Three Wayland Baptist student-athletes –
Tamyra Mensah,
Tarkyia Mensah and
Tam Tillman – are ranked in the latest USA Wrestling U.S. Senior Women's Rankings.
Tamyra Mensah, a junior from Katy who is redshirting this academic year after winning the 2014 WCWA National Championship at 143 pounds, is the highest-ranked Wayland wrestler: fourth in the 152-pound division.
Mensah, who recently secured a victory over Diana Gonzales of Mexico while wrestling in New York, won the Nordhagen Classic earlier this month in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, preparing her for this weekend's Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs, Colo., where up to 20 countries will be represented, WBU coach
Aaron Meister said.
Other top finishes for Mensah have been second at University Nationals and University World Championships, and third at the U.S. Open and New York Athletic Club Open. Mensah has represented Wayland while wrestling in Greece, Spain and Hungary.
"It's a real blessing to have Tamyra in our program," Meister said. "She's had a wealth of positive experience and momentum, dating all the way back to last year when she won nationals."
Mensah's twin sister, Tarkyia, is ranked sixth by USA Wrestling in the 132-pound class.
Meister has been impressed with Tarkyia's "persistence and desire to improve.
"She has really stepped up in being a leader on this year's team," the coach said. "We look for those qualities to continue and for her to continue being successful."
Tillman, a sophomore from Santa Fe Springs, Calif., who transferred to Wayland a year ago, is ranked eighth in the 121-pound division.
"Tam has been a great addition to our team," Meister said. "She really understands her body position and technique, and has really helped the team score some points."
Meister said two other WBU wrestlers – sophomore
Vanessa Smith and freshman
Nahiela Magee of Lancaster, Calif., -- "are on the verge" of being ranked. Smith was ranked eighth at 105½ pounds in the previous USA Wrestling poll last May. Of Magee, Meister said, "If she continues doing what she's doing, she will break into the rankings shortly."
The WBU women's wrestling team next competes in Ottawa, Kan., on Saturday, taking on Ottawa at 10 a.m. before a dual with Missouri Baptist at noon. The Wayland men also wrestle Missouri Baptist at noon.
