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Last update till after Senior National Championships
2007 U.S. Senior National Championships
Western Junior Regionals
Veterans National Championships
Sombo Nationals & World Team Trials
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 4-7, 2007
U.S. Nationals Women’s preview at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/26/2007
This weight class is loaded with talent and experience. There are three women in the division who are past U.S. World Team members: Mary Kelly of the New York AC, Stephanie Murata of the Sunkist Kids and Clarissa Chun of the Sunkist Kids.
The returning 2005 U.S. World Team member is Kelly, who placed ninth at the World meet in China. Kelly scored wins over Murata and Chun at the World Team Trials last year. Kelly was fourth at the Dave Schultz Memorial, where she was defeated by Murata in the semifinals. She is a past age-group World medalist and has been getting considerable international experience in the last few seasons.
Murata is currently ranked No. 1 in TheMat.com rankings, after taking a gold medal at the recent Dave Schultz Memorial International, with a win over Kelly. Murata was a 2001 World silver medalist, and boasts eight past U.S. Nationals titles. Considered one of the most experienced athletes in women’s wrestling, Murata made the move down in weight a few seasons ago and has been successful competing at the lowest weight division.
The defending national champion is veteran Clarissa Chun, who won her first career title in Las Vegas last year. Chun was defeated by Kelly in the finals of the Women's World Team Trials. Chun is a former World Team member with vast experience. She won a gold medal this year at the Sunkist Kids International. Chun, like Kelly and Murata, is a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete, and all should be in top form heading into this year’s national championships
Sara Fulp-Allen of Menlo College, a former U.S. Nationals champion and one of the stars of the college scene, holds a No. 4 ranking at this time. Fulp-Allen has been competing up at 51 kg/112.25 pounds during the college season, where she won a college national title this season, and could be moving up in weight. If she remains at 48 kg, Fulp-Allen is a threat to make the finals again in Las Vegas.
Liz Short, who competes for the USOEC program at Northern Michigan, has been a consistent competitor at this level, and was sixth at the U.S. Nationals last season. Short has made past age-group World teams for the USA. Whitney Conder was also an All-American at this division last year, placing fifth.
High school star Nicole Woody of the New York AC won a Junior World title last summer, and placed seventh at the U.S. Nationals last year. She defeated 2005 U.S. Nationals runner-up Caitlyn Chase of the Gator WC in the seventh-place match in Las Vegas last year.
Among the contenders from the college ranks are Sadie Kaneda of the USOEC, Melissa Gerard and Aquila Hills from the Univ. of the Cumberlands, Rachel Holthaus from the Univ. of Regina and Amantha Hordagoda from Cal-State Bakersfield. All have the potential to crack into the All-American ranks at the U.S. Nationals, based upon performances during the last year.
2006 U.S. Nationals results at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.
1st – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 3-2, 2-0
3rd – Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC) dec. Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College), 1-0, 2-0
5th – Whitney Conder, Puyallup, Wash. (Vision Quest Sport/Fitness) inj. dft. Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC), 0:00
7th –Nicole Woody, Odenton, Md. (New York AC) pin Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Ill. (Gator WC), 0:16
TheMat.com rankings at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. for February 2007
1. Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
3. Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
4. Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
5. Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC)
6. Nicole Woody, Odenton, Md. (New York AC)
7. Sadie Kaneda, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC)
8. Melissa Gerard, Norway, Mich. (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
9. Rachel Holthaus, Little Falls, Minn. (Sunkist Kids)
10. Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Ill. (Gator WC)
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U.S. Nationals Women’s preview at 51 kg/112.25 lbs.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/27/2007
2004 Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda of the Sunkist Kids won her third career World Championships medal last year with her bronze-medal performance in Gunagzhou, China. She was also a 2000 and 2003 World silver medalist. Her only loss in the tournament was to Japan’s Hitomi Sakamoto, a multiple-World champion who is among the greatest wrestlers on the women’s scene. Miranda entered the New York AC Holiday International just for an opportunity to face Sakamoto, and although she did not win, she closed the gap on her top international rival.
