PA's Samantha Klingel Wins Women College National Title

Former Pleasant Valley High School wrestler and current King University senior Samantha Klingel (Kresgeville, Pa.) captured the 2016 Women’s College National Championship over the weekend in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo From King Athletics).

It was the final touches on a successful career at the National power King University. Klingel’s National Championship at 116 lbs. helped the Tornados claim their third straight WCWA National Team Title. It was also Samantha Klingel’s third time placing at the WCWA Nationals since 2012.

Last season Samantha missed the entire season due to an injury and did not compete in the WCWA National Championships. In 2012 Samantha competed in her first career WCWA National Tournament and came away with a fourth place medal at 116 lbs. Again in 2013 Klingel earned her second All-American honors placing fifth at 116 lbs.

This is not the first time Samantha has found success on the mat as she was a University World Team member for Team USA and owns a USAW Junior Folkstyle National Championship from 2011. In 2013 Klingel travelled to Chili and won a Pan-American Championship title for Team USA.

Klingel was not the only Pennsylvania Native who left Oklahoma City with WCWA hardware. Simon Fraser sophomore and former Wilson (West Lawn) wrestler Francesca Giorgio (Reading, PA) came away with her second straight WCWA All-American honors at 136 lbs. As a freshman Giorgio placed fifth at 136 lbs. for Simon Fraser University and followed it up in 2016 with a third place finish at 136 lbs. Francesca gave eventual Champion Kayla Miracle (Campbellsville) her toughest match of the Tournament falling in the semifinals (4-2) before bouncing back to place third.

WCWA Nationals 116 – Samantha Klingel (King University) – Champion

Champ. Round 2 – Samantha Klingel (King University) won by fall over Alanda Nguyen (Life University) (Fall 2:40)

Champ. Round 3 – Samantha Klingel (King University) won by tech fall over Erica Sotelo (Campbellsville University) (TF 11-0)

Quarterfinal – Samantha Klingel (King University) won by decision over Shelby Morrison (Oklahoma City University) (Dec 8-0)

Semifinal – Samantha Klingel (King University) won by decision over Rachel Archer (Oklahoma City University) (Dec 5-0)

1st Place Match – Samantha Klingel (King University) won by decision over Abby Lloyd (Simon Fraser University) (Dec 3-0)

 

 

WCWA Nationals 136 – Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser) – Third Place

Champ. Round 2 – Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser University) won by fall over Zoe Wight (Life University) (Fall 1:10)

Champ. Round 3 – Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser University) won by decision over Chloe Spencer (Southern Oregon University) (Dec 8-2)

Quarterfinal – Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser University) won by decision over Jessi Kee (King University) (Dec 7-0)

Semifinal – Kayla Miracle (Campbellsville University) won by decision over Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser University) (Dec 4-2)

Cons. Semi – Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser University) won by fall over Sarah Bollinger (Missouri Baptist University) (Fall 1:55)

3rd Place Match – Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser University) won by decision over Hannah Jewell (King University) (Dec 8-3)