News Page
6/22/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
2000 Olympic Champion and 2001 World Champion Rulon Gardner (Cascade, Colo./Sunkist Kids) won the third and deciding match to defeat 2002 World Champion Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in a battle of superstars at 120 kg/264.5 pounds in Greco-Roman wrestling at the USA Wrestling World Team Trials in Indianapolis, Ind., June 22.
On the strength of a three-point throw, Byers won the first match , 3-2. Gardner rebounded to win the second match of the series, 3-2 in overtime. The deciding third match between the champions ended in a 2-2 tie after 9:00, but Gardner won the match because Byers had more passivities and cautions during the bout.
Competition was held in the three Olympic styles of wrestling, men’s freestyle, men’s Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle wrestling.
The winners in each weight class for the men’s divisions qualify for the 2003 U.S. World Championships team and the 2003 Pan American Games team. The Freestyle World Championships for men and women will be held in New York City, Sept. 12-14. The Greco-Roman World Championships are in Cretiel, France in October. The Pan American Games are in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in August.
The winners in the four women’s Olympic weight classes (48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg) qualify for both the World Championships team and the Pan American Games team. The other three non-Olympic weight classes (51 kg, 59 kg, 67 kg) are not included in the Pan American Games. These weight class champions may also be subject to a Special Wrestle-off for the U.S. World Team, from a medalist at an Olympic weight class, based upon USA Wrestling rules.
Among the men’s freestyle champions was emerging star Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC), who scored a two-match sweep at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. over 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids). Kelly will be competing on his first U.S. World Team.
Kelly won from a clinch position to earn a 4-2 overtime win in match one. In the second bout, Kelly opened up the offense for a 7-3 victory. To qualify for the Championship Series, Kelly also defeated 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Lincoln McIlravy (Colorado Springs, Colo./McIlravy WC) in the Challenge Tournament finals on Saturday.
In the women’s freestyle division, 2002 World silver medalist Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) needed the full three matches to defeat 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Tela O’Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
George won the first match of the series, 5-2, but O’Donnell rebounded with a pin in 4:38 in the second match. George won the third and deciding match, 6-3. O’Donnell had defeated George at the 2003 U.S. Nationals in May.
In men’s freestyle, five members of the 2002 U.S. World Team were able to reclaim their spot and will compete at the World Championships. In 2002, the U.S. team did not compete at the World Championships in Iran due to a threat of violence to the team.
Earning the trip to New York from last year’s team were Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Eric Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Joe Williams (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs., Cael Sanderson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All five won their Championship Series in two straight bouts.
Abas beat Mike Mena (Bloomington, Ind./New York AC) in two straight bouts, 6-1 and 3-0. Guerrero stopped Mike Zadick, 3-0 and 5-1. Williams defeated Joe Heskett (Grover Beach, Calif./Gator WC), 3-0 and 6-1. Sanderson controlled Lee Fullhart (Chattanooga, Tenn./Gator WC), 7-2 and 3-0. McCoy shut out Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), 9-0 and 6-0.
Williams won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships. All of the others are seeking their first World-level medal. McCoy was a member of the 2000 Olympic team, the only Olympian on the men’s freestyle team.
The U.S. World team member at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. has not yet been determined.
Dean Morrison (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) needed three matches to win the World Team Trials title over 2002 World Team member Tim Hartung (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm). Morrison won the first match, 4-1 in overtime, but Hartung rebounded with a 2-0 referee’s decision in overtime in bout two. In the deciding third match, Morrison used a three-point throw off the clinch to defeat Hartung, 3-2.
Morrison advances to a Special Wrestle-off against 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC), who received an extension on his finals series. This best-of-three series for the U.S. World Team spot will be held at a site and date to be determined.
In men’s Greco-Roman, six of the seven members of the 2002 U.S. World Team defended their titles. The only member of that team not to reclaim the No. 1 position was Byers.
The six returning World Team members who claimed titles in Indianapolis are Brandon Paulson (Anoka, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Jim Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Kevin Bracken (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 74 kg/163 lbs., Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Garrett Lowney (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Of these athletes, two are past Olympic medalists. Paulson won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games and added a silver medal at the 2001 World Championships. Lowney was a 2000 Olympic bronze medalist. All of the other athletes are seeking their first World-level medal.