Miranda has won gold medals at the Dave Schultz Memorial International, the Guelph Open in Canada and the Tourcoing Golden Grand Prix in France. She also won all three of her matches during the World Cup this past weekend. Miranda, who took a year off after the 2004 Olympics for her first year of law school, will have to make a decision soon concerning her weight class. With the Olympics only a year and a half away, she will need to time her drop down to 48 kg sometime in the upcoming month in order to compete in one of the four Olympic weight classes.
2003 World bronze medalist Jenny Wong has emerged as the top challenger to Miranda during the last two seasons. Wong beat Miranda at the 2005 New York AC Holiday International, Miranda’s first event back from her short retirement. Miranda has won all of the recent battles, including their bout at the recent Dave Schultz Memorial International finals. Wong also won a silver medals at the Sunkist Kids International, and bronze medals in tournaments in France and Canada this year. She remains a very competitive on the international level, but has to find a way to beat Miranda at this weight division.
This weight class features a mix of young athletes who are emerging on the national level with a few veteran athletes. College stars Jessica Medina of Cumberland College and Kapua Torres of Pacific have been active and successful in recent seasons. Torres was fourth at the Sunkist Kids International this year, and Medina was fourth at the New York AC Holiday Championships.
However, the winner at the College National Championships at this weight was Sara Fulp-Allen of Menlo College, who moved up this season on the college circuit after success at 48 kg. Medina was second and Torres was third behind Fulp-Allen at the college level. If Fulp-Allen stays up at this division for the U.S. Nationals, she will be expected to challenge for one of the top spots.
Junior Nationals champion Joey Miller of the New York AC, a high school star, has been successful on the Senior level. She moved up to this weight class last year and took third in the World Team Trials, making Women’s Team USA for the first time. She was also fifth at the U.S. Nationals last year.
Julieta Okot of the New York AC, who received U.S. citizenship after competing at the World level for Bulgaria, has considerable experience. She placed third in last year’s U.S. Nationals and fourth at the World Team Trials.
Others to watch include college wrestlers Samantha Schuman of Missouri Valley College, Kelli Rasmussen of the Univ. of Regina and Claire Dupont of Colorado School of Mines. All have the potential to be placewinners at the U.S. Nationals, and look to challenge for the medal round matches. Whitney Conder has also made an impact at this weight class this year. A veteran to watch is Cheryl Wong of the New York AC, who was sixth at last year’s U.S. Nationals and has placed nationally a number of times.
2006 U.S. Nationals results at 51 kg/112.25 lbs.
1st – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-0, 3-0
3rd – Julieta Okot, New York, N.Y. (New York AC) pin Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 0-2, 0:22
5th – Joey Miller, Woodward, Okla. (New York AC) pin Cheryl Wong, Croton, N.Y. (New York AC), 1:06
7th – Samantha Schuman, Omaha, Neb. (Missouri Valley) dec. Kelli Rasmussen, Winnebago, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 2-1, 3-0
TheMat.com Women's rankings at 51 kg (112 lbs.) for Feb. 2007
1. Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Kapua Torres, Kahuku, Hawaii (Pacific Univ.)
4. Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
5. Joey Miller, Woodward, Okla. (New York AC)
6. Julieta Okot, New York, N.Y. (New York AC)
7. Whitney Conder, Payallup, Wash. (Vision Quest Sports/Fitness)
8. Samantha Schuman, Omaha, Neb. (Missouri Valley)
9. Kelli Rasmussen, Winnebago, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
10. Claire Dupont, Leadville, Colo. (Colorado Mines)
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U.S. Nationals Women’s preview at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/28/2007
One of the most successful wrestlers on the women's scene this year has been Marcie Van Dusen of the Sunkist Kids, who holds the No. 1 ranking at this weight by TheMat.com. She has won either gold or silver medals in a number of events this season. Among her victories were at the Sunkist Kids International, the Dave Schultz Memorial International and the Tourcoing Golden Grand Prix in France. She also competed at the World Cup a week ago.
Van Dusen is a past University World champion and has considerable international experience for an athlete of her young age. She injured her knee last winter and missed the rest of the season due to surgery, but has returned to top form this year. Van Dusen has not yet made a Senior U.S. World Team, and this year offers another opportunity.
Two-time World silver medalist Tina George of the U.S. Army has been on seven World Teams, including last year's U.S. World Team. She seems to peak when the World Team Trials arrive. Last year, she was beaten at the U.S. Nationals and dropped out, but came back later in the year to take over the No. 1 spot. Her talent and experience makes her a threat at every event she enters.
The defending national champion is Sharon Jacobson of the Gator WC, who was Outstanding Wrestler at last year's U.S. Nationals. Jacobson beat Malinda Ripley of the Sunkist Kids in the champion finals last year by pin. Jacobson has been expanding her international experience recently, with a bronze medal at the Sunkist Kids International this fall. She is also training fulltime at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, after making her breakthrough nationally while part of Northern Michigan’s USOEC program
Ripley, a veteran athlete and past U.S. Nationals champion, has not competed much during the past year. This field is loaded with talented young athletes who are looking to break through this year. Junior World medalist Danyelle Hedin of the USOEC is expected to challenge for a high place in the national standings, as will her USOEC teammate Nicole Darrow of the New York AC.
Former national team member Brandy Rosenbrock of Central Michigan has had a good season down at this division, including a victory over Van Dusen at the New York AC Holiday International. In past years, Rosenbrock wrestled at higher weight classes. Sara Peasley of Team Intensity has wrestled often this fall, winning a number of medals, and won the gold medal at Collegiate Nationals title against a competitive field.
Amy Borgnini of the USOEC has been ranked as high as No. 3 on the national team, but has not been consistent this year. Chelynne Pringle of the Minnesota Storm and Leann Barney of the Univ. of the Cumberlands are also expected to be in the mix. Barney placed second behind Peasley at the Collegiate Nationals.
Others from the college ranks to watch ar Missouri Valley College wrestlers Erica Chew and Clarissa Calibuso, as well as Sandy Do of the Univ. of the Cumberlands. Placing eighth at the U.S. Nationals last year was Shyla Iokia of Grapplers Edge. This weight class has as much depth and talent as any in the nation, so the early rounds in Las Vegas could lead to some upsets.
2006 U.S. Nationals results at 55 kg/121 lbs.
1st – Sharon Jacobsen, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC) pin Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo.(Sunkist Kids), 2-0, 0:47
3rd – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 2-1, 4-1
5th – Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC) dec. Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Dream), 0-1, 2-1, 1-1
7th – Clarissa Calibuso, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley College) dec. Shyla Iokia, Denver, Colo. (Grapplers Edge), 1-4, 4-0, 1-0
TheMat.com rankings at 55 kg/121 lbs. for February 2007
1. Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
3. Sharon Jacobsen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
4. Danyelle Hedin, Kailua, Hawaii (USOEC/New York AC)
5. Nicole Darrow, Lanesboro, Mass. (New York AC)
6. Brandy Rosenbrock, Harrison, Mich. (Central Michigan)
7. Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
8. LeAnn Barney, Austin, Texas (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
9. Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC)
10. Sara Peasley, Escanaba, Mich. (Team Intensity)
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U.S. Nationals Women’s preview at 59 kg/130 lbs.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/29/2007
Erin Tomeo of the Sunkist Kids had her best international performance last year, placing seventh at the World Championships on her second trip to the World meet. She lost to two-time World medalist Sally Roberts at the U.S. Nationals last year, but came back to defeat Roberts at the World Team Trials
Tomeo has not competed much in recent months, but has extensive experience. She has had injuries, and was recently cleared to compete. If she enters in Las Vegas, it will not be with very much preparation. Roberts is also recovering from injury and may not be ready to compete until the World Team Trials. Both Tomeo and Roberts have tremendous experience and have held the edge over their opponents in recent seasons. If neither enter the field in Las Vegas, this weight class becomes wide open, and could see some new faces emerge in the finals.
An interesting twist came at the Women’s World Cup when Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann of the Sunkist Kids competed at this division. McMann has wrestled exclusively at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. for many years. She helped make the U.S. World Cup team stronger by dropping down for the event. However, there was a two kilogram allowance at the World Cup, so McMann is not expected to be down for the U.S. Nationals or any other events.
Veteran Leigh Jaynes of the Gator WC has had a busy and successful season, winning bronze medals at Sunkist Kids International, Dave Schultz Memorial and Guelph Open this year. Jaynes is now training fulltime at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Last year at the U.S. Nationals, she dropped all the way down to 121 pounds and pinned two-time World silver medalist Tina George of the U.S. Army in an early round, ultimately placing fourth. She has been competing exclusively at 130 pounds this season. Jaynes made headlines last year in other styles of wrestling, winning World bronze medals in both Sombo and Beach Wrestling.
