Nicole TysonOKLAHOMA CITY -- Nicole Tyson has been chosen as Oklahoma City University's head women's wrestling coach.
Tyson became the first OCU alumna to take over the women's wrestling program. Tyson, nee' Woody, took four Women's College Wrestling Association all-American nods and an individual national title from 2007-11.
In 2018-19, Oklahoma City finished as team runner-up with nine all-Americans in the NAIA Invitational and placed seventh with five all-Americans in the WCWA Championships.
"We are so fortunate to have someone of Nicole's caliber leading our women's wrestling program," OCU athletic director Jim Abbott said. "Nicole was a gifted student and wrestler herself at Oklahoma City University, and I'm confident that she will hold our student-athletes to the same standards. I'm excited to welcome Nicole back to the OCU campus and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have with our team."
Tyson has made a name for herself since becoming the first girl ever to be a high school state finalist for Gambrills Arundel (Md.). She has experienced success as an Oklahoma City wrestler, then as an assistant coach.
"I am truly excited to return to my alma mater as the head women's wrestling coach," Tyson said. "OCU has an historic women's wrestling program that I am eager to contribute my particular coaching style and expertise to. The wrestling program at OCU produced many great teams and has influenced many more great athletes. It is my hope for OCU's women's wrestling team to lead the way in producing great teams, individuals and student-athletes."
During her coaching career, Tyson has contributed to three national championships and three NWCA National Duals titles while guiding 10 individual national champs and 55 all-Americans. Most recently, she spent the past two seasons at Campbellsville (Ky.). Tyson has made coaching stops at Missouri Baptist as a graduate assistant and King (Tenn.) as a full-time assistant. She helped King win two national titles and two NWCA National Duals championships. Tyson contributed to Campbellsville winning its first WCWA national title as well as taking fourth in the 2019 NAIA Invitational and sixth in the WCWA Championships this past season.
During her OCU wrestling career, she was also a three-time WCWA national finalist while winning the 97-pound (44-kilogram) championship in 2011. She posted a 96-32 record with 16 pins and 21 technical falls. OCU went 51-0-1 during its last 52 duals during her career. Tyson led the Stars to three WCWA national championships and four NWCA National Duals titles.
Tyson was her team's Jim Wade Award winner, Dean's List recipient and earned the outstanding senior art award in photography at OCU upon graduation. She graduated with a bachelor of arts from Petree College of Arts and Science at Oklahoma City in 2011.
Tyson has extensive experience competing on the international stage. She collected a 2006 junior world championship and a 2008 junior Pan Am championship. In 2011, Tyson was a member of the Senior Pan Am Team, and a Senior National finalist while qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Trials. She placed fourth at the 2015 Senior National Championships and fourth at the 2016 Olympic Trials.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now