JAMESTOWN, ND — Christina Ordonez didn’t have any trouble adjusting to college competition this season.

The 2009 Lakewood alum finished in sixth place at the 2010 WCWA Women’s College National Championship in February.

“It was very intense,” said Ordonez about what she was thinking while walking into Missouri Valley College for the national meet. “When you get to this level, everything is so much harder.”

Ordonez, who wrestles for Jamestown College in North Dakota, said she could notice the change in competition in the next level right away.

“It is definitely a lot different from high school,” she said. “Everybody is better prepared and in better shape.”

Nevertheless, that didn’t keep Lakewood’s first state champion from succeeding. In the 63-kilogram division, or about 138 pounds, Ordonez went 11-13 this season.

Ordonez has wrestled just four years total, combining her high school and college experience. At the 2009 Mat Classic, she was Lakewood’s first wrestler in school history to reach the top of the podium.

Now, she is an integral part of Jamestown’s fifth-place finish at nationals with 38 team points. The title went to defending champion Oklahoma City University, which scored 124.

Ordonez enjoyed so much success in her freshman season that she was one of eight Jamestown wrestlers earning All-American honors.

With all her success, she is still considering whether or not to wrestle as a sophomore.

“I like the competition,” she said. “And I love being part of the team, but I’m trying to decide if I should focus on academics.”

Ordonez is studying engineering.