News Page
8/7/2002
Katie Quatman/USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) are excited to announce the creation of the first U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) Women's Wrestling Resident Athlete Program.
This exciting new program, a cooperative effort between USA Wrestling and the USOC, provides a full-time training opportunity for elite women freestyle wrestlers at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., and officially begins Aug. 19, 2002.
The initial resident athletes will feature many of the nation's best women wrestlers, including five of the seven No. 1 ranked women in the country. Terry Steiner, who joined USA Wrestling full-time as the Women's National Team Coach in the beginning of August, will oversee the training and conditioning of the women athletes.
Currently, both men's Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling maintain resident programs at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado. Greco-Roman began its resident program in 1993, while freestyle started its program in the fall of 1997. Over the years, both programs have grown in size and quality and have been successful in developing a number of athletes into World and Olympic medalists. In addition, the quality of competition and depth of the national program has improved in both styles.
The establishment of the resident athlete program should help continue to pace the growth of women's wrestling as an Olympic sport, as well as the performance of the U.S. team.
"The resident program is a huge step for us," said National Women's Coach Terry Steiner. "To have a training environment where the women can train with other top women wrestlers and concentrate solely on freestyle wrestling should be a great asset to their development."
Steiner, a three-time All-American and 1993 NCAA Champion at the University of Iowa, accepted the position of USA Wrestling's National Women's Coach in April. Some of his previous coaching experiences include six years as an assistant coach at Wisconsin and two years as an assistant coach at Oregon State. Steiner has helped to develop many of the top college wrestlers in the nation such as two-time NCAA Champion Donny Pritzlaff.
USOTC residents live in a dormitory-type setting on the Training Center complex, and enjoy full use of the USOC's training, medical, and food facilities. The USOC also provides distinguished sports psychologists, bio-mechanists, and strength and conditioning coaches for its resident athletes to help maximize each athlete's potential.
Another advantage of having a resident athlete program is the opportunity to hold joint training camps with foreign nations. Wrestlers from across the world can come to train and compete with the residents, providing additional international experience for the U.S. wrestlers.
Providing an outstanding training environment conducive to high-intensity training, all of the resident programs are designed to help the United States remain as one of the dominant wrestling nations in the world, and continue to win Olympic medals for the United States.
National Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett and other USA Wrestling coaching staff members will be working with the women alongside Steiner. They all have high expectations and aspirations for the U. S. Women's National Team in the upcoming years.
"We are excited and confident that the resident program will be the cornerstone about which our women's success at the 2004 Olympic Games will be based," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director.
Beginning in August, the USOTC will begin to welcome 18 of the nation's most talented women wrestlers who have been chosen to make the move to Colorado Springs. They will bring with them lifelong dreams and strong anticipation of helping establish U.S. women's wrestling as a force to be reckoned with in its inaugural appearance at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Most of the residents accepted will begin right away in August, while a number of others will join full-time later in the year.
The No. 1 ranked wrestlers who will help form the first women's resident team are Patricia Miranda (Stanford, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Jenny Wong (Stillwater, Minn./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112 lbs., Tina George-Wilson (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Sara McMann (Lock Haven, Pa./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.5 lbs., and Katie Downing (Pendleton, Ind. /UM-Morris) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Miranda, Wong and George-Wilson are scheduled to start in the program in August, while McMann and Downing will join this winter.
The No. 2 ranked wrestlers who have joined the program are Clarissa Chun (Kapolei, Hawaii/Wilson's Angels) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Katie Kunimoto (Kaneohe, Hawaii/Pacific) at 51 kg/112 lbs., Stephanie Murata (Minden, Nev./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs., and Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Most of the resident athletes will be on the USOTC campus, while some will live off campus but have full access to the training resources.
The past year has seen many milestones for women in wrestling. The women's resident program is just one of many examples of the progression of women in the sport. Since the International Olympic Committee announced in September 2001 that women's freestyle will be added to the official program at the 2004 Olympic Games, the opportunities and the promotion of women's wrestling have greatly increased.
In May 2002, a two-month training camp for women was held at USOTC, marking the first time that top women wrestlers were brought together for an organized training camp other than for the World Championships. The camp proved to be beneficial as the participants showed significant improvement and were provided experience of what a resident athlete program would feature.
