runner-up finish at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Championships held in Allen, Texas March 10-12. 

According to Head Coach Ed Cruz, "Hermelinda epitomizes what it means to be an OUAZ wrestler.  She is obviously very talented and coachable.  Beyond that she works hard everyday in practice and in the classroom." 

The Pack also has two other National Finalists with Sara Gaytan and Veronica Palmer making to the Championship match.  The team had a total of seven All-Americans with Iyanla Thomas and Trinity Robinson placing 3rd and Katherine Cuellar and Jessica Emerson placing 4th.

"We had an incredible tournament, everyone wrestled great." said Cruz. Our other National Qualifiers came within one match of being All-Americans:  Jasmin Soc-Lopez, Diaja Sams, and Cheyenne Williams.

The accolades for the team did not stop with their performance on the mat.  The pack was also recognized as the National All-Academic Team for having the highest Team GPA in the NCWA.  Leading the team in GPA was Diaja Sams.

Head Coach Ed Cruz was also named as the NCWA National Coach of the Year.