Virginia

Draft wrestlers ready for next bout

Published: December 7, 2008

One day, Stuarts Draft wrestler Savannah Fitzgerald challenged her father, Herman, to a bout. The outcome just solidified her calling to the mats.

The rest is history.

“Yeah, she wrestled me down and knocked out my tooth,” Herman Fitzgerald said, pointing to the old abrasion. But her father was taken back by his daughter’s ambition.

“It just came out of the blue,” Herman said. “Personally, I thought she lost her mind. I didn’t know that she’d be that good.”

The match with her father in the backyard hardened the junior’s resolve to wrestle.

“I just liked to wrestle,” Savannah said straight-faced as she pulled her bangs away from her eyes. “I don’t mind that I wrestle against the boys. It doesn’t bother me.”

Savannah is one of two girls who will wrestle for the Cougars again this season. She competes in the 119-pound class this year with her best friend and teammate Petya Rogers, who wrestles in the 125-pound class.

“I’ve always wanted to wrestle since I was in middle school,” Rogers said. “We’ve worked hard on getting better. We help each other out.”

During the Little Giants Invitational on Saturday afternoon, a loud cheering section developed for girls. Both players’ parents were hooting and encouraging Rogers during her bout against Wilson Memorial.

But the girls’ parents were not always sure that the sport was for their daughters.

Barbara Rogers was reluctant about her daughter’s love for the sport.

“In the beginning, I was afraid that she would get hurt,” Barbara said. “The first time was hard.”

The gender factor, however, was not an issue for Draft or the parents.

“This is a team sport. It’s the Stuarts Draft wrestling team. Anybody who wants to try out for the wrestling team can. They can’t turn them a way,” Barbara Rogers said. “They don’t want to be singled out as girls. They just want to be part of a team.”

After Herman saw Petya wrestle, he was convinced that she was on the right path.

“The first time I saw her daughter [Petya], she got blown to the mat and got a bloody nose,” Herman Fitzgerald said. “They stuck one of those plugs up her nose and she went right back out there. I was so proud of her.”

Draft coach Chip Campbell initially didn’t know what to expect when he first arrived three years ago. But he quickly learned about the grit his wrestlers possess.

“They both have improved their technique and toughness. I wouldn’t put them on the team if they couldn’t do everything the guys did,” Campbell said. “They’re extremely tough girls.”

Savannah finished second in the district last year. Since achieving that status, she has become a target.

“People really gun for her now,” Campbell said. “People try extra hard to beat her because they don’t want to lose to a girl.”

All the two friends want to do is wrestle and critique each other’s moves.

“This is the only time in our lives that we’re allowed to get mad at each other,” Savannah laughed.

Petya summed up her feelings about having Savannah to back her up in two words: “It’s awesome.”

11/29/08

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Oklahoma City University went to 14-1 in women’s wrestling duals this season after a 4-1 performance in the North American Duals on Friday and Saturday.

The Stars picked up a 36-6 victory over Cumberlands (Ky.) before dropping a 26-23 verdict to Cumberlands, the defending national champion.

In the win over Cumberlands, the Stars took four matches by fall. OCU’s Michaela Hutchison stuck Jessica Kelvas in 1:03 in the 59-kilogram match. Lacey Novinska, Brittany Delgado and Karon Scott finished off the dual with pins.

In the Stars’ first dual loss of the season, Cumberlands took the lead on Kendra Lewis’ 3-0, 3-1 win over Novinska. Jessica Scott of Cumberlands pinned Scott before Delgado answered with a fall over Lakia Henderson.

OCU also beat Menlo (Calif.) 41-8 buoyed by six pins. Firen Gassman of the Stars beat Kayla Garza by fall in 40 seconds at 59. Novinska finished off her opponent in 48 seconds, while Delgado ended her match at 82 in 46 seconds for OCU.

The Stars knocked off London Western Canada 34-3 on the strength of five falls. Joey Miller of the Stars notched a pin in 20 seconds at 48. LeAnn Barney and Novinska each had falls in 1:48.

OCU defeated Simon Fraser (British Columbia) 22-10 as Barney, Delgado and Novinska each scored falls.

The Stars compete next in the U.S. Olympic Education Center Duals on Saturday, Dec. 6 in Marquette, Mich.

