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World Team Trials preview at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. in women’s freestyle wrestling

6/8/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

The 2004 Olympic Games were just months ago, when veteran U.S. star Sara McMann of the Sunkist Kids won a silver medal in the first appearance of women wrestlers in Olympic history in Athens, Greece. McMann has not competed since her historic performance and was not at the U.S. Nationals this year. If McMann continues on the sidelines, this weight class opens up for a new athlete to carry U.S. hopes into the World Championships.

Last year, the top seed at the Olympic Trials at this division was Kristie Marano of the New York AC, the two-time World champion who pinned McMann in the 2004 U.S. Nationals finals. Marano missed weight at the Olympic Team Trials, and was forced to move up to 72 kg, where she placed second and missed her chance for the Olympic team. Marano is back on the mats after missing the winter season with an injury, but is competing up at 67 kg for the time being. It is possible that Marano may choose to drop back down to 63 kg for the World Team Trials, which would make her a strong favorite here.

2005 U.S. Nationals champion is Alaina Berube of the New York AC, a college star who was second to McMann at the 2004 Olympic Trials. Berube continues to improve on the mat, and is perhaps the top star on the college scene, competing for Cumberland College, not only beating domestic opponents but also earning wins against top foreign athletes.

In the U.S. Nationals finals, Berube beat veteran Kaci Lyle of the Sunkist Kids for the gold. Lyle has made the U.S. Nationals finals a number of times, but still seeks her first title. Lyle is a USOTC resident athlete who has considerable international experience, including competing on the U.S. World Cup team this year. She has the ability to win this division, if she can put together a strong tournament from start to finish.

The big new surprise in women’s wrestling is Jackie Cataline of Cataline’s Wildcats, a high school athlete who came from nowhere to win the FILA Cadet and FILA Junior Nationals this year. Cataline then entered her first Senior level events and placed third at the U.S. Nationals, beating some quality athletes along the way. Taking fourth in Las Vegas was another top prep star, Stefenie Shaw of KT Kidz, who has been successful at the Senior level the last two seasons. Shaw placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis last year, the most impressive showing of any of the high school women in the field there.

Na’Tasha Umemoto, the 2004 national champion at 59 kg, has been at 63 kg this year, placing sixth at the U.S. Nationals. If she stays up here, she makes this division even tougher. Umemoto lost to Cataline in both the FILA Junior Nationals and the U.S. Nationals. When she is wrestling well, Umemoto can dominate a tournament. However, she has seemed to have consistency problems this season.

Placing fifth at the U.S. Nationals was up-and-coming college wrestler Rachel Billerbeck of Missouri Valley College. Of the newcomers to women’s college wrestling, Billerbeck had one of the best seasons this year, and has great potential for improvement. Another collegian, Laurin Daniels of Menlo College, qualified for the Ames field in Las Vegas by placing seventh in the tournament. Daniels is also making a name for herself this year as a college freshman.

Tori Adams of the Sunkist Kids, who has been a Junior World medalist and Women’s Team USA member, is also in the field and will be a dangerous draw if she is wrestling at her best. Adams won the Sunkist Kids International this fall, and has considerable experience in comparison to many of the others in the division. Another qualifier for the tournament was Regional champion Bethany Harris of the No Mercy WC, a top high school prospect.

This weight class has many possibilities, starting with the unlikely return of McMann to the mats. If Marano decides to get down to this division, she becomes a strong favorite. Berube has proven to be the best wrestler in the nation at this class all year long, but should expect a strong challenge from both veterans Lyle and Adams, as well as young stars Cataline, Shaw, Billerbeck and Umemoto. Expect some interesting results and outstanding action at 63 kg this year.

2005 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS AT 63 KG/138.75 LBS.
1st – Alaina Berube, Escanaba,Mich. (New York AC) pin Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1:36
3rd – Jackie Cataline, Corona, Calif. (Cataline’s Wildcats) dec. Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (KT Kidz), 3-0, 2-0
5th –Rachel Billerbeck, Pflugerville, Texas (Missouri Valley College) pin Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids), 1:38
7th – Laurin Daniels, Vashon Island, Wash. (Menlo College) dec. Megan Nevill , Claire, Mich. (Cumberland College), 6-0, 4-1

QUALIFIERS FOR 2005 WORLD TEAM TRIALS AT 63 KG/138.75 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place – Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place – Jackie Cataline, Corona, Calif. (Cataline’s Wildcats)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place – Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (KT Kidz)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place – Rachel Billerback, Pflugerville, Texas (Missouri Valley)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place – Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place – Laurin Daniels, Vashin Island, Wash. Menlo College
Rocky Mountain Regional Champion – Bethany Harris, Valley Center, Calif. (No Mercy WC)
Northern Plains Regional Champion – No entry at this weight class
Olympic Team member – Sara McMann, Lock Haven, Pa. (Sunkist Kids)
Past World Team member – None at this weight class
’04 Sunkist Kids International champion – Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’04 NYAC Christmas Open champion – Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion - Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 2 yrs) –
*’03 World Cup silver medalist – Sara McMann, Lock Haven, Pa. (Sunkist Kids)
*’04 Henri Deglane Challenge gold medalist - Tela O’Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
*’05 Gilbert Schaub Open bronze medalist - Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (KT Kidz)

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National Champions Q&A: Alaina Berube

6/8/2005
John Fuller/TheMat.com

Women’s wrestling has reached new heights. Following its first appearance in the Olympic Games, there is more pressure on younger women to develop and compete at high levels more quickly.

