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World Team Trials preview at 55 kg/121 lbs. in women’s freestyle wrestling
5/31/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
The dominant wrestler at the 55 kg/121 lbs. division in women’s wrestling in recent seasons has been Tina George of the New York AC, who won World silver medals in both 2002 and 2003. George fell short of her goal of winning an Olympic medal, when she was defeated in the 2004 Olympic Team Trials by the surprising Tela O’Donnell, who now competes for the Sunkist Kids. Rather than walk away from the sport, George has come back with a vengeance, and seems to be wrestling as well as she can this season.
She won five straight international titles with the new rules this year, then added the gold medal at the U.S. Nationals to claim the No. 1 seed going into the World Team Trials. George has learned to use the new rules to her advantage, as it is very difficult for her opponents to win more than one period against her in any match. George has decided to make another run at the 2008 Olympic Team, and aims to win World medals as she moves towards that goal.
O’Donnell did not enter the U.S. Nationals at 55 kg this year, moving up to 59 kg/130 lbs. for the U.S. Nationals, where she placed second. Whether or not O’Donnell drops back down in weight is yet to be seen. If she does come back to 55 kg, O’Donnell is the heavy favorite to win the Challenge Tournament and give George another tough test.
The other strong force in the Challenge Tournament is Marcie Van Dusen of the Sunkist Kids, who placed second behind George at the U.S. Nationals this year. Van Dusen has been successful in recent seasons since becoming a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete. She won a University World Championships gold medal last summer, and has had much success on international tours. She has the skill, experience and confidence to push George hard in every match. She will have to emerge from the Challenge Tournament to have another chance for a breakthrough win over George.
One of the top athletes this season at the division has been Sharon Jacobson of the USOEC, who captured third at the U.S. Nationals. Jacobson’s only loss in Las Vegas came in the semifinals against Van Dusen, but it was not a close bout. Jacobson won a bronze medal at the New York AC Christmas International, and has shown improvement during her first year at the Northern Michigan program.
A surprise fourth-place finish was turned in at the U.S. Nationals by high school star LeAnn Barney of Rock Wrestling. This was clearly her best national-level performance, and included three straight wins in the consolation rounds. Her best finish prior to her breakthrough in Las Vegas was a bronze medal at the 2005 FILA Junior Nationals. Barney has proven that she is tough, but will have to be ready for additional challenges in Ames.
Another high school star who has had a strong season is Chelynne Pringle of the Minnesota Storm, who was fifth at the U.S. Nationals. Pringle was second at the FILA Junior Nationals and had a win over Jacobson at the New York AC Christmas International. Making rapid progress since joining the USOEC program this year was Amy Borgnini, who was sixth at the U.S. Nationals. Borgnini has wrestled in numerous events this year, showing improvement as she went along.
The final qualifier for the World Team Trials from the U.S. Nationals was Danyelle Hedin of the USOEC, who placed seventh. Hedin had a No. 4 seed at the U.S. Nationals, so her finish was a bit disappointing. Hedin won the 2005 FILA Junior Nationals, and has developed a reputation for being a very good upperbody wrestler with great throws. The World Team Trials will give Hedin another opportunity to test herself at this level and see how far she can go in the standings.
Earning a spot in the Challenge Tournament by winning the Rocky Mountain Regionals is Tina Pihl of the New York AC, who is a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Pihl tried out for both the U.S. and Canadian Olympic teams, because of dual citizenship, and she made a strong run at the Canadian Trials. Pihl has made progress, but has yet to defeat one of the top stars in the weight class to this point.
As long as Tina George continues to compete and train hard, she will be a powerful force in this division. The only athlete who has shown an ability to beat George has been Olympian Tela O’Donnell, who has been competing up at 59 kg. Marcie Van Dusen has earned the right to believe that she might be the next person to defeat George in the future. A variety of young athletes are also beginning to make their mark at 55 kg, but their best chance for success may be in the future rather than right now. This weight class can be a medal winner for the USA in World competition, and the athlete who emerges from Ames will be expected to do well internationally.
2005 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS AT 55 KG/121 LBS.