Another top challenger is Othella Lucas of the New York AC, a college star at the Univ. of the Cumberlands, who has been competitive on the national level for many years. Lucas was fourth at the Sunkist Kids International, and has lost twice to Jaynes this year. Lucas placed fourth at the U.S. Nationals last year, and has been very successful on the age-group levels throughout her career. Lucas won the Women’s College Nationals at this weight class, and has had a ton of matches leading into the U.S. Nationals.
Former U.S. Nationals champion Na'Tasha Umemoto of the Sunkist Kids is talented and experienced. Her only major event this year was the Sunkist Kids International, where she placed seventh. Umemoto has competed at a number of weight classes in the past, so she could be entered elsewhere this year.
Another athlete who could be a major player at 130 pounds is Deanna Rix, who was third in the U.S. Nationals at this weight a year ago. Rix, who has been a star on the age-group levels and also has a number of achievements on the Senior level, has had difficulty making this weight class, and often wrestles up. If she is down to weight, and has gotten in top form, she is capable of making the finals of this tournament.
Other athletes to watch include Collegiate Nationals champion Kelsey Campbell, who attends Arizona State and won her college title competing up at 138.75 pounds. Campbell has competed at 130 pounds in the past and would have her best chance at success at this division.
Amberle Montgomery has been very active at this division, with a bronze medal at the Clansman International and matches in a number of other international tournaments. Veteran Tina Pihl has been competitive on the national level, and has a chance to be a challenger at this weight class. Two athletes who were national placewinners last year, Brooke Bogrem of Missouri Valley College and Erica Hazen of Team Hazen have not been active this year, but would be contenders if they enter.
Erica Chew of Missouri Valley was sixth last year at 130 pounds, but has competed down at 121 pounds during the college season. College wrestlers to watch include Rachel Hubbard of the Cumberlands, Samantha Fee of Missouri Valley College and Michelle Ludwig of Pacific. Jen Chu of W.O.W. has also been active in recent seasons, and would be capable of winning matches at this weight division.
2006 U.S. Nationals results at 59 kg/130 lbs.
1st – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 0-6, 3-3, 4-1
3rd – Deanna Rix, South Berwick, Maine (New York AC) pinned Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC), 7-6, 1:10
5th – Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) pinned Erica Chew, Houston, Texas (Missouri Valley College),1:53
7th – Brooke Bogren, Carbondale, Kan. (Missouri Valley) dec. Erica Hazen, Pleasanton, Calif. (Team Hazen), 5-0, 3-0
TheMat.com rankings at 59 kg/130 lbs. for February 2007
1. Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
3. Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
4. Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
5. Amberle Montgomery, Kent, Wash. (Vision Quest Sports/Fitness)
6. Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
7. Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached)
8. Jen Chu, Philadelphia, Pa. (W.O.W.)
9. Kelsey Campbell, Oregon City, Ore. (unattached)
10. Erica Chew, Houston, Texas (Missouri Valley College)
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U.S. Nationals Women’s preview at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/30/2007
The dominant athlete in this division for many years has been 2004 Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann of the Sunkist Kids, who also won a 2003 World silver and a 2005 World bronze medal for the United States. McMann made her first World Team in 2000, and has represented the U.S. every year since at the international level. She has a long rivalry with Olympic champion Kaori Icho of Japan, who she lost to in the finals of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
For the first time in many years, McMann lost a match to a U.S. rival, when Randi Miller of the Gator WC defeated her in the finals at the 2007 Dave Schultz Memorial International. McMann's last domestic loss was in 2004 at the U.S. Nationals to Kristie Marano, who has since gone up in weight. McMann actually dropped to 130 pounds (plus a two kg allowance) for the recent Women’s World Cup, so she and Miller were both in the U.S. lineup. McMann is a five-time U.S. Nationals champion and enters as the defending champion.
