Roseburg, OR – The defending national champions are set to defend its title as the No. 1 nationally ranked Indian Hills Women's Wrestling squad heads to Oregon for the Junior College National Championships. Hosted by Umpqua Community College, the tournament is set to begin at 9:00 AM PST / 11:00 AM CST on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Warriors, who claimed the first-ever women's Junior College National Championship in Roseburg last season, head to this year's tournament loaded with returning All-Americans and national champions. The eight-team field opens up action Saturday with the Junior College National Tournament and will follow-up on Sunday with the Junior College National Team Duals. The Warriors claimed both the team and dual national titles last year.

"This should be a great opportunity for our women to go out and showcase their abilities," stated head coach Cole Spree. "There will be some super competitive teams and wrestlers competing again this year."

WARRIORS TO WATCH

22 individuals will head to Oregon to compete for an individual national title, All-America honors, and a team dual national title. The Warriors' travel party consists of three individuals who look to defend their individual national title, eight returning All-Americans, and 10 freshmen who look to make history.

Chloe Clemons: The sophomore returns as the defending national champion at 123lbs, but will look to become the first-ever women's junior college wrestler to win an individual title at two different weight classes. Clemons will wrestle in the 109lb class as the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the nation.

Heaven-Leigh Jackson: The defending 109lb national champion, Jackson will move up a class and enters the weekend as the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the 116lb weight class. Jackson has been dominant throughout the 2021-22 season and will look to earn a second national title, this time in a loaded 116lb weight class.

Sofia Rubio: Rubio returns to Roseburg, OR as the defending national champion at 191lbs. Ranked No. 2 in the nation, Rubio will square off against a competitive class, including top-ranked Kiley Hubby from Big Bend Community College.

COMING FOR THE CHAMPS

As the sport of women's wrestling at the junior college level continues to grow, the national championships continue to attract teams from around the nation. This year, seven programs will look to take a shot a dethroning the Warriors as the defending national champions.

"The number of teams and participants are up this year which is great," Spree added. "I am excited to continue watching women's wrestling at the Junior College level grow."

This year's tournmanet features nearly 90 student-athletes, up close to 30 percent from last year's outing. 

Iowa Western: A first-year program, Iowa Western will make its first trip to the national championships. Indian Hills squared off with the Reivers in the regular season where the Warriors scored a 36-9 dual victory.

Big Bend: The 2021 national championship runners-up, Big Bend enters the weekend as the No. 3 ranked team in the nation and will send 13 individuals to compete, including three top-3 nationally ranked individuals.

Umpqua: The tournament host enters the weekend with 23 wrestlers set to compete and will head into the tournament as the No. 2 ranked team in the nation.

WHERE TO WATCH

GoHillsTV, the official streaming platform of Indian Hills Community College, will be on site to cover both days of the national championships. The full broadcast will feature all matches on both mats throughout the two-day event.

Fans can view all of the aciton by downloading the GoHillsTV mobile app on Android and Apple devices, visiting GoHillsTV on Facebook Live, or GoHillsTV Online.

Live results will also be available via TrackWrestling.

WARRIORS' PROJECTED LINEUP

Indian Hills CC seeks to repeat as champions in individual and dual meet events at Junior College Nationals for women@IHCCWrestling

— USA Wrestling (@USAWrestling) February 18, 2022