News

Van Dusen wins Yarygin Tournament title in Russia; Murata and Wong take silver medals

Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
01/27/2006

Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) won a gold medal at 59 kg/130 lbs., one of three U.S. finalists in the women’s division at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial International, Friday, Jan. 27.

Van Dusen, a 2004 University World champion, was wrestling up one weight class from her normal 55 kg/121 lbs. She won three matches during the tournament.

Van Dusen opened the tournament facing U.S. teammate and two-time World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC). Roberts won the first period, then Van Dusen came back to win the final two periods for the victory.

In the semifinals, Van Dusen again lost the opening period to a Russian opponent, then dominated the final two periods for a three-period victory. In the gold-medal finals, Van Dusen defeated a Russian opponent in two straight periods.

“Marcie wrestled very tough,” said U.S. Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett. “In the semifinals, she lost in the first period to a tough Russian opponent, who handled her. Marcie came back and was very physical, and gave the athlete more than she could handle. Marcie broke her. She was able to refocus and do what it took to win. She wrestled a smart, intelligent competition.”

Two U.S. wrestlers won silver medals in the tournament, Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs.).

Murata won her first two matches, beating 2005 Junior World champion Lorissa Oorzhak of Russia in the first match, then stopping U.S. teammate Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in the second match. Both bouts went two periods. In the gold-medal finals, Murata lost a two-period match to a Russian opponent.

“Murata was very tough. She was quick, healthy, strong and very big at 48 kg,” said Bennett. “She was not able to get her shots going in the finals, and just couldn’t catch up when she got behind.”

Wong opened the tournament with two victories over Russian opponents, needing all three periods to secure the win. In the gold-medal finals, Wong lost to a Russian opponent in two periods.

“Jenny wrestled well,” said Bennett. “She ran out of time in the finals. She was in a double leg attack when the whistle blew in the first period, and had a similar situation in the second period, as well.”

Both Murata and Wong were members of the 2005 U.S. World Team, but wrestled in the other’s weight division. At the World Championships, Wong was down at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Murata was up at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Both are past World medalists, with Murata having won a World silver medal and Wong having won a World bronze medal.

Three U.S. wrestlers placed fifth after losing their bronze-medal matches, Chun, Roberts and 2005 World champion Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Smith opened with a three-period win over veteran Anita Schaetzle of Germany in the first round. In the semifinals, Smith was pinned by a Russian opponent in 25 seconds of the first period. In the bronze medal match, Smith was pinned by another Russian athlete, this time in the closing seconds of the third period. Smith injured her knee during the final bout of the day.

The U.S. men’s freestyle team begins competition on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix. Six U.S. wrestlers begin their tournaments with opening round matches in the morning. The athletes competing on Saturday are:
• Henry Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
• Jared Lawrence (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
• Bill Zadick (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
• Lee Fullhart (Christianburg, Va./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.
• Chris Pendleton (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.
• Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

The 66 kg/145.5 lbs. division in the men’s division is loaded, as three past World champions from Russia are entered: Makhach Murtazaliev, Irbek Farniev and Alan Dudaev.

Ivan Yarygan Memorial International
at Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 27

U.S. performances

48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2nd
WIN Lorissa Oorzhak (Russia), two periods
WIN Clarrisa Chun (USA), two periods
LOSS opponent from Russia, two periods

48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 5th
LOSS Stephanie Murata (USA), two periods
LOSS Lorissa Oorzhak (Russia), two periods

51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2nd
WIN opponent from Russia, three periods
WIN opponent from Russia, three periods
LOSS opponent from Russia, two periods

59 kg/130 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), Champion
WIN Sally Roberts (USA), three periods
WIN opponent from Russia, three periods
WIN opponent from Russia, two periods

59 kg/130 lbs. - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 5th
LOSS Marcie Van Dusen (USA), three periods
LOSS opponent from Russia, two periods

72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 5th
WIN Anita Schaetzle (Germany), three periods
LOSS opponent from Russia, pin, 0:25 of the first period
LOSS opponent from Russia, pin, 1:58 of the third period

Names of competitors, and scores, will be updated when received.

--------------------------------------------

2006 Women’s Winter Tour schedule to feature competition in Russia, Turkey, Sweden and Belarus

Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
01/25/2006

USA Wrestling has announced its 2006 Winter Tour schedule for women’s freestyle wrestling. The nation’s top Olympic-caliber women wrestlers will compete in a number of major international competitions this winter, testing themselves against many of the world’s greatest wrestlers and teams.

Each year, USA Wrestling sends teams on international tours, which allows top athletes to improve themselves by competing against talented international opponents and gaining experience at the highest levels. The tours also allow the wrestlers to prepare for the major domestic events later in the year, including the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials.

The first U.S. women’s tour team will travel to Krasnoyarsk, Russia to compete in the Ivan Yarygin Memorial International Jan. 26-27. Five members of the 2005 U.S. World Team will participate in this tour.

Among the stars on this trip is 2005 World champion Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Two-time World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) will wrestle at 59 kg/130 lbs. Two other past World medalists, 2001 World silver medalist Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) and 2003 World bronze medalist Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) will wrestle at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Also on this tour is 2004 University World champion Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs.

The next U.S. women’s tour will compete in two events in Europe, the Vehbi Emre Golden Grand Prix in Izmir, Turkey, Feb. 24-26 and the Klippan Ladies Golden Grand Prix in Klippan, Sweden, March 3-5. Both of these events are among the new FILA Golden Grand Prix events, which provides prize money to athletes based upon their placement.

Two-time World champion Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) will compete at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. on this tour. In addition, all five of the past U.S. World medalists who were on the tour to Russia will also attend the tour to Turkey and Sweden. This includes Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

The final U.S. women’s tour team will travel to Minsk, Belarus to compete at the Alexander Medved International, March 24-26. Leading the U.S. team will be 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda (New Haven, Conn./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Also on the tour are 2005 World bronze medalist Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs and 2003 World bronze medalist Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Two-time Junior World champion Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./Univ. of Regina) will compete on the tour at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Women’s Freetyle Tours

Ivan Yarygan Memorial International, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 26-27
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Coach – Sergei Beloglazov, Gilbert, Ariz.

Vehbi Emre Golden Grand Prix in Izmir, Turkey, Feb. 24-26
Klippan Ladies Golden Grand Prix in Klippan, Sweden, March 3-5
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill (USOEC/New York AC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Ashley Sword, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Coach – Mike Marr, LaFarge, Wis.

Alexander Medved International in Minsk, Belarus, March 24-26
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Sara Fulp-Allen, Half Moon Bay, Calif. (Menlo College)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Rachel Holthaus, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Vanessa Oswalt, Mount Vernon, Ohio (Simpson WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ. of Regina)
Coach – Levi Weikel-Magden, Charlottesville, Va.