Miller, who has dropped down in weight from 147.5 pounds, has been very successful on the international circuit this year, winning a number of medals. She was second at the U.S. Nationals last year at 147.5 pounds. Her season started with a silver at the Sunkist Kids International, followed by gold medals at the Clansmen International in Canada, the Henri Deglane Challenge in France, the Guelph Open in Canada and the Dave Schultz Memorial. Then came bronze medals at the Tourcoing Golden Grand Prix in France and the Kiev International in Ukraine. Throw in the World Cup, and Miller has been the most active wrestler on the national scene this year. She is also now training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, which seems to have helped her progress continue.
Another top challenger here is 2005 U.S. Nationals champion Alaina Berube of the New York AC, who was second behind McMann at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials. Berube has tremendous experience, not only at international events but also from the active schedule that she wrestles at the Univ. of the Cumberlands. She is arguably the best women’s college wrestler in history to date. Berube’s top finish this year has been a gold medal at the Sunkist Kids International Open. Berube has the ability to challenge for another U.S. Nationals title, but is coming off the Schultz Memorial where she failed to win a medal.
Jackie Cataline of Cataline Wildcats placed second to McMann at the U.S. Nationals last year, and has been competitive on the Senior level since high school. She was the ASICS Girls High School Wrestler of the Year last season, and won the Junior Nationals title handily. She also has been a member of U.S. age-group World Teams. Cataline has not competed at any major Senior-level event this season, so the U.S. Nationals will be her first showing
Veteran Tori Adams of the Sunkist Kids had a good performance at the Dave Schultz Memorial, with a win over Berube and top challenger Stefenie Shaw of the KT Kidz. Adams is a past Junior World medalist who has wrestled on the Senior level for many years, but has not always been consistent. Las Vegas offers Adams a chance to return to the top levels at this weight division.
Past U.S. Nationals finalist Kaci Lyle of the Sunkist Kids is back on the mats after dealing with health issues that kept her out of action in recent seasons. Lyle won the Clansmen International in Canada and was fourth at the Sunkist Kids International during the fall, but has been sidelined this winter. She has the ability to challenge anybody at this division if she is competing at her best. Natasha Umemoto of the Sunkist Kids, a past U.S. Nationals champion was fifth at this weight in Las Vegas last year, but might be down at 130 pounds.
This weight is stocked with young stars who should be able to make an impact for many years. Stefenie Shaw made big news in 2004, when she had a great performance at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials while still in high school. Deanna Rix of the New York AC was also an age-group star, winning three Junior National titles and a Junior World Team. Rix had some great performances on the Senior level at 130 pounds, but has found making that division difficult, and may be up at 138.75 pounds this season.
Vanessa Oswalt of the Gator WC has been paying her dues at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, and has won medals in Canada and France this season. Rachel Billerbeck of Missouri Valley College has also been competitive at this weight, but has the potential to drop to 130 pounds as well. Two wrestlers who were placewinners at the U.S. Nationals last year were Amberle Montgomery of Vision Quest Sport and Fitness and Krisha Childres of the Univ. of the Cumberlands.
The Collegiate Nationals champion at this division is Kelsey Campbell of Arizona State, but she may drop to 130 pounds for the U.S. Nationals. Others from the college community to watch out for are Emily Rinehart of Missouri Valley College and Sherolynn Eppinger of the Univ. of the Cumberlands.
2006 U.S. Nationals results at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
1st – Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jackie Cataline, Corona, Calif. (Cataline’s Wildcats), 5-0, 3-0
3rd – Alaina Berube, Escanaba,Mich. (New York AC) dec. Rachel Billerbeck, Plugerville, Texas (Missouri Valley), 3-0, 3-1
5th – Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids) pinned Vanessa Oswalt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator Wrestling Club), 4-2, 0:32
7th – Amberle Montgomery, Kent, Wash. (Vision Quest Sport and Fitness) pinned Krisha Childres, Goddard, Kan. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 6-2, 0:45
TheMat.com rankings at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. for February 2007
1. Randi Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
2. Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
3. Alaina Berube, Escanaba,Mich. (New York AC)
4. Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Jackie Cataline, Corona, Calif. (Cataline’s Wildcats)
6. Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (USOEC)
7. Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
8. Deanna Rix, South Berwick, Maine (New York AC)
9. Vanessa Oswalt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
10. Rachel Billerbeck, Plugerville, Texas (Missouri Valley)
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U.S. Nationals Women’s preview at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
04/02/2007
2005 World bronze medalist Katie Downing of the Sunkist Kids has taken over this weight class in the past few seasons. Downing defeated two-time World champion Kristie Marano during the 2005 year, after placing behind Marano in previous seasons. Marano has since moved up a division, and Downing has not looked back.
