News Page

12/12/02

DOUG BINDER

The Olympics are a ways off, but Tualatin High School junior Sammi Lang seems to get closer and closer to realizing her dream.

Lang, 16, beat Kaci Lyle, the nation's third-ranked women's 154-pounder, on Nov. 30 at the Pacific Open, a college tournament in Forest Grove.

It was a rare chance for Lang, a two-time junior national champion, to wrestle one of the top-ranked women. Lang has to wait until she turns 17 next year before she can wrestle women in tournaments sanctioned by the United States Girls' Wrestling Association.

The Pacific Open was a college tournament, so Lang was able to compete.

Lang injured an ankle in October and wasn't at full strength at Forest Grove. She is resting the ankle and hasn't joined Tualatin High's team yet.

In January, Lang will attend an international judo camp at Colorado Springs, Colo.

But wrestling remains her passion.

Lang is ranked No. 1 at 165 pounds in a national preseason poll by Wrestling USA magazine.

Momentum continues to build for women in the male-dominated sport. The International Olympic Committee announced in September 2001 that women's freestyle will be added to the official program at the 2004 Olympic Games.

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

Missouri Valley College seeks full-time assistant women's wrestling coach immediately

Mike Machholz, the head wrestling coach at Missouri Valley College, has announced that the university is seeking a full-time assistant coach for its nationally-prominent women's wrestling team.

The position is immediately available for this season, and Maccholz is seeking candidates right away. The goal is to have the assistant coach work with him to coach the women's team this season. A successful candidate would have the possibility of becoming the head coach of the women's team next year.

There are a number of different options available for compensation for this new full-time coach, which can be discussed with Machholz during the interview process.

Missouri Valley College was the No. 1 ranked team in U.S. women's college wrestling last season and is among the most respected women's programs in North America. Since creating a women's program, Missouri Valley College has developed a number of nationally-ranked women freestyle wrestlers on the U.S. Senior level within USA Wrestling.

Those interested in this opportunity should contact Machholz immediately at:

Missouri Valley College
Mike Machholz, Head Wrestling Coach
500 E. College
Marshall, Mo 65340
(660)831-4158
(660)831-4038 FAX
machholzm@moval.edu