To help promote the development of the sport in younger girls, the first USA Wrestling National Women's Developmental Camp was held in Colorado Springs July 1-7. The coaching staff consisted of experienced women's coaches and accomplished current women's wrestlers, with over 40 campers involved.
For the first time in history, women's freestyle wrestling was featured at the ASICS Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D., July 20-27 2002. The best female high school wrestlers in the nation competed for national titles and All-American awards in the tournament, which is considered the largest and most prestigious youth wrestling event in the world.
2002-2003 USOTC WOMENS FREESTYLE RESIDENT ATHLETES
as of 8/5/02
48 kg/105.5 lbs. *
Clarissa Chun, Kapolei, Hawaii
Patricia Miranda, Stanford, Calif.
Malinda Ripley, Antioch, Calif.
51 kg/112 lbs.
Katie Kunimoto, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Jenny Wong, Stillwater, Minn.
55 kg/121 lbs. *
Tina George-Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Stephanie Murata, Minden, Nev.
Tela O'Donnell, Homer, Alaska
59 kg/130 lbs.
Erin Tomeo, Volant, Pa.
63 kg/138.5 lbs. *
Tori Adams, Amarillo, Texas
Sara McMann, Lock Haven, Pa.
Sally Roberts, Federal Way, Wash.
67 kg/147.5 lbs.
Katie Downing, Pendleton, Ind.
72 kg/158.5 lbs.*
Samantha Branka, Lincoln Park, Mich.
Rachel Glogowski, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Kaci Lyle, Eureka, Calif.
Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Satrinina Vernon, Rodeo, Calif.
* = Olympic weight class
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FILA Cadet and FILA Junior women wrestlers compete against China’s best on international tour
8/7/2002
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
A tour team of talented young U.S. wrestlers traveled to Beijing, China for a successful competition and training tour, July 31-Aug. 9.
Included in the group were many of America’s top age-group female wrestlers, who qualified to participate through the FILA Cadet and FILA Junior National Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn. in May. In addition, a number of talented boys wrestlers also competed as part of the tour.
The trip was organized by World Sport Alliance, USA Wrestling’s official international exchange provider. Wade Genova of World Sport Alliance has posted a day-by-day report on the tour on the WSA web page (http://wrestlingtours.com).
The team competed in dual matchups on August 4, August 6 and August 7, in addition to joint training with top Chinese age-group athletes. Lee Allen, the head coach of the Menlo College women’s wrestling team and a past Olympic Greco-Roman coach, served as a coach for the team during the tour. Coach and official Rusty Davidson was also on the tour.
The girls team featured many of the nation’s top high school wrestlers, including three champions from the first ASICS Junior Nationals for girls: Heather Martin of Ohio, Amberle Montgomery of Washington and Brandy Rosenbrock of Michigan.
The U.S. girls that won all of their matches during the tour were Ali Bernard of Minnesota, Caitlyn Chase of Illinois and Sara Fulp Allen of California.
Among the sightseeing tours were a visit to Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City (with its impressive Imperial Palace), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace. the Ancient Sacred Way, the Ming Tombs the Great Wall of China, Silk Alley and the Beijing Zoo.
