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Tiger wrestler earns her stripes
Princeton's Pang, believed to be only woman wrestling in men's D-I meets, has proved her toughness

BY JOHN BOELL
STAFF CORRESPONDENT

January 28, 2005

PRINCETON, N.J. -- It is between semesters at Princeton University. Most of the campus is quiet, but the wrestling room in the basement of Jadwin Gym is a flurry of non-stop activity.

Princeton's 125-pound wrestler is one of 25 teammates enduring a two-a-day training session. Despite agonizing pain from a severely pinched nerve in the neck, the Toronto product jumps rope, bangs out stomach crunches, rides an exercise bike.

Then the real fun begins.

"Monkey rolls," bellows assistant coach Ryan Bonfiglio.

"No way," the 125-pounder says quietly, contemplating the torturous drill in which three wrestlers alternate rolling over one another from right to center to left and back again.

Then Bonfiglio asks the sore-necked senior tri-captain, "Are you in?" The injury would be diagnosed the next day as a herniated disc, but the answer comes back quickly: "I'll try."

And the lightest Tiger takes to the mat.

Audrey Pang would do anything for Princeton's wrestling team. She's endured a lot the past four years.

Pang is believed to be the only woman participating in men's wrestling dual meets at the Division I level this season, and the first Princeton woman to compete against men in varsity matches in the program's 100-year history.

After wrestling three years on Princeton's club team, Pang was given the chance to wrestle on the varsity by head coach Michael New. No one else could make the lightest of college wrestling's 10 weight classes, but New said Pang deserved her shot because she pounded every walk-on who tried out for the position.

"It's a little overwhelming at times because even in women's wrestling I'm not No. 1. I've never won a national title," Pang said. "Sometimes I think that there are some girls that deserve this more than I do. But at the same time I've worked hard for this and I'm proud of what I've accomplished."

Neither the NCAA nor USA Wrestling tracks how many women have wrestled for men's programs. But the number is small, according to USA Wrestling director of communications Gary Abbott. "It's even more rare that a woman gets much time wrestling in matches," Abbott said, "and even rarer that a woman wins a match."

Pang, who is questionable for tomorrow night's dual meet at Columbia, has yet to defeat a man in competition. She is 1-6 this season, her only victory a forfeit in December against NYU, which didn't have a 125-pound wrestler. Pang has been pinned four times and lost once by technical fall (15 or more points). Her best opportunity for a win came on Dec. 4 against Western New England, when she lost a 14-8 decision.

"She had opportunities there," New said. "She had a couple really nice takedowns. The kid was physically stronger than her, but she used technique."

Pang has had to adjust to a collegiate style this season. She wrestled freestyle in high school in Canada and on the Tigers' club team, facing women.

"She's getting the hang of it really quick," said sophomore Steve Savin, a graduate of MacArthur High in Levittown. "She's good to drill with - she knows what she's doing - and she's able to hit the moves. The only bad thing is that she's lighter than everyone." And physically weaker despite her muscular build - or as much muscle as Pang can pack on her 5-3½ frame.

No one at Princeton ever will question Pang's toughness, especially after her performance at a women's tournament in the Midwest in 2003. Pang was thrown by her opponent and heard a pop on her left side. A physical trainer told Pang she probably had separated her shoulder.

"I was in a lot of pain, but I didn't want to be a wimp and tap out just because it was only a separated shoulder," said Pang, an economics major with a 3.55 GPA. "I didn't want to have to go back and tell the guys, 'I had to quit.' "

She didn't. Pang not only completed the match, she won. Then doctors told Pang her left collarbone had been broken into four pieces.

"I tell people that story all the time," New said. "How many guys do you got who broke their collarbone and continue to wrestle and then win the match?"

Her teammates were impressed. "She's tough," senior Jack Fleming said. "It's moments like that when I have an incredible amount of respect for her."

Fleming realizes the sacrifices Pang has made. "She's out there because she wants to compete. It's not motivated by women's lib or whatever," Fleming said. "It's motivated by the fact that she loves the sport, she loves the school and she loves this team."