Downing made the World Team again last year, but did not place at the World Championships in Guangzhou, China. Downing won the Dave Schultz Memorial and the Guelph Open, and claimed silver medals in events in France and Ukraine. She seems to have a renewed focus, and looks for an impressive showing in Las Vegas. Of the athletes who have been competing at this weight this year, Downing clearly has the most experience and the best achievements. Opening up her offense is one of the keys to Downing’s continued improvement.
Elena Pirozhkov of Northern Elite, who became eligible to compete for the United States this past year, has emerged as a top challenger to Downing. Originally from Russia, Pirozkhov was a top wrestler in high school and now trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. She won gold medals at the Sunkist Kids International and the Klippan Ladies Open in Sweden and has other international placements. She lost to Katie Downing at the Dave Schultz Memorial this year.
Heather Martin of the New York AC, a past U.S. Nationals runner-up, is a top challenger and has placed at the U.S. Nationals a number of times. Her only event this year outside of the college season was at the Sunkist Kids International, where she lost to Pirozkov and placed third.
Randi Miller of the Gator WC won a number of medals at this weight class and would be a title contender, except she has dropped in weight to 138.75 lbs. If Miller decides to go back to this division, where she placed second at last year’s nationals, she is an instant contender. Stefanie Shaw was fourth at this division at the U.S. Nationals a year ago, but has since also dropped to 138.75 lbs. Like Miller, she would make an impact here.
There is a variety of other wrestlers who will be seeking to make their name at this division this year, none who have the experience to be considered title contenders. Amberle Ebert of Missouri Valley College was second at the U.S. Women’s Collegiate Nationals and won the recent Missouri Valley Showcase. Her college teammate, Emily Rinehart, is also a top collegian, but may choose to drop down to 138.75 pounds, where she wrestled at the College Nationals.
Ashley Sword, a former national team member, returned from injury to win the Missouri Valley Showcase, and could be a challenger if she is in the field at Las Vegas.
Four wrestlers who placed at the U.S. Nationals last year have not been active this season, but could return to attempt to be All-Americans again this year. They are Michelle Hooker of Missouri Valley College, Shelly Ruberg of the Cumberlands, Andrea Hale of Lassen College and Marina Piccolotti of California Women.
Two others to watch are Sheila McCabe of San Diego Hot Beaches and Jade Prudent of Menlo College, both from the women’s college circuit.
2006 U.S. Nationals results at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.
1st – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (USOEC), 1-0, 2-0
3rd – Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC) tech fall Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (USOEC), 6-0, 6-0
5th – Michelle Hooker, Austin, Texas (Missouri Valley College) pinned Shelly Ruberg, Ueras, Ohio (Cumberland College), 1:07
7th – Andrea Hale, Chicago, Ill. (Lassen College) tech fall Marina Piccolotti , Pacifica, Calif. (California Women’s), 6-0, 7-0
TheMat.com rankings at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. for February 2007
1. Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Elena Pirozkhov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Northern Elite)
3. Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC)
4. Sheila McCabe, El Cajon, Calif. (San Diego Hot Beaches)
5. Amberle Ebert, Reedsville, Wis. (Missouri Valley College)
6. Michelle Hooker, Austin, Texas (Missouri Valley)
7. Shelly Ruberg, Ueras, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
8. Sara Hilliard, Marshall, Mo. (Missouri Valley College)
9. Emily Rinehart, Marshall, Mo. (Missouri Valley College)
10. Jade Prudent, Houston, Texas (Menlo College)
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U.S. Nationals Women’s preview at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
04/03/2007
Kristie Marano of the New York AC is one of the best wrestlers in U.S. history, a two-time World champion. She has been to eight World Championships, and won eight medals, an amazing streak of consistency and excellence. Marano won a bronze medal at 158.5 pounds last year, after moving up in weight from the last few seasons.