U.S. Girls results
Sara Bergman, Minnesota, 1-3 record - lost dec. to Qiu Meng , 17-16; lost by tech. fall to Yong Chen, 11-0, pin Wang Li; lost dec. to Wang Li, 11-5
Ali Bernard, Minnesota, 3-0 record - pin Hu Ying; pin Zhong Xinxin; pin Pan Yan
Caitlyn Chase, Illinois, 3-0 record - pin Wang Li; dec. Jiong Qi, 8-3; won by tech. fall over Zhong Meiting, 10-0
Toni Copeland, New York, 0-3 record - lost dec. to Huang Wenwen, 11-5; lost pin to Zhang Xinxin; lost dec. to Guo Yanfeng, 8-6
Katherine Fulp Allen, California, 0-3 record - lost by tech. fall to Jiang Qi, 10-0; lost dec. to Wong Li, 5-0; lost by tech. fall to Han Qiuying, 11-1
Sara Fulp Allen, California, 4-0 record - dec. Yang Chen, 10-6; won by tech. fall over Qiu Meng, 10-0; pin Su Haimei; won by tech. fall over Jiang Qi, 10-0
Renee Green, 0-3 record - lost by tech. fall to Jiao Yuanyuan, 11-0; lost pin to Lui Bin; lost pin to Jiau Yuanyuan
Anna Jenkins, Michigan, 0-3 record - lost by tech. fall to Zhang Xinxin, 10-0; lost by tech. fall to Huan Wenwen, 11-0; lost dec. to Nie Jing, 12-4
Heather Martin, Ohio, 2-2 record - lost dec. to Zhang Xinxin, 8-3, lost by tech. fall to Boa Xueli, 12-1; pin Meng Jian; pin Pang Yan
Anna Matteson, North Carolina, 0-4 record - lost by tech. fall to Zhang Xinxin, 11-0; lost pin to Hu Ying; lost by tech. fall to Pang Yan, 11-1; lost by tech. fall to Wang Xinlian, 10-0
Amberle Montgomery, Oregon, 1-1 record - lost dec. to An Luipei, 9-5; pin Xin Xin
Chelynne Pringle, Minnesota, 0-4 record - lost dec. to Yan Xia, 13-6; lost dec. to Liu Bin, 14-7; lost by tech. fall to Liu Bin, 15-4; lost dec. to Guo Yanfeng, 9-7
Deanna Rix, Maine, 2-2 record - lost dec. to Bao Xiaijing, 8-7; dec. Xin Xin, 10-8; won by tech. fall over Luo Haipai; lost dec. to Wong Xiu Lian, 6-2
Brandy Rosenbrock, Michigan, 2-1 record - dec. Jiao Yuanyuan, 8-6, pin Yan Xia; pin Gao Peil; lost pin to Yuan Xia
Misty Stalley, California, 3-1 record - won by inj. dft. over Bao Xueli, lost pin to Hu Ying; dec. Song Qian, 9-3; pin Hu Ying
Dina Tavera, 0-3 record - lost by tech. fall ot Yan Xia, 10-0; lost dec. to Huong Wenwen, 8-0; lost by tech. fall to Zhang Xinxin, 12-1
Natasha Umemoto, Oregon, 3-1 record - pin Xin Xin; lost by tech. fall to An Liupeu, 10-0; won by tech. fall over Cui Haili; won by tech. fall over Yang Chen, 13-2
Alisha Zahn, 1-2 record - lost by tech. fall to Liu Bin, 10-0, lost by tech. fall to Jiao Yuanyuan, 12-0; pin Huang Wenwen
U.S. Boys results
Benjamin Barnes, 1-2 record - pin Liu Zheng; lost dec. to Guo Xiaoqiang, 7-4; lost dec. to Guo Xiao Qiang, 9-6
Sean Barnes, 1-1 record - lost dec. to Wang Tao, 8-4; dec. Wang Tao, 4-0
Sterling Davidson, 1-1 record - lost by tech. fall to Gao Pan, 13-3; lost pin to Huang Chao
Ryan Enoch, 0-3 record - lost dec. to Wei Gongze, 12-10; lost dec. to Gao Reng, 18-6; lost by tech. fall to Yu Haixu, 12-1
Travis Ralls ,0-3 record - lost by tech. fall to Zhang Bin, 10-0; lost pin to Tang Yaqing; lost tech. fall to Xiang Yue, 11-0
Curtis Roddy, 1-2 record - lost dec. to Wang Chong, 14-8; lost tech. fall to Lin Zheng, 11-1; won by tech. fall over Cai Sen, 12-2