Alaina Berube of the New York Athletic Club is no exception. Berube is the new face at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. after winning the U.S. Nationals. Last year, Sara McMann won an Olympic silver medal at this weight before defeating Berube in the Olympic Trials finals.

Now Berube is gaining confidence and looking to become the leader of a new era of women’s wrestlers.

TheMat.com sat down with Berube and spoke to her about her development and what has made her better.

TheMat.com: Last year was kind of a coming out party for you. With that in mind, how important was it for you to come away with the national title this year to continue your development?
Berube: It was important because it was one more step towards making the World Team and then maybe the Olympic Team.

TheMat.com: Describe the difference in now knowing that everyone is gunning for you to try to get to that top spot?
Berube: I’m training harder now because I’m the one to beat and it motivates me more.

TheMat.com: In the last year, what do you think you have improved on the most?
Berube: I have a better understanding of the rules and learning how to use the rules to my advantage. I don’t have to score a million points, I just have to win by one.

TheMat.com: Your weight class at the U.S. Nationals was relatively young. Do you expect to see any of the more experienced women jump back into your weight class at the Trials?
Berube: I would expect that some of them would feel they have a better chance of placing top three at my weight class than placing top three at a non-Olympic weight class.

TheMat.com: How much has being at Cumberland College helped you to develop as a wrestler?
Berube: It’s helped me a lot. We practice quite a bit. Mat time and experience is what really counts and you get a lot of mat time at Cumberland.

TheMat.com: How important is it for a female wrestler to have the opportunity to be able to go to college and still wrestle?
Berube: It’s an excellent opportunity and really important because you can get your college paid for and then you’ll have something to fall back on if wrestling doesn’t work out.

TheMat.com: Who has been most influential on your career?
Berube: My dad. Because he was a good wrestler in high school and he has always supported me no matter what the final result was.

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USA Wrestling asks members to contact New York state leaders to show support for Olympic Stadium

7/8/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

USA Wrestling has asked its members, both in New York and around the nation, to contact the office of two prominent New York state political leaders, asking for them to change their position and support the proposed Olympic Stadium project for New York City.

Jay L. Kriegel, the Executive Director of NYC2012, has asked those who support the bid to bring the 2012 Summer Olympics to New York, to call and FAX the office of two key politicians.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
Phone: 518-455-3791
Fax: 518-455-5459

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno
Phone: 518-455-3191
Fax: 518-455-2448

Kriegel has published a letter urging citizens to protest the decision against the Olympic Stadium project. The text of the memo is below.

“USA Wrestling strongly supports NYC2102 and its efforts to bring the Olympic Games to New York,” said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. “The approval of the Olympic Stadium is the key element needed for New York to have a chance to secure the Olympics. The U.S. wrestling community can make a difference. Take the time TODAY to contact Speaker Silver and Leader Bruno, and demand their support for the Olympic Stadium.”
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NYC2012 MEMO

To: NYC2012 Supporters
From: Jay L. Kriegel, Executive Director
Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Today's press makes very clear, sadly, that the action on Monday by State Assembly Speaker Silver and State Senate Leader Bruno voting against the Olympic Stadium had absolutely no substantive reason.

It is stunning to read every one of their comments and find not one objection to the Olympic Stadium project itself, which every study has shown has enormous economic benefits for both the City and the State and will not just recover the full public investment, but will generate a profit to the public of over $1 billion.

Despite the Speaker's references to Lower Manhattan development, it is now clear that on Saturday the Mayor made an extraordinary offer which more than met every single concern regarding Lower Manhattan development through an extensive and unprecedented subsidy and incentive package. Even more, the Mayor offered to freeze all incentives to West Side development until Lower Manhattan was significantly rented. Everyone in the real estate industry involved in these projects has found the Mayor's proposals to be a complete response to all of the Speaker's concerns. So this was not about Lower Manhattan development.

Regarding the West Side development, it should be noted that the rezoning of the West Side was done by the New York City Council in February after a two year process which included extensive public hearings. At no time did the Speaker testify in opposition to this rezoning or file objections when it was being considered by the Borough President or the City Council. To raise this now as a reason not to approve the Olympic Stadium project is a red herring.

We are left with the conclusion from today's press reports that Monday's vote to kill the Olympic Stadium was based solely on parochial politics, not on any public policy or concerns for the City's future. These reports are an embarrassment for New York nationally and internationally. To have the City's Olympic bid jeopardized by this kind of negative politics may not just defeat the bid, but has shown New York in the worst possible light just as we are stepping onto the world stage against other great cities, all striving to win this most coveted of all international prizes. Monday's action by the State Legislative Leaders has thrown into grave jeopardy the City's bid, which is also America's bid.

Many of you have already contacted us to express your shock and deep disappointment. Our 2000 Olympians and Paralympians from across America and from 50 other countries are particularly appalled that local politics would override the City's and the nation's Olympic dream.

I urge you to communicate your feelings immediately to the two Leaders directly at the following numbers:

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
Phone: 518-455-3791
Fax: 518-455-5459

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno
Phone: 518-455-3191
Fax: 518-455-2448

Please continue to share with us your thoughts and actions.

Let me assure you that we are making every effort to find a way to ensure that New York's bid can continue and be successful.