Marano is known as a fierce competitor who finds a way to win. One of the most experienced women wrestlers in the nation, she is still seeking a spot on her first U.S. Olympic team, something that is driving her commitment to the sport.
Marano had surgery this fall, and just returned to the mats a few weeks ago. She lost a match to World Team Trials runner-up Stephany Lee of Missouri Valley College at the Missouri Valley Showcase a week ago. Lee was also sidelined much of this season, so neither Marano or Lee are expected to be at their best due to mat rust. Lee is a former World University champion, and has considerable throwing abilities due to a judo background.
Perhaps the wrestler who is competing at the best right now at this division is Iris Smith of the U.S. Army, the 2005 World champion. Smith is healthy again after she missed much of last year with an injury and fell short of making the national team. Smith competed for the U.S. at the recent World Cup, and will come into the tournament with confidence and a bit of momentum. She is one of just four U.S. women wrestlers to win a World title, a very select group.
Two-time Junior World champion Ali Bernard of the Univ. of Regina is a Minnesota native but competes in college in Canada. Bernard has been a U.S. Nationals champion when she competed down a weight class, but has been committed to this division for the last two seasons. Bernard is capable of beating talented opponents, but would have to string together a number of good matches to reach the top of this deep field.
Tabetha Golt of the Univ. of the Cumberlands is among the top athletes coming from the college ranks. Golt was fifth at last year’s U.S. Nationals.
Athletes who were All-Americans at this weight class last year include Donell Bradley of the USOEC, Melissa Simmons of the USOEC, Lacy Novinska of Missouri Valley College and Irene Proulx of Lassen College. Of this group, Novinska has been the most active on the national scene this year.
Others to watch include Dallas Monreal-Berner of the USOEC, Megan Goldsmith of the Univ. of Calgary and Teresa Fennell of the Univ. of the Cumberlands. Monriel-Berner was one of the nation’s top high school wrestlers a year ago and seeks her first impact on the Senior level.
2006 U.S. Nationals results at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
1st – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) pin Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley), 3-1, 0:20
3rd – Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ. of Regina) pin Donell Bradley, Aiea, Hawaii (USOEC), 1:19
5th – Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (Cumberland College) inj. dft. Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Wash. (USOEC)
7th – Lacy Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (Missouri Valley) pin Irene Proulx, Susanville, Calif (Lassen College), 1:48
TheMat.com rankings at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. for February 2007
1. Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
2. Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
3. Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
4. Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ. of Regina)
5. Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
6. Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Wash. (USOEC)
7. Lacy Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (Missouri Valley)
8. Dallas Monriel-Berner, Chicago, Ill.
9. Megan Goldsmith, Black River Falls, Wis.
10. Teresa Fennell, Amarillo, Texas (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
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Three area athletes honored at Girls Wrestling Nationals
By Staff reports
April 4, 2007
Three Ventura County athletes earned All-America honors at the United States Girls Wrestling Association nationals meet in Livonia, Mich.
In the largest field in the tournament's 10-year history, nearly 700 wrestlers competed.
Oxnard High senior Samantha Stych, Moorpark resident Megan Agajanian and Royal senior Jade Anderson had top-eight finishes in their weight classes.
Nine Ventura County wrestlers competed in the tournament.
Stych, competing in her third national championship tournament, was 3-3 to place eighth in the 126-pound division. She had the fastest pin — 48 seconds — in her weight class.
Agajanian, who attends Louisville High, was a repeat All-American. She was eighth in the 144-pound division with a 3-3 record. What made Agajanian's finish remarkable was that she had shoulder surgery in December.
Anderson placed sixth at 144 pounds with a 3-3 record.
Stych and Anderson will compete for the Pacific (Ore.) University women's wrestling program. Agajanian will attend the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.
Rio Mesa sophomore Michi Stoke was 12th in the 165-pound division with a record. An injury forced her to withdraw from her final match.
Erin Wildman (100 pounds) and Rebecca Polich (126) were 1-2 and did not place. Santa Paula's Nianna Davis was 1-2 at 152 pounds.
Oxnard freshman Lyanna Osier lost her first two 114-pound matches and rebounded to win all three of her consolation-bracket matches.
Fillmore sophmore Brenda Magana broke her ankle in her second match in the 118-pound division.