Sometimes, just for a second, Pang thinks about her place in Princeton sports history.

"It's pretty amazing, actually, and I think it's kind of appropriate that in the 100th anniversary there would be the first female starter," said Pang, smiling. "There's some progress."

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Wrestlers gear for girls state tourney

By BRAD KVEDERIS, Times-Herald sports writer 1/28/05

It's only fitting that the girls state wrestling tournament is being held at Vallejo High this year - after all, the city's three high schools did manage to qualify 19 competitors for the event. Today and Saturday, eight wrestlers from Vallejo, nine from Hogan and two from Bethel will step onto the mat to see who has what it takes to be called the best in California.
If strength of numbers is any indication, Hogan looks to have the edge in the lower weight classes, sending five wrestlers to the meet in the 100-, 105- and 110-pound divisions. Krystalle Alcantara, who took first place at 100 pounds in last weekend's Northeast Regional meet, will join teammate Joy Quintillan, who finished third. Fifth-place finisher Tracy Samonte will represent the Spartans at 105 pounds, and Marissa Gonzalez and Jessica Ortiz - who battled each other in the finals of the 110-pound division - will fight it out in a talent-filled weight class.

Spartans coach Ric Manibusan says that, even though wrestling is an individual sport, he hopes Gonzalez and Ortiz can team up for a better shot at the title.

"Throughout the season, Ortiz went up a weight class, and 110 pounds is the toughest class right now in the state," Manibusan said. "But they're very tough individuals; they want to mix it up, get right in the mix. They're going to double-team their way to the title. We talked about teamwork in an individual sport, and here's a good example of that."

Perhaps the toughest challenger the pair will face is Northview High's Tatiana Padilla, who's ranked eighth in the state as a freshman.

"We're going to knock out some opponents, but the opponents they're going to face are awesome," Manibusan said. "There's the defending state champion, and the phenom from Northview. ... She's only a freshman, but she just nails."

Rounding out the Spartans' squad are Marcela Games, the region's fifth-place finisher at 128 pounds, Erin Russell and Destiny Mangoat, who took third and fifth place respectively at 134 pounds, and Stephanie Norman, who took fourth in the 154-pound weight class.

For Vallejo, individual success will be one matter, but the Apaches are also gunning for the overall team title. If they can get five wrestlers into the finals, said coach Carl Lastrella, they'll stand a good shot at walking away with the championship.

Perhaps no one stands a better chance at a title than junior Lauren Knight, who holds the state's second-best ranking in the 140-pound group. Although she dominated at 132 pounds for most of the year, Lastrella decided it would be best to move her up to the next division so she won't have to worry about making weight right before the meet.

Last weekend, Knight faced third-ranked Lauren Phillipps - who had beaten Knight twice earlier this year - and held on for a 12-6 win. Angela Miller, who scored a pin in the 146-pound final, should also be in the mix.

Elizabeth Bustamante (116) and Jamie Sage (122) also look to be top contenders for the Apaches.

"The hottest customer right now is Bustamante; she's been just dominant," Lastrella said of the junior standout.

Bustamante took first place at the regonal meet with a third-round pin, while Sage needed only two rounds to do the same in the next weight class. Bustamante carries a No. 2 state ranking into the tournament, while Sage is rated third in her division.

Freshman Monica Gonzalez, who has lost only three times all year, also has a shot in the 173-pound group. Despite a loss last weekend to River City's Rachel Gomez, Gonzalez should have a high seed in today's meet. Gomez is currently ranked second in the state, while Gonzalez is third.

Not to be counted out is Ashley Sage, who just made the cut with a sixth-place showing at 128 pounds.

It may be the 105-pound weight class that provides the most excitement; the Apaches will send Maria Angara, who held on to her No. 1 state ranking by pinning Bethel's Aegean Bayongan to win the regional tournament. Bayongan will be joined by Jaguars teammate Natasha Agtarap, who took third at 105 pounds.

Bethel coach Mike Sariano says his girls are ready for the competition they'll face today.

