News Page

UPDATED: Preliminary list of World Team Trials qualifiers

Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
05/08/2006

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE
48 KG/105.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Whitney Conder, Puyallup, Wash. (Vision Quest Sport/Fitness)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Nicole Woody, Odenton, Md. (New York AC)
World Team member – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
World Team member – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial silver medalist – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International bronze medalist – Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix silver medalist – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix bronze medalist – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
University Nationals champion – Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC)
University Nationals, second place – Aquilla Hills (University of the Cumberlands)

51 KG/112 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Julieta Okot, New York, N.Y. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Joey Miller, Woodward, Okla. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Cheryl Wong, Croton, N.Y. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Samantha Schuman, Omaha, Neb. (Missouri Valley)
Olympic Team member – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
World Team member – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Lydnsay Belisle (Burnaby Mountain)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial silver medalist – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International gold medalist – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix gold medalist – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Northeast Regional champion – Aquila Hills, Charlotte, N.C. (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
University Nationals champion – Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
University Nationals, second place – Kristin Condello (Women's Only Wrestling)

55 KG/121 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo.(Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Dream)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Clarissa Calibuso, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley College)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Dream)
World Team member – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’05 Henri Deglane Challenge gold medalist – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International silver medalist – Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)
Northeast Regional champion – Dyami Souza, Brooklyn, Conn. (Silverback WC)
University Nationals champion – Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)
University Nationals, second place – To be determined

59 KG/130 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Deanna Rix, South Berwick, Maine (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Erica Chew, Houston, Texas (Missouri Valley College)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Brooke Bogren, Carbondale, Kan. (Missouri Valley)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Bethany Murphy (U.S. Air Force)
World Team member – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
World Team member – Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial gold medalist – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International silver medalist - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix silver medalist – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
University Nationals champion – Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
University Nationals, second place – To be determined

63 KG/138.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Jackie Cataline, Corona, Calif. (Cataline’s Wildcats)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Rachel Billerbeck, Plugerville, Texas (Missouri Valley)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Vanessa Oswalt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Amberle Montgomery, Kent, Wash. (Vision Quest Sport and Fitness)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Laura McDonald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
Olympic Team member – Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’05 Henri Deglane Challenge gold medalist – Alaina Berube, Esanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix bronze medalist – Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
University Nationals champion – Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
University Nationals, second place – Bethany Harris (USOEC/No Mercy)

67 KG/147.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Michelle Hooker, Austin, Texas (Missouri Valley College)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Shelly Ruberg, Ueras, Ohio (Cumberland College)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Andrea Hale, Chicago, Ill. (Lassen College)
World Team member – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Alexander Medved International bronze medalist – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix gold medalist – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Northeast Regional champion – Jen Chu, Philadelphia, Pa. (W.O.W.)
University Nationals champion – Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (USOEC)
University Nationals, second place – Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (USOEC)

72 KG/158.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ. of Regina)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Donell Bradley, Aiea, Hawaii (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (University of the Cumberlands)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Wash. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Lacy Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (Missouri Valley)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Brittany Brown, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
Olympic Team member – Toccara Montgomery, Williamsburg, Ky. (New York AC)
World Team member – Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (University of the Cumberlands)
University Nationals champion – Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (University of the Cumberlands)
University Nationals, second place – Sara Hilliard (Missouri Valley College)

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

Craft remains on track for success
Former wrestler now focuses on autocross

By Joshua Lindenstein, Camera Sports Writer
May 6, 2006

A letter-winner on the Fairview wrestling team her freshman and sophomore years, Julianne Craft was once on the fast track to success in her sport.

Splitting her time between junior varsity and varsity, she'd won about 50 percent of her matches against the boys. She'd also taken home two girls Colorado state titles, finished as the runner-up once and was ranked fifth nationally in her weight class. With a father who was a 1959 New Jersey state champ at 178 pounds, wrestling was in her blood.

"In my career I had maybe five or six girls who came out for wrestling and she was as talented as anybody," says former Fairview mat coach Jim Heun, who also coached Cathilee Albert, a 2001 Fairview grad who went on to place fifth at a women's world championship meet in Poland while representing the United States. "She was beating boys. We had equal expectations for her. We really thought she was going to go the same route (as Albert) before her knee started acting up."