CUMBERLANDS, KY. 24

OKLAHOMA CITY 23

44: Ashley Shannon, CU, pinned Lene Wood, 1:53 (CU leads 5-0)

48: Gabrielle Henry, CU, pinned Joey Miller, 0-1, 0:25 (CU leads 10-0)

51: LeAnn Barney, OCU, pinned Jackie Stiles, 4-2, 1:14 (CU leads 10-5)

55: Ashley Hudson, OCU, pinned Norma Rueda, 1:47 (OCU leads 10-10)

59: Michaela Hutchison, OCU, tech. fall Lauren Louive, 6-0, 6-0 (OCU leads 14-10)

63: Firen Gassman, OCU, dec. Paige Rife, 1-0, 0-4, 5-0 (OCU leads 17-11)

67: Lauren Knight, CU, pinned Tessa Plana, 1:45 (OCU leads 17-16)

72: Kendra Lewis, CU, dec. Lacey Novinska, 3-0, 3-1 (CU leads 19-17)

82: Jessica Scott, CU, pinned Karon Scott, 7-0, 1:26 (CU leads 24-18)

95: Brittany Delgado, OCU, pinned Lakia Henderson, 6-3, 1:27 (CU wins 24-23)

OKLAHOMA CITY 36

CUMBERLANDS RED 6

44: Jessica Nguyen, CU, pinned Lene Wood, 0:52

48: Nicole Woody, OCU, tech. fall Bernara Moore, 6-0, 7-0

51: LeAnn Barney, OCU, dec. Shannon Reeves, 1-1, 2-0

55: Ashley Hudson, OCU, dec. Cianah Hee, 3-0, 3-0

59: Michaela Hutchison, OCU, pinned Jessica Kelvas, 1:03

63: Firen Gassman, OCU, dec. Megan Agajanian, 2-0, 1-0

67: Samantha Phillips, OCU, dec. Lisa Tinney, 1-0, 3-0

72: Lacey Novinska, OCU, pinned Christen Paysse, 3-1, 2-3, 1:57

82: Brittany Delgado OCU, pinned Teri Milkoff, 6-0, 1:59

95: Karon Scott, OCU, pinned Amber Floyd, 4-0, 1:23

OKLAHOMA CITY 41

MENLO, CALIF. 8

44: Lene Wood, OCU, by forfeit

48: Joey Miller, OCU, by forfeit

51: Katherine Fulp-Allen, Menlo, dec. LeAnn Barney, 1-1, 3-0, 3-3

55: Michaela Hutchison, OCU, pinned Carla O'Connell, 7-0,1:56

59: Firen Gassman, OCU, pinned Kayla Garza, 0:40

63: Tessa Plana, OCU, pinned Monique Cabrera, 1-1, 1:30

67: Ashlee Evans-Smith, Menlo, by forfeit

72: Lacey Novinska, OCU, pinned Moriah Fernandez, 0:48

82: Brittany Delgado, OCU, pinned Brittany Caoile, 0:46

95: Karon Scott, OCU, pinned Laura Stewart, 1-2, 1:46

OKLAHOMA CITY 34

LONDON WESTERN CANADA 3

48: Joey Miller, OCU, pinned L. Oldham, 0:20

51: LeAnn Barney, OCU, pinned S. Stewart, 1:48

55: Michaela Hutchison, OCU, dec. L. McCallum, 6-2, 3-2

59: Firen Gassman, OCU, dec. Huszarik, 3-1, 0-2, 9-1

63: Tessa Plana, OCU, dec. Sera, 1-0, 4-1

67: Samantha Phillips, OCU, pinned E. Cochrance, 7-0, 1:10

72: Lacey Novinska, OCU, pinned C. Schmidt, 1:48

82: Brittany Delgado, OCU, pinned K. Steinhoff, 6-0, 0:31

OKLAHOMA CITY 22

SIMON FRASER, BRITISH COLUMBIA 10

48: Ashley McKilligan, SF, dec. Joey Miller, 1-1, 1-0, 0-4

51: LeAnn Barney, OCU, pinned L. Wilson, 1:16

55: Michaela Hutchison, OCU, dec. Rita Pare, 5-2, 6-0

59: Ashley Hudson, OCU, dec. Raissa Dickinson, 2-0, 1-0

63: Danielle Lappage, SF, dec. Firen Gassman, 1-0, 4-0

67: Stacie Anaka, SF, dec. Tessa Plana, 4-0, 2-0

72: Lacey Novinska, OCU, pinned Taylor Dick, 2-0, 1:50

82: Brittany Delgado, OCU, pinned Hillary Greening, 1-1, 0:47

Entry: $15.00 per girl, $125.00 per team of 10 Checks made out to Frisco ISD

Awards: Top 3 teams, medals for top 4 girls, and Outstanding Wrestler plaque.

