Sophomore Erica Chew was among six Lady Vikings to take home gold medals from the U.S. College Nationals. [Click to enlarge]

ATHERTON, Calif. -- The Missouri Valley College women's wrestling team claimed gold medals in six of eight weight classes Saturday to defend their title in the U.S. College Nationals at Atherton, Calif.

The second-ranked Lady Vikings had nine medalists tally 69 points during the event to outpace Pacific (Ore.) by 30 points. However, absent from the field were Cumberland (Ky.) -- No. 1 in the latest poll by TheMat.com -- and six of the nation's top-rated American college wrestlers. Only one weight class had more than four entries in a total field of 32 grapplers.

Still, Valley compiled an aggregate 18-6 record, with juniors Brooke Bogren (59 kilograms) and Kelly Branham defending their titles. Bogren won two of her three bouts by fall and Branham (67 kg) was named "outstanding upper weight" wrestler with two victories.

Freshman Rachel Billerbeck (63 Kg) also won three matches, the first via pin, to place first. Sophomore Erica Chew won the round robin with two 55-kilogram foes, as did freshman Brittney Jones (72 kg) -- winning the finals by fall. Sophomore Selina Perez likewise won the gold-medal match in short order, taking only 42 seconds.

The two heaviest weight classes demonstrated the skimpiness of the field. The two highest-ranked 72-kilogram wrestlers -- Cumberland senior and U.S. Olympian Toccara Montgomery and Valley sophomore Stephany Lee, who met in the finals a year ago -- weren't entered. Only one ranked 80-kilogram wrestler -- No. 8 Pacific freshman Ashley Truchon, pinned by Perez -- was present, the other two moving up in weight class.

The two top-ranked wrestlers who competed both claimed titles. Menlo (Calif.) sophomore Sara Fulp-Allen was first at 48 kilograms -- where Lady Vikings freshman Sadie Kaneda finished third by splitting four bouts -- and Pacific sophomore Kapua Torres defeated Valley sophomore Maika Watanabe for the 51 kg crown, 2-0, 6-0.

The Vikings will be at home for the first time this season Saturday to host the MVC Showcase, an open event with age groups from 8-and-under up to amateur Seniors -- including the top-rated Lady Patriots of Cumberland.