1st – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 4-0, 2-1
3rd – Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC) dec. LeAnn Barney, Austin, Texas (Rock Wrestling), 7-0, 6-6
5th – Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC), 3-1, 2-2
7th - Danyelle Hedin, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC) pin Clarissa Calibuso, Waipahu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley), 0-3, 1:06
QUALIFIERS FOR 2005 WORLD TEAM TRIALS AT 55 KG/121 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place – Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place – LeAnn Barney, Austin, Texas (Rock Wrestling)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place – Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minn. Storm)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place – Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place – Dany Hedin, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC)
Rocky Mountain Regional Champion – Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Northern Plains Regional Champion – No entry at this weight class
Olympic Team member – Tela O’Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
Past World Team member – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
’04 Sunkist Kids International champion – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
’04 NYAC Christmas Open champion – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 2 yrs) –
*’03 Henri Deglane Challenge gold medalist – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Dave Schultz WC)
*’04 Kiev Grand Prix silver medalist – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
*’04 World Cup silver medalist - Tela O’Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
*’04 Henri Deglane Challenge bronze medalist – Laura Felix, Bakersfield Calif. (Cal-State Bakersfield)
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National champions Q&A: Tina George
5/31/2005
John Fuller/TheMat.com
Many media members put Tina George on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team before she actually earned the spot. In the Olympic Trials, she was defeated by Tela O'Donnell for a birth on the first-ever women's Olympic team in wrestling.
After recovering from those tough losses, George, a two-time World silver medalist, is back on track to represent the U.S. She captured her second consecutive U.S. Nationals title at 55 kg/121 lbs. this year and is hungry to get back on the U.S. World Team.
TheMat.com sat down with George and spoke with her about those losses at the Olympic Trials, and her future within wrestling.
TheMat.com: You’ve not won two straight U.S. Nationals titles and three overall. Do you feel yourself separating more from your competition?
George: I hope to separate myself from my opponents, but I am not quite there yet. I am more focused on the fact that I have not gone to the World Championships and Olympics after winning the last two titles.
TheMat.com: Has your motivation for this year come from not being on the Olympic Team last year or have you put it behind you?
George: I don't think it is possible to completely put missing the team behind me. I have however refocused on my goal of a World Championship and Olympic championship. Missing the team was a major setback but wrestling is about overcoming adversity and I hope to turn last year’s disappointment into a motivational story in 2008.
TheMat.com: In your mind, how would you have done at the Olympic Games last year?
George: After comparing my past results with those that won medals I feel confident that I would have been in a great position to bring home another medal.
TheMat.com: What have you learned from your experiences last year?
George: I learned to give my best day in and day out and to enjoy the thrill of wrestling. Most importantly, I learned to rebound from adversity with integrity and determination.
TheMat.com: How has the Army's World-Class Athlete Program (WCAP) helped you throughout your career?
George: WCAP has provided not only myself but other athletes the opportunity to compete on the international level. While competing, we represent a positive image of the Army around the world as well a provide the Army with a useful recruiting tool.
TheMat.com: What are your thoughts on the new rules?
George: I think that the new rule are beneficial to my particular style of wrestling which as very aggressive. I am more excited about wrestling all of the matches in one day. The new rules force weight control for optimal performance which I think is most beneficial to me.
TheMat.com: How much longer do you plan to compete?
George: I can only say that I am committing through the 2008 Olympics.
TheMat.com: Where do you see women's wrestling being at in another four years, after it will be in its second Olympic Games?
George: I see the technical aspect of women's wrestling developing at a very fast pace. Already the technical aspect has changed tremendously and shows a growing number of participants.
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H.R. No. 1441
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Tressa Yocum of El Paso has captured her second
consecutive state wrestling title, a noteworthy achievement for
this talented student-athlete, and it is a pleasure to honor her for
this feat as well as her other athletic achievements; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Yocum is a senior at Eastwood High School, where
she excels in soccer, volleyball, and wrestling; after winning her
second state wrestling title, she was profiled in Sports
Illustrated's long-running "Faces in the Crowd" feature, a
highlight in this youngster's already prolific career; and
WHEREAS, Few wrestlers have dominated their sport as
thoroughly as Ms. Yocum; the five-time tournament MVP has pinned
all 75 of her opponents over the past two seasons and has earned
scholarship offers from at least two schools; and
WHEREAS, Despite her success on the mat, Ms. Yocum considers
soccer her first love; the midfielder earned an honorable mention
for the All-City soccer team and hopes to pursue the sport in
college; she was also selected to the El Paso Times All-City
volleyball first team this year; and
WHEREAS, Tressa Yocum exhibits a praiseworthy commitment to
excellence in all that she attempts, and she merits special
commendation for her achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize Tressa Yocum for her many successes in
high school athletics and extend to her best wishes for the future;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Yocum as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Chavez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1441 was adopted by the House on May
13, 2005, by a non-record vote.