Dantzler needed three bouts to stop his archrival Keith Sieracki (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army). Dantzler won the first match, 4-1 in overtime. Sieracki rebounded with a 3-2 overtime win. In the final bout, Dantzler received the nod in a 1-1 overtime referee’s decision.
Paulson beat Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 3-1 and 4-1. Gruenwald beat Glenn Nieradka (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 4-0 and 3-1. Bracken stopped James Shillow (Fredricksburg, Va./U.S. Marine Corps), 3-0 and 5-0. Vering won both of his matches by injury default over Jake Clark (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps), in 2:43 and 0:10. Lowney defeated Justin Ruiz (Taylorsville, Utah/Dave Schultz WC), 5-1 and 4-0.
Winning titles in the Olympic weight classes for women, which include spots on the World and Pan American teams, were George, plus Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. All four were also members of the 2002 U.S. World Team.
Miranda beat Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) by technical fall in both bouts, 11-0 and 13-0. McMann defeated six-time World medalist Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 10-0 and 5-2. Montgomery defeated Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids), 8-7 in overtime and 8-5.
The women’s division featured a pair of three-match series, the first won by George and the other by Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Wong defeated 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids). Wong won bout one, 3-2 and Ripley took bout two, 4-0 in overtime. Wong claimed the series with a 3-0 win in the final bout.
The other women winners were Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.
Tomeo beat Grace Magnussen (Walnut Creek, Calif./Dave Schultz WC), 13-3 and 8-0. Downing stopped Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 3-0 and 3-0. Downing was a hometown favorite, having attended high school in nearby Pendleton, Ind.
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Champions quotes from women's freestyle Challenge Tournament
6/21/2003
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun
What was your game plan going into the match?
Just to keep motion and stop her from shooting on me.
Did you get tired in the second period when she made her comeback?
I need to work on my head. I expect too much of myself that makes me get breathing and kind of tired. I need to work on my preparation. Sometime I respect my opponent too much. I am too conservative on the mat.
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong
You dominated this match. Did the loss at nationals motivate you?
I think it did, but Malinda is a tough competitor as well. I just wanted to wrestle up to my ability out there today. I did a lot of good things out there and hopefully I can carry it over to tomorrow.
You get a rematch with Malinda. Will you have a different game plan this time?
Probably not. She is a great wrestler, but I just need to stay aggressive and patient. Hopefully it will work in my favor.
59 kg/130 lbs. - Grace Magnussen
Was this the biggest win of his career?
That's my first time winning the Challenge Tournament. I just wanted to be smart and be tough.
What do you need to do against Erin Tomeo?
It's mainly mental for me. I just have to mentally prepare for tomorrow and keep my self-esteem high and stay confident. She's a really good wrestler technically. For me, it's mainly mental now.
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kristie Marano
How were you able to make such a comeback?
Being out in Colorado has helped me a lot, because Terry Steiner puts us in a lot of situations. Being in those the last two months has really helped me prepare for tournaments like this.
What will you do to compete with Sara McMann this time around?
I'm going to try to wrestle the way I used to. I want to be aggressive, but not overly aggressive.
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Kaci Lyle
What did you do to take control of that match?
Maneuver, attack and get my shots in. I got a rough start. She was pushing and I was trying to get inside on her. I hit that high-crotch right off the bat.
What will be your game plan tomorrow?
She's a real defensive wrestler. I am going to try to move her with my shots. She can't stop my shots. Last time, she beat me on my moves. I know that won't happen this time.
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Samantha Lang
Do you expect your match with Toccara to be a lot different than the one at nationals?
I feel a lot better this tournament, so I am hoping to go out there and perform well.
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6/21/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) upset 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Lincoln McIlravy (Colorado Springs, Colo./McIlravy WC) to capture the 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Challenge Tournament at the World Team Trials in Indianapolis, Ind., June 21.
One of the most exciting matches of the entire tournament, Kelly was able to score exposure points on McIlravy in an explosive display of wrestling. Kelly edged McIlravy 7-6 and will advