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Lucas, Jacobson headline list of University Nationals champions at Body Bar event

Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
05/07/2006

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Nine pounds has made a world of difference for Othella Lucas.

Bigger, stronger and happier after bumping up a weight class this year, Lucas used a strong single-leg attack on her feet to sweep Chelynne Pringle of the Minnesota Storm and win the 130-pound University Nationals freestyle championship Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

The 20-year-old Lucas, who competes for the University of the Cumberlands, won the first period 1-0 before using a pair of single-leg takedowns early in the second period to gain a 3-1 win in the second two minutes. Pringle placed third at the 2005 U.S. World Team Trials.

“She beat me last year at 121 pounds and that was a really hard cut for me to get down to that weight,” Lucas said. “Now that I’m up at 130, I feel so much stronger and have so much more energy. I just came out and wrestled aggressively, and didn’t hold back at all. I just gave it my all.”

Reigning U.S. Nationals champion Sharon Jacobson (U.S. Olympic Education Center/Gator Wrestling Club) was named Outstanding Wrestler after rolling to the title at 121 pounds. Jacobson headlocked and pinned Amy Borgnini (USOEC/No Mercy) just 35 seconds into their title bout.

The champion at each weight class in University Nationals qualifies for the University World Championships for women in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, on June 15-20. The top two finishers in each weight class at University Nationals qualify for the World Team Trials for women on June 30 in Colorado Springs.

The balance of the University Nationals champions also included Liz Short (USOEC) at 105.5 pounds, Mary Kelly (New York AC) at 112, Alaina Berube (University of the Cumberlands) at 138.5, Randi Miller (Michigan) at 147.5, Tabetha Golt (University of the Cumberlands) at 158.5 and Megan Goldsmith (University of Calgary) at 169.5. Goldsmith successfully defended her title.

The FILA Cadet Nationals also were held Sunday as the two-day Body Bar Women’s Nationals concluded. Amy Whitbeck (101.25) of New York was named Outstanding Wrestler in FILA Cadets.

Lucas placed fourth at U.S. Nationals last month in Las Vegas and hopes to improve on that finish at the World Team Trials for women on June 30 in Colorado Springs.

“This gives me a lot of momentum going into the Trials,” Lucas said. “I was a little down about Vegas and a little disappointed about that performance. This is the boost that I need going into the Trials. I still have a lot to work on, but I feel like I’m headed in the right direction now. I have great coaches and a great environment to train in.”

Lucas reached in and twice snatched Pringle’s leg in the second period before smoothly dumping her to the mat for a pair of one-point takedowns. She then countered an attack by Pringle and threw her by for another takedown for a 3-0 lead in the second period. Pringle shot in for a late takedown, but was unable to rally.

“When I see my opponent in that staggered stance, I just automatically notice that leg and take it,” Lucas said. “That move has been working for me, so I take it when it’s there for me.”

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Whitbeck repeats feat at FILA Cadet Nationals

Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
05/07/2006

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – It has become a recurring theme in the FILA Cadet class at the Body Bar Women’s Nationals.

Amy Whitbeck winning championships.

The New York wrestler was named Outstanding Wrestler at FILA Cadet Nationals after capturing the 101.25-pound title Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Whitbeck repeated her title from 2005 when she won FILA Cadets at 88 pounds.

The remainder of the FILA Cadet champions included Carlene Sluberski (88 pounds) of New York, C.C. Weber (94.75) of Michigan, Samantha Lopez (108) of California, Michaela Hutchison (114.5) of Alaska, Cheyenne Stokes (123.25) of Oklahoma, Tatiana Padilla (132.25) of California, Paige Rife (143.25) of TNT, Laura Gorley (154.25) of Oregon, Desiree Memea (170) of Hawaii, Heather Miracle (185) of Wisconsin and Paloma Basulto (220) of California.

Hutchison, Padilla and Rife also were repeat champions in FILA Cadets.

Hutchison has had a banner year after earlier becoming the first girl to win the state high school wrestling tournament in Alaska.

The FILA Cadets were held Sunday in conjunction with the University Nationals as the two-day Body Bar event concluded in Colorado Springs.

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Cataline wins FILA Junior Nationals as Body Bar event opens

Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
05/06/2006

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Jackie Cataline continues to stockpile momentum.

And victories.

Second at the U.S. Nationals last month in Las Vegas, Cataline stayed on a roll by repeating as a champion at the FILA Junior Nationals Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Cataline downed Vanessa Oswalt of the Gator Wrestling Club 3-2, 4-0 in the 138.75-pound division in FILA Juniors as the Body Bar Women’s Nationals kicked off Saturday. The Girls National Championships, for competitors in grades 3-8, also was held Saturday.

Champions from the FILA Junior Nationals earn the right to represent the USA at the FILA Junior World Championships for women in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on Aug. 29-Sept. 3.

The Body Bar event concludes Sunday with the University Nationals and FILA Cadet Nationals.

Cataline, who competes for Cataline’s Wildcat Wrestling Club, was joined as a repeat champion by Dany Hedin (121) of the U.S. Olympic Education Center/New York Athletic Club, Heather Martin (147.5) of the University of the Cumberlands and Ali Bernard (158.5) of the University of Regina.

Hedin was named Outstanding Wrestler. Hedin rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 technical fall win over Samantha Schuman of Missouri Valley College in the finals.

The remainder of the FILA Junior champions included Nicole Woody (97 pounds), Sadie Kaneda (105.75) of the USOEC, Jessica Medina (112.25) of the University of the Cumberlands, Deanna Rix (130) of the New York Athletic Club and Dallas Monreal-Berner (175) of the Team West Wolves.

Repeat Girls Nationals winners included Reni Gallan of River Kids, Caroline Cotton of Blazin’ Divas, Morgan Otteson of Kansas and Hanna Martin of Oklahoma. Gallan won in the grade 3-6 category at 57-63 pounds, Cotton in grades 3-6 at 65-69 pounds, Otteson in grades 3-6 at 103-111 pounds and Martin in grades 7-8 at 78-83 pounds.

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