By Kasey Ricketts, communications assistant

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University Women's Alliance heard members of the Campbellsville University Women's Wrestling team give their testimonies, along with the opportunities wrestling has given them, at Winters Dining Hall April 7

Nicole Tyson, assistant wrestling coach, said she was proud of this team for winning its first national championship.

“I have been a part of many teams that have won a national title, but this one means more to me than any of the others. These girls and this school have been very special to me, and I am so proud to be a part of it,” Tyson said.

During the brunch, four of the student-athletes gave insights to wrestling and their relationship with God.

Charlotte Fowler, an All-American at 109 pounds from Katy, Texas, shared how wrestling has made her the person she is today.

“This sport has made me strong on and off the mat. It has challenged me time and time again, but I wouldn't be who I am today without it,” Fowler said.

McKenzie Bacich from Stockton, CA., a101 pounder for CU, told the story of her first time really feeling God move in her life at a church service.

“I was at a church service with a friend and her family and I looked at my friends mom and told her how I felt and she told me I was feeling God move in me. It was a great feeling,” Bacich said.

Kayla Miracle of Campbellsville, KY., four-time national champion, said she has traveled the world due to the opportunities wrestling has presented her and how the community has shown such great support for her and the team.

“Coming to Campbellsville has been the best place for me. We all say ‘find your calling' but you do more than that - you find your friends and you find your family,” Miracle said.

Grace Bullen, a national champion at 130 pounds from Fredrikstad, Norway, told her story of being a refuge from South Sudan to Norway and how she ended up finding Campbellsville University.

“I have traveled all over the world to wrestle. There are many times I have interactions with people I can't communicate with, but we understand each other because of our ability to speak wrestling,” Bullen said.

The purpose of the Women's Alliance is to build stronger connections among women with the university and to support special needs of Campbellsville University students through the student emergency fund.

The student emergency fund helps students and their families during personal and family emergencies that occur while they are attending Campbellsville University.

Debbie Carter, Carver School of Social Work director of recruitment and community relations and assistant professor of social work, thanked the women for coming and introduced the wrestling team.

The purpose of the Women's Alliance is to build stronger connections among women with the university and to support special needs of Campbellsville University students through the student emergency fund.

The student emergency fund helps students and their families during personal and family emergencies that occur while they are attending Campbellsville University.

Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 10,000 students offering over 90 programs of study including 20 master's degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Summersville and Liberty, all in Kentucky, and one in Costa Mesa, Calif., and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

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