"I think they both have a great chance to place in the state tournament," Sariano said. "It's nothing really special; the girls are really just ready to wrestle other females in competition. ... They wrestled last year in the tournament as well, so they know what the competition is about at the girls state level."

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Runner excels in new role: Wrestler

Mitch Stephens

Friday, January 28, 2005

To help with her strength and conditioning, Sacred Heart Cathedral cross country and distance track runner had an intriguing idea in 2003.

Let's try wrestling.

Hmmm.

Some might consider putting in a few extra miles, maybe hitting the weights or even taking up soccer or basketball.

But Martinez went the distance. Wrestling, by most accounts, is the most physically taxing of all sports offered in high school.

Martinez, now a senior, didn't realize that she would catch wrestling fever.

After starting the sport just a season ago, Martinez is now the top female 114-pound wrestler in the state, according to the California Women's Wrestling Association.

"Natalie is one of the toughest wrestlers, male or female, that I've ever coached," said Sacred Heart Cathedral coach Jason Gor.

Martinez vaulted to the top of the rankings after taking first place in the seventh annual Asics Napa Valley Girls Classic Wrestling Tournament Jan. 15.

The tournament is considered one of the top tournaments west of the Mississippi River and featured more than 200 wrestlers from 68 schools in four states.

"She has made tremendous strides as only a second-year wrestler," Gor said.

Martinez also won the Central California Invitational Classic on Jan. 22, 10 days after she became the first Sacred Heart Cathedral female wrester to defeat a male opponent in a West Catholic Athletic League match with Serra.

Martinez pinned her opponent.

Besides her fast and vast development, Martinez's leadership and tenacity impress Gor.

"She has a strong desire to win and also helps her teammates improve," Gor said.

On top of all that, Martinez maintains a 3.9 grade point average.

She'll compete in the girls state championships on Saturday at Vallejo High. There, she'll likely face Vallejo's Elizabeth Bustamonte, the state's second-ranked 114-pounder. Other Northern California girls ranked in her weight class are Jessica Ortiz (Hogan of Valley, fifth), Alex Tolero (St. Patrick of Vallejo, sixth) and Chelsea Grasseschi (Castro Valley, seventh).

After Saturday's meet, Sacred Heart Cathedral hosts Riordan Wednesday starting at 5 p.m.

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Sibling support: Beckers make wrestling a family affair

Dave Ricci
Thursday, January 27, 2005

Star siblings are nothing new to the Tonawandas.

But Tonawanda High School students Jason and Heather Becker are part of a unique fraternity. They are one of the few, if not the only, brother-sister combination in Western New York who compete side-by-side on their school’s varsity wrestling team.

That’s right, wrestling.

It may be unusual, but, as Jason will tell you, it has its benefits.

“I don’t have to remember as much stuff to tell my parents,” Jason joked about Heather sharing responsibilities to keep their family informed with daily team news.

“Heather reminds me at home of the things I need to do and things I shouldn’t do.”

Though Heather can handle herself on the mat, the more-experienced Jason aids his older sister whenever possible.

“I have more wrestling experience, so I can kind of help her out with the things she doesn’t know. So when I can. I do look out for her to make sure she’s all right,” Jason said.

Heather said her opponents are sometimes stunned to be facing a female, but it’s never been a big issue.

“Once we get out on the mat, we’re all wrestlers and nobody really notices it, far as I know. I mean, I don’t know the guys’ point of view. They don’t go easy on me,” said Heather, who appreciates how the competition is helping to prepare her for the women’s wrestling team at Cumberland College in Kentucky.

The Cumberland Patriots boast one of the nation’s most impressive women’s wrestling squads, including Toccara Montgomery of Cleveland, who represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.

There's more to this story! See today's copy of the Tonawanda News for the rest. Or call 693-1005 to subscribe.

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Olympic athletes add lustre

Medallists Tonya Verbeek and Karen Cockburn were head-table guests at the St. Thomas dinner

By KATHY RUMLESKI -- London Free Press 1/28/05

ST. THOMAS -- The road to Beijing begins at Western this weekend for Olympic silver-medal wrestler Tonya Verbeek.