Two years and five knee surgeries later, Craft is still living life in the fast lane. She's just on a different track.

Rather than twisting opponents into pretzels, the Fairview senior is maneuvering the twists and turns of Autocross courses.

Craft's wrestling career screeched to a halt after her sophomore season because of a torn meniscus in her left knee that she suffered while playing junior high football.

Undiagnosed for six months, the injury got worse until she had a pair of surgeries, but her meniscus had already been shredded. For two years, she wrestled at Fairview without a meniscus in her left knee.

Knowing the knee would keep deteriorating, she and her family decided the issue needed to be addressed. Doctors sewed a cadaver meniscus into her knee 15 months ago, presumably fixing the problem. But it didn't.

Three times in the last year doctors opened Craft's knee to repair the cadaver meniscus. With a fourth surgery, they removed it, leaving the bones in her knee to continue wearing away her cartilage and leaving Craft without her favorite pastime.

While still hopeful a solution will be found for her knee, Craft, whose mother Deb calls her the bravest person she knows, is tired of going through surgeries for now.

"Lots of tears," Craft says of the moment she knew she'd never wrestle again. "I have a very close, tight group of friends who were really there for me and listened to me complain on the phone a lot over the year I was really struggling with my knee."

Despite walking with a cane almost everywhere she goes to keep weight off her left leg as much as possible, Craft couldn't stay away from competition for long.

Autocross involves single cars negotiating a course mapped out by cones against time, usually on a parking lot or dormant runway. Racers generally use unmodified cars, which are placed in different classes based on how fast they are. More a discipline of technical acumen, speeds in autocross usually don't exceed highway speeds.

After watching her dad, George, and brother, Matt, compete in Autocross with their 1991 Toyota MR-2 for two years, Craft decided she'd give the sport a shot when she turned 16.

Less than two years into her new trade, she's already finding success.

Julianne placed fourth in the open E Stock series and 14th among all novice racers at the final Rocky Mountain Solo2 Series event of the winter at the Mount Elbert parking lot at Denver International Airport in March and is gearing up for the summer series.

"I had to cut down on all these sports and I used to run all the time," Craft says. "(Racing) was just another thing to do in the beginning. But I just really like it. I always thought car racing didn't seem like a sport. But then after I finish the races and I'm breathing hard and that stuff, it's really exciting and really competitive if you want it to be."

Craft also picked up swimming — despite not really knowing how to swim — her junior and senior years because it was the only prep sport her knee could handle.

Already an accomplished participant in the Bolder Boulder as a young child, Craft played every sport she could in middle school: volleyball, basketball, football and track. She went to a different school to wrestle, which she picked up in the sixth grade, and played softball in the summers.

In addition to sports, she plays trombone in the jazz band, mentors freshman students, is a member of the school's Sexual Help Aids Awareness Peer Education program and National Honor Society, and she also plans to spend her 18th birthday on a mission trip with her church youth group building houses and putting on camps for children this summer.

And don't forget her 4.5 grade point average in the International Baccalaureate program at Fairview or her plans to major in pre-med at the University of Colorado next fall — while driving and swimming on the side, of course.

Craft realized one day while lying in a hospital bed after one of her many surgeries that she wanted to become a doctor.

"The knee stuff kind of started getting me interested in medical stuff," Craft says. "My perfect idea would be that I'd be a doctor in a foreign country or somewhere where they actually need doctors, rather than here where they have a doctor every block or a couple doctors."

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

HAWAI'I'S ALO SISTERS CAPTURE NATIONAL TITLES

May 5, 2006

Sisters Teniya and Teshya Alo captured wrestling national titles at the USGWA National Championships at Lake Orion, Mich., on April 1 and 2.

Teniya, 7, and Teshya, 8, of Honolulu, competed in the elementary school age division. Teniya won at 44 pounds and Teshya won the 55-pound B division. Both compete for Rainbow Wrestling.

Also in the elementary school division, Latisha Alo of Lihu'e finished in sixth place at 78 pounds, Hau'ula's Jocelyn Alo was third in the 82.3-pound division, and Hau'ula's Sabrina Alo was sixth at 83.2 pounds.

In the middle school division, Alena Santiago was eighth at 97.5 pounds and Libby Petrie was fifth in the over-150 pound division.