All Texas teams have been invited. Girls from other parts of the United States have been invited to come. The first 36 girls in each bracket will be accepted. If you have any questions contact Chuck Brown @ 469-867-6290 or email at brownch@friscoisd.org

NAWABGANJ: Geetika Jakhar defied a nagging back injury to recapture the 63kg women’s title in the 53rd National wrestling championship at the Nandini Nagar College sports complex here on Sunday.

The Arjuna Award winner overcame a strong challenge from Geeta to win the final on points. In the contest which lasted for two rounds, Geeta repeatedly attacked Geetika’s legs and tried to push her out of the ring. But the experienced wrestler showed her superb skills and presence of mind to turn the tables on her opponent.

In another thrilling title clash, Sonika, who last won the title in 2003 and had been nursing an injury, pipped Gursharanpreet Kaur of Punjab for the women’s 72kg gold.

The promising youngster Mausam Khatri upset defending champion Anil Mann to take the 96kg freestyle gold.

The last competition of the championship, however, left a bitter taste in the mouth as Devender was disqualified from the 120kg Greco-Roman final after verbally abusing the officials. “He was warned and disqualified and his opponent Dharmander Dalal won the gold medal. However, Devender will get the silver,” the tournament director, Raj Singh, said.

The medallists: Freestyle: Men: 96kg: Gold: Mausam Khatri (Har-A), Silver: Anil Mann (RSPB-A), Bronze: Narender (RSPB-B), Rakesh Patel (RSPB-B). 120kg: Gold: Rajeev Tomar (RSPB-A), Silver: Joginder (Del), Bronze: Vijay Pal (WB), Rohit Patel (MP).

Women: 63kg: Gold: Geetika Jakhar (Har-A), Silver: Geeta (Har-B), Bronze: Rajani (UP-A), Pramila (MP). 72kg: Gold: Sonika (Del-A), Silver: Gursharanpreet Kaur (Pun), Bronze: Meenakshi (Har-A), Babita Singh (UP-A).

Greco-Roman: Men: 96kg: Gold: Anil (Har), Silver: Satish Kumar (Del), Bronze: Mahipal (RSPB-B), Ashok Kumar (SSCB-B). 120kg: Gold: Dharmender Dalal (RSPB-A), Silver: Devender (SSCB-B), Bronze: Rishipal (Del), Rakesh Hooda (RSPB-B).

Team championships: Freestyle: Men: Railways (59), Haryana (43), Delhi (40). Women: Haryana (65), Uttar Pradesh (47), Delhi (36). Greco-Roman: Railways (49), Services (42), Delhi (37).

Titans come up big in wrestling

The seniors went out there and recruited people," Rodrigues said. "I think the seniors were fed up (with losing) and now the guys come in with a mentality that we can have a competitive sport here. We got people that are stepping up and promoting the program."

It's yet to be determined if this will translate to league play, but the Titans are at least headed in the right direction.

In other wrestling action, James Logan won the Freedom Duals after a third-place finish a year ago. The Colts beat Golden Valley-Sacramento in the finals 45-27.

The Colts had four individual champions — Kristian Blanco (119), Lawrence Blanco (130), Danny Ma (145) and Aaron Boon (152), all of whom went 5-0.

leave the lights on: The Fremont Unified School District has approved night soccer at Tak Fudenna Stadium thanks to the efforts of several dedicated parents, teachers, administrators and fans.

The MVAL season gets under way today with three girls matches. Tak will host James Logan vs. Irvington at 5:45 p.m. and Mission San Jose against Kennedy at 7:45 p.m. American, which refurbished its field, will host Newark Memorial at 3:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, the boys play with one match at Tak: Kennedy vs. Mission at 5:45 p.m. Newark will host American, and Logan will host Irvington. Both matches will be at 6 p.m.

junior golfer gets it done: Mac McClung, a senior at Irvington, won the boys 15-18 age group title at the California Junior Tournament over the weekend at La Costa Resort & Spa with a two-day total of 144. McClung, the defending MVAL champion, shot an even-par 72 on both days.

"It's big," McClung said. "I know I can play well and finally getting it done and getting a win like this is huge for my confidence.

"I'm looking forward to another good year of high school and hope to get to state. I think the MVAL (players) keep getting better and better each year."