The Western Open is the first competition for Verbeek -- a Beamsville native, who won silver in the 55-kilogram class at the Athens Olympics -- since she broke her ankle in November.

"I'm getting my feet wet. I began training again last month. This will be good for me. It's a challenge," said Verbeek, a head-table guest at the 27th annual St. Thomas Sports Spectacular dinner yesterday at St. Anne's Centre.

She will compete for Brock University in the 57-kilogram class at the Western Open, which will be held tomorrow at Thames Hall at 9:30 a.m.

Verbeek has benefited from recent funding announced by the federal government and is receiving $1,500 monthly to help with training costs.

It's money she hopes will help get her to international meets and then to the next Olympics in 2008 in Beijing.

"The next four years . . . there are world championships every year. I want to (win) a medal there every year heading into the Olympics," she said.

Women's wrestling debuted in Athens and Verbeek said people are much more educated about the sport following the Olympics.

"It's important for kids to see what other sports are out there and not just the basic ones," she said.

Another sport that hit Canadians' radar screens due to the Olympic success of Toronto's Karen Cockburn is trampoline.

Cockburn, also a dinner guest, won a silver medal in Athens and a bronze in Sydney in the sport in which athletes twist and somersault and are judged on the difficulty, execution and form of their routines.

She said before she won her second medal -- becoming the 69th Summer athlete to win multiple Olympic medals for Canada -- she was often asked if she trained on a trampoline in her backyard.

Now she's seen increases in the numbers entering the sport.

"People realize how exciting it is. They can see how demanding a sport it is. There's been a little more respect gained for it," she said.

Cockburn said she was a gymnast and diver using the trampoline as a training tool when she decided to switch disciplines.

"I realized it was a sport I could compete in."

And she's still competing, but is undecided about continuing until the Beijing Olympics.

"It depends where I am in life and what opportunities come my way," Cockburn said.

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Vikings lose two of three at NAIA National Duals

Thursday, January 27, 2005
By Chris Allen/Sports Editor

CLEVELAND -- There are two ways of looking at the Missouri Valley College men's wrestling team's performance Sunday at the Cliff Keen NWCA/NAIA National Duals at Cleveland, where it dropped two of three contests against fellow national powers.
The charitable version is that it was only a series of mid-season dual matches, that the Vikings are a stronger tournament team and that some of Valley's best -- including juniors Jory Dick and Kiel Giese -- were not in the lineup.

On the other hand, a program as proud as MVC's -- a perennial title contender -- likes to shine on a large stage, especially given chances for some individual athletes to put themselves into better seeding positions for the NAIA Championships in March.

Sophomore Julie Duarte (top) recorded a pin for the Lady Vikings during the NWCA National Duals.

The second-ranked Vikings won only two bouts during a 27-6 loss to No. 1 Lindenwood -- which swept the round-robin event, while the other three teams each went 1-2 -- came back to nip No. 2 Montana State-Northern, 19-18, and fell to No. 7 Cumberland (Ky.), 18-11.

Valley's clash with the Lions began well enough, with junior Nate Engel edging top-ranked senior Andrew Bradbury, 2-1, at 125 pounds, but then came six straight losses until senior Mario Thomas (184 pounds) upset junior Ryan Luna, 7-3. Among those taking hits were a former national champion -- senior Tyson Biddle (149). In no instance, though, did Lindenwood (1-0) pull off an upset of a Viking ranked higher in the same weight class.

The Northern Lights (10-3) won six of the first eight bouts, recovering from Engel's win by fall in the opener and junior Donaco Watts 5-3 decision at 165 to take an 18-12 lead. Valley rallied at the end, though, with sophomore Shane Hall (197) notching a 14-5 major decision and senior heavyweight Gilbert Jones recording the match-winner in double overtime, 7-6.