Results #1
Heather Martin vs Zhang Xinxin (Lost 3-8)
Katherin Fulp Allen vs Jiang Qi (Lost 0-10)
Caitlyn Chase vs Wang Li (Won by pin)
Sara Bergman vs Qiu Meng (Lost 16-17)
Sara Fulp Allen vs Yang Chen (Won 10-6)
Natasha Umemoto vs Xin Xin (Won by pin)
Amberlie Montgomery vs An Luipei (Lost 5-9)
Deanna Rix vs Bao Xiaijing (Lost 7-8)
Alisha Zahn vs Liu Bin (Lost 0-10)
Chelynne Pringle vs Yan Xia (Lost 6-13)
Brandy Rosenbrock vs Jiao Yuanyuan (Won 8-6)
Renee Green vs Jiao Yuanyuan (Lost 0-11)
Anna Jenkins vs Zhang Xinxin (Lost 0-10)
Dina Tavera vs Yan Xia (Lost 0-10)
Tony Copeland vs Huang Wenwen (Lost 5-11)
Anna Matteson vs Zhang Xinxin (Lost 0-11)
Ali Bernard vs Hu Ying (Won by pin)
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results from 2nd dual
Heather Martin vs Boa Xueli (Lost 1-12)
Brandy Rosenbrock vs Yan Xia (Won by pin)
Katherine Fulp Allen vs Wong Li (Lost 0-5)
Caitlyn Chase vs Jiong Qi (Won 8-3)
Sara Bergman vs Yong Chen(Lost 0-11)
Sara Bergman vs Wang Li 2nd match (Won by pin)
Sara Fulp Allen vs Qiu Meng (Won 10-0)
Natasha Umemoto vs An Liupeu (Lost 0-10)
Dianna Rix vs Xin Xin (Won 10-8)
Alisha Zahn vs Jiao Yuanyuan (Lost 0-12)
Chelynn Pringle vs Liu Bin (Lost 7-14)
Renne Green vs Lui Bin (Lost by Pin)
Dina Tavera vs Huong Wenwen (Lost 0-8)
Toni Copeland vs Zhang Xinxin (Lost by pin)
Anna Matteson vs Hu Ying (Lost by pin)
Ali Bernard vs Zhong Xinxin (Won 6-4)
Misty Stalley vs Bao Xueli (Won by inj. def)
Misty Stalley vs Hu Ying (Lost by pin
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results from the last dual:
Sara Fulp-Allen vs Su Haimei (Won by Pin)
Sara Fulp-Allen vs Jiang Qi (Won 10-0)
Natasha Umemoto vs Cui Haili (Won 10-0)
Natasha Umemoto vs Yang Chen (Won 13-2)
Amberle Montgomery vs Xin Xin (Won by pin)
Deanna Rix vs Luo Haipai (Won by pin)
Deanna Rix vs Wong Xiu Lian (Lost 2-6)
Alisha Zahn vs Haung Wenwen (Won by pin)
Chelynne Pringle vs Liu Bin (Lost 4-15)
Chelynne Pringle vs Guo Yanfeng (Lost 7-9)
Brandy Rosenbrock vs Gao Pei (Won by pin)
Brandy Rosenbrock vs Yuan Xia (Lost by pin)
Renee Green vs Jian Yuanyuan (Lost by pin)
Anna Jenkins vs Huan Wenwen (Lost 11-0)
Anna Jenkins vs Nie Jing (Lost 4-12)
Dina Tavera vs Zhang Xinxin (Lost 1-12)
Toni Copeland vs Guo Yanfeng (Lost 6-8)
Anna Matteson vs Pang Yan (Lost 1-11)
Anna Matteson vsWang Xinlian (Lost 0-10)
Ali Bernard vs Pan Yan (Won by pin)
Heather Martin vs Meng Jian (Won by pin)
Heather Martin vs Pang Yan (Won by pin)
Misty Stalley vs Song Qian (Won 9-3)
Misty Stalley vs Hu Ying (Won by pin)
Katherine Fulp-Allen vs Han Qiuying (Lost 1-11)
Caitlyn Chase vs Zhong Meiting (Won 10-0)
Sara Bergman vs Wang Li (Lost 5-11)
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Cadet China Results
Win - Lose Ratio:
KATHERINE FULP ALLEN 0-3
CAITLYN CHASE 3-0
SARA BERGMAN 1-3
SARA FULP ALLEN 4-0
NATASHA UMENTO 2-1
AMBERLY MONTGOMERY 1-1
DIANNA RIX 2-2
ALISHA ZAHN 1-2
CHELYNNE PRINGLE0-4
BRANDY ROSENBROCK 3-1
RENEE GREEN 0-3
ANNA JENKINS 0-3
DINA TAVERA 0-3
TONI COPELAND 0-3
ANNA MATTESON 0-3
ALI BERNARD 3-0
HEATHER MARTIN 2-2
MISTY STALLEY 3-1