News Page
4/29/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
Two members of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team in freestyle wrestling claimed individual titles at the U.S. National Wrestling Championships at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., April 29.
The Olympians claiming titles were Joe Williams, (Ames, Iowa /Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Williams won his sixth career U.S. Nationals, edging Kirk White (Tacoma, Wash./Bronco WC), 4-1, 1-1, 2-1 in the finals. Williams captured the first period, but White won the second period on a tiebreaker at 1-1 by scoring the last point. Williams claimed the match with his 2-1 third period victory. Williams was fifth at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Cormier defeated Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-0 in the championship finals. It was his third straight U.S. Nationals title. Cormier was fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Nine weight divisions were contested on Friday, using the new rules of international wrestling. Under the new format, each weight class is contested in a single day. There were three weight classes in each of the men’s freestyle, men’s Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle wrestling.
An Olympian was defeated in the finals at 59 kg/130 lbs., in the women’s division, however. 2003 World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) edged 2004 Olympian Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in three periods, 4-0, 0-1, 2-1.
Roberts won the first period, but O’Donnell came back to take the second period. In the deciding third period, Roberts scored two points on a crotch lift, and O’Donnell rolled through to secure a one-point takedown for the deciding 2-1 margin. It was Roberts’ second career U.S. Nationals title. O’Donnell was a 2003 U.S. Nationals champion.
At 67 kg/147.5 lbs. in women’s wrestling, two-time World champion Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) defeated longtime rival and two-time World Team Trials champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-0. It was Marano’s seventh career U.S. Nationals title. Downing was a 2003 U.S. Nationals champion.
Three other wrestlers who were past U.S. Nationals champions were able to secure another title this year.
At 51 kg/112.25 lbs. in women’s wrestling, 2000 World silver medalist Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) defeated defending champion Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo.(Sunkist Kids) in two straight periods, 1-0, 2-0. It was Murata’s eighth U.S. Nationals title, but her first since 2002. Ripley had won the U.S. Nationals title the last two years (2003, 2004).
Claiming the U.S. Nationals title for the second straight year at 74 kg/163 lbs. in Greco-Roman was Darryl Christian (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) who defeated young challenger Jacob Volkmann (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm), 1-0, 1-0.
Also winning a second Greco-Roman national title in a row was Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. in Greco-Roman. Ruiz stopped Adam Wheeler (San Diego, Calif./Gator WC), 1-0, 1-0. Ruiz was second at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Claiming their first career U.S. Nationals titles were Joe Warren (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. in Greco-Roman wrestling, and Michael Lightner (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs. in men’s freestyle wrestling.
Warren, who was second at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials won his first U.S. Nationals title by winning two straight periods over Jacob Hey (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Air Force), 1-0, 5-0. Warren was the No. 1 seed in the weight.
Lightner needed the full three periods to defeat college star Nate Gallick (Tucson, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) in the finals, 0-1, 3-0, 1-0. The bout went down to the leg clinch in the deciding third period, with the score of the period tied 0-0. Lightner won the flip and secured the leg, and took down Gallick for the takedown and the deciding 1-0 third period victory.
In the quarterfinals, earlier in the day, Lightner, who was seeded eighth, upset 2004 Olympic silver medalist Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids), the No. 1 seed. He reached the finals with a win over No. 4 Celso DeAnda (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC).
The remaining 12 weight classes will be contested on Saturday, four divisions in each style.
Senior Women
Live-Time Women's Finals
48 | 51 | 55 | 59 | 63 | 67 | 72
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Final seeds for U.S. Senior National Championships in freestyle, Greco-Roman and women
4/28/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
WOMEN’S FREESTYLE
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
1. Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
2. Laura Felix, Bakersfield, Calif. (Cal-Bakersfield)
3. Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Ill. (Gator WC)
4. Sadie Kaneda, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
5. Rachel Holthaus, Little Falls, Minn. (High Flyers)
6. Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (Cumberland College)
7.Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
8. Hana Askren, Los Angles, Calif. (Santa Monica Bay)
51 kg/112.25 lbs.
1. Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo.(Sunkist Kids)
4. Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (New York AC)
5. Kapua Torres, Kahuku, Hawaii (Pacific)
6. Debbi Sakai, Miliani, Hawaii (New York AC)
7. Maika Watanabe, Napa, Calif. (Missouri Valley)
8. Cheryl Wong, Croton, N.Y. (unattached)
55 kg/121 lbs.
1. Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
2. Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Sharon Jacobsen, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC)
4. Danyelle Hedin, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC)
5. Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
6. Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
7.Clarissa Calibuso, Waipahu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
8. Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC)
59 kg/130 lbs.
1. Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
2. Tela O'Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Brandy Rosenbrock, Harrison, Mich. (USOEC)
4. Suekoiyla Shelly, Hurst, Texas (New York AC)
5. Brooke Bogren, Burlingame, Kan. (Missouri Valley)
6. Deanna Rix, South Berwick, Maine (SMT)
7. Amberle Montgomery, Skillicom, Wash. (Toro)
8. Leigh Jaynes, Burlington, N.J. (New York AC)
63 kg/138.5 lbs.
1. Alaina Berube, Escanaba,Mich. (New York AC)
2. Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (KT Kidz)
4. Jackie Cataline, Corona, Calif. (Cataline’s Wildcats)
5. Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
6. Ashley Sword, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
7. Vanessa Oswalt, Mount Vernon, Ohio (SW Force)
8. Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
67 kg/147.5 lbs.
1. Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
2. Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC)
4. Kelly Branham, Apache Junction, Ariz. (Missouri Valley)
5. Shelly Ruberg, Williamsburg, Ky. (Cumberland College)
6. K’uu Johnson, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC)
7. Cindy Herceg, Los Angeles, Calif. (Santa Monica Bay)
8. Andrea Hale, Chicago, Ill. (Lassen College)
72 kg/158.5 lbs.
1. Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ of Regina)
2. Samantha Lang, Tualatin, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
4. Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (USOEC)
5. Elena Mena, St. Paul, Minn. (Westside/Westend)
6. Donell Bradley, Aiea, Hawaii (USOEC)
7. Toni Copeland, McDonough, N.Y. (Shamrock)
8. Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (Cumberland College)
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Las Vegas Wrestling Notebook for Thursday, April 28
4/28/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
NEW AND DIFFERENT THINGS IN VEGAS
The U.S. National Championships has been held in Las Vegas, Nev. almost every year for two decades, becoming a tradition within wrestling on the annual event schedule. Those who are attending the competition this week will be seeing some new things, as well as some different things than the past.
The new rules of international wrestling are already on display, as the FILA Junior National Championships are utilizing the regulations. The FILA Junior Greco-Roman tournament is being held today. These new rules will be used on Friday and Saturday for the first time at the U.S. Senior Nationals.
Matches are six minutes long. A wrestler must win two of three periods. You can win a period with a six-point lead, or by hitting a five-point throw, or by hitting two three-point throws. An athlete can’t step out of bounds, or he/she loses a point. On the Senior level, each weight class competition lasts just one day.
Pairing officials and USA Wrestling staff are working on how to best report the results from the event in a way that is understood. There is a new computer program being used by event staff and pairings officials for the new rules. Follow TheMat.com for these updates all weekend.
The FILA Junior Nationals, for the nation’s best 17-20 year olds, has been added to the schedule this year. It is the first time since 1988 at this age group has held its nationals alongside the Senior Nationals. In addition to seeing the top Olympic-level wrestlers, fans will see talented college and high school wrestlers battling for spots in the FILA Junior World Team Trials. Many of these athletes are expected to be challengers for future Olympic teams.
With the Western Junior Regionals going on, fans are seeing the new rules and old rules side by side. In some cases, they are seeing freestyle and Greco-Roman at the same time as well. This morning, there was the FILA Junior Greco-Roman tournament, using the new rules, on the mats at the same time as the Western Junior Freestyle championships, using the old rules.
This is also the first year that USA Wrestling did a pre-seed for the U.S. Nationals, with a series of conference calls held on Tuesday with a five-member committee in each styles. These seeds can change if an athlete does not make weight or does not show up, or if there is a two-thirds vote of coaches at the seeding meeting for each style. Watch TheMat.com for any changes to the seeds, starting this evening.
BROTHER/SISTER NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Elijah Hutchison of Soldotna, Alaska won a gold medal at the FILA Junior Greco-Roman Nationals today, winning the 60 kg/132 lbs. title with a 1-3, 4-0, 1-0 decision over Travis Lang of Minnesota.
He became the second family member to win a USA Wrestling age-group national title this spring. His younger sister Michaela Hutchison was a champion at the Body Bar FILA Cadet Nationals in San Diego, Calif. earlier this month.
The Hutchison family also had a rare feat on the state level this year. Elijah and Michaela became the first brother/sister combination to compete in a high school state finals side-by-side. At the Alaska High School state meet, Elijah was the champion and Michaela was a runner-up this year. No girl has ever won a high school state title competing against boys, so Michaela matched the best finish ever for a high school girl.
The Hutchison kids are coached by their dad, Mike, who is also the USA Wrestling state chairperson in Alaska. They have an older sister Melina, who was also a nationally ranked wrestler for many years.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, IT'S A WONDERFUL TOWN
A group of 26 athletes from New York City are in Las Vegas for the Western Junior Regionals, as part of the “Beat the Streets program” developed by the Metropolitan Wrestling Association, an allied member of USA Wrestling.
This group of athletes are competing with intensity and skill, as the sport of wrestling is getting a foothold in one of the world’s largest cities.
In the Greco-Roman division, three of the New York City kids were placewinners. Peter Morales was sixth at 98 pounds, Jonathon Soto was sixth at 105 pounds and Michael Stanley was fourth at 275 pounds. So far on Thursday, the New York kids are winning many matches in the freestyle division.
Larry Cantor, the PSAL wrestling commissioner, is leading the group of wrestlers. He has been pleased with their wrestling, as well as the experience of bringing the inner city kids to Las Vegas to experience a national event.
MIXED DAY OF ALL LEVELS
Thursday is the mixed up day at Las Vegas. The Junior Regionals is going on, with many of the best high school wrestlers in the nation in action. The FILA Junior Nationals has begun, with top young college wrestlers and high school stars in battle. The U.S. Senior Nationals begins tonight, with weigh-ins for half of the weight classes.
Milling around, walking among the athletes and coaches, are people involved in wrestling at all levels, from age-group programs through college and on to the Olympic level.
An example is Tom Brands, the head coach at Virginia Tech. He was here on Wednesday, watching some of his talented high school recruits who will join his team in the fall. He also has an athlete competing in the FILA Junior tournament from his college team. And as a club coach, Brands will be working with some of the Senior athletes who will be competing in the U.S. Freestyle Nationals. Brands was an Olympic Coach in 2004, working with our successful freestyle team in Athens, Greece.
There are numerous past World and Olympic medallists at the event, many coaching younger athletes or Senior level wrestlers. Others are here just to enjoy the action and spend time with their peers.
No event brings together all levels of wrestling like this one, except maybe the ASICS Junior/Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D. where many college coaches go to recruit.