The Vikings won four of the 10 rounds against Cumberland, the Patriots (9-2) also not knocking off a high-ranked opponent. The closest that came to happening was Halls' 4-3 loss to No. 1 junior Eric Flinchum. Valley got its wins from senior Paul Collum (141), Biddle, Watts and Thomas -- all by decision.

Following a home dual Friday against MacMurray (Ill.), the Vikings (7-3) will be back in tournament action Sunday during their MVC Open.

Valley women fall to Cumberland

CLEVELAND -- When it comes to women's college wrestling, it's Missouri Valley, Cumberland (Ky.) and then all the rest.

The top-ranked Lady Patriots raced through a younger Valley squad, No. 2 in TheMat.com poll, by a 29-3 margin Sunday during the NWCA National Duals at Cleveland. How strong are these two programs? Consider that when their "B" squads went head to head -- the Lady Vikings winning, 25-10 -- there were seven nationally-rated grapplers on the mat. This is without each team's leading performer -- Cumberland senior Tocarra Montgomery, a U.S. OIympic team member, and MVC sophomore Stephany Lee (see below) -- were absent.

The Lady Patriots boasted a lineup of four No. 1 wrestlers, the remaining four rated between second and fourth. To counter that, Valley had all underclassmen -- the highest ranked being No. 2 sophomore Maika Watanabe, who won her 51-kilogram bout with fourth-ranked freshman Deseree Cazares, 1-1, 4-0.

There weren't any upsets on the mat, Cumberland (7-0) -- which had already won two dual tournaments, while the Lady Vikings were making their season debut -- tallying four pins. Valley took four of the six B-team duels -- junior Tabithia Ramsey (51 Kg), sophomore Julie Duarte (55) and freshman Rachel Billerbeck (63) posting decisions.

The Lady Vikings got a convincing 26-10 victory over USOEC, a group of Olympic program trainees. Freshman Sadie Kaneka (48) and junior Brooke Bogren (63) pinning their foes and freshman Astrid Gomez (59) and junior Kelly Branham (67) winning on points.

Valley will return to action this weekend at the Regina (Sask.) Duals.

Lee touring Russia with U.S. team

Missouri Valley College's Stephany Lee is part of the U.S. Women's World Team currently touring Russia for a series of matches.

Lee, a 72-kilogram sophomore from Honolulu, Hawaii, won gold medals at the World Women's and Pan American Championships since missing the Olympic team cut with a loss to veteran Tocarra Montgomery. She has also been invited to attend the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., but has declined in order to remain at Valley to seek her degree.

Lee arrived in Moscow Sunday and was scheduled to take part in a Wednesday meet at Novisibirsk before returning to Marshall next Tuesday.

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A new standard: Marshwood’s Rix first Maine girl to reach 100 wrestling wins

By MARK QUIRK

Staff Sports Writer 1/28/05

Marshwood's Deanna Rix, left, wraps up Noble's Heath DeVoll during the 130-pound match of Thursday night's wrestling meet at Barry S. Moore Memorial Gym in North Berwick. (Josh Gibney/Democrat photo)

NORTH BERWICK, Maine — Shortly after picking up the 100th win of her wrestling career, Marshwood High School’s Deanna Rix rushed off the mat and embraced her father and coach, Matt Rix.

The two hugged for just a moment and then Coach Rix did something not many in the state have been able to do over the last four years — he broke free from Deanna’s grasp and went back to coaching his meet.

On Thursday night Deanna became the first girl wrestler in the state, and possibly the country, to win 100 career matches. She did so when she beat Noble’s Heath DeVoll in a 5-2 decision at the 130-pound weight class.

The Class A meet, which was won by Noble, was interrupted momentarily so Deanna’s accomplishment could be recognized. She took center stage for a moment, hugged her father, and then it was back to business as usual.

"It was my first goal I set for myself (this year)," Deanna Rix said about her 100th win. "To do it against our rivals was that much better."

Deanna is the 18th Marshwood wrestler to achieve 100 career wins and the second one to do so this month. She will be wrestling at the University of Michigan next year on a full scholarship and is now 14-0 on the season.

"That’s really something," Noble coach Kip DeVoll said. "She’s helped break down a lot of barriers and win a lot of matches."

Deanna has always been dedicated to a sport geared more for boys, and has excelled at it through hard work. She started wrestling at the age of 5 and has stuck with it all along.

It surely wasn’t easy sticking with such an unorthodox sport over the years. Still, Deanna has remained focused and worked on her skills all along while gaining both local and national attention for her efforts.

"She’s been doing this since she was 4 or 5 and stayed with it," Coach Rix said. "She’s worked hard. Her technique is good and her movement is there."

Matt has helped her with every step along the way, and now the two spend almost every day on the mat together. It’s no wonder why he was the first one Deanna sought out after being recognized for the accomplishment.

"I’m very proud," Matt Rix said. "Day in and day out I see her on the mat and probably don’t appreciate it as much as my assistant does."

This isn’t only a big accomplishment for Deanna herself, but it’s also a huge stride for girls in the sport of wrestling. Matt views his daughter as a role model to younger girls across the state and sees the way some of them look up to her during meets.

Deanna knows this as well. She says girls often come up to her and tell her she’s the reason they got into wrestling and that she’s inspired them to stick with it. She has a message she gives each and every one of them.

"It feels good," Deanna said about having fans. "I tell them to stick with it and give it their best."

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Marshwood’s Rix gains 100th win

By Associated Press 1/29/05

Marshwood High School's Deanna Rix is congratulated by Noble High School's wrestling coach after winning in the 130-pound class against Noble's Heath Devoll for her 100th victory on Tursday. She bacame the first female interscholasitc wrestler in Maine to reach the milestone. AP photo

PORTLAND, Maine - Deanna Rix slipped off her headphones, tucked her blond hair under a tight skullcap and walked onto the mat.
A few minutes later, she defeated Noble’s Heath DeVoll 5-2 in the 130-pound weight class to capture her 100th high school wrestling victory. She became the first female interscholastic wrestler in Maine to reach the milestone.

The 100th win Thursday night achieves the Marshwood High School student’s first goal. The next goal, she said, is to win the state tournament.

"Im proud of this as a dad," said Rix’s father, Matt, the wrestling coach at Marshwood. "Probably because it’s never been done before. It was nice to see the hard work, dedication and determination pay off for her."

Her 100th career win was also her 22nd of the season. She’s 16-0 at 130 and 6-1 at 135. In the win over DeVoll, Rix took a 2-1 lead after the first period on a two-point takedown, then recorded a one-point escape and a two-point takedown in the second.

DeVoll recorded his only points on an escape.

"Deanna, she’s a defensive wrestler," DeVoll said. "She waits for you to do something and she’ll counter with something else."

Because girls’ participation in wrestling is so new, official records for the sport have not been established in Maine or nationwide.

"For a female wrestler, to go against males, this (100 wins) has happened, but it’s not common," said Kent Bailo, founder of the U.S. Girls Wrestling Association in Ortonville, Mich.

In 1998, Casey Barnoski of Kalamazoo, Mich., finished her career with 125 wins at Comstock Park High School. Barnoski competed in the 119- and 125-pound weight classes.

It’s still a rarity for girls to participate in traditionally male-dominated sports such as hockey, wrestling and football, partly because there’s a preconceived notion that competing against a boy is unsavory for a girl - not to mention awkward.

"At 13, 14 or 15, does a girl want to be in physical contact with a boy?" Bailo asked. "You’ve got to be pioneerish in your mindset. And boys, they don’t want to wrestle a girl."

Rix started wrestling at age 4. Nearly 14 years and 100 wins later, Rix stripped off her skullcap, shook hands with DeVoll and the Noble coaches, and walked off the mat to her teammates, having reached her goal.

Rix will attend Northern Michigan University on a full scholarship for wrestling in the fall.

"People have said to me, ‘You’ve inspired me to wrestle,’" Rix said after the match. "People have sent me e-mails and cards telling me this, and kids send me pictures of them wrestling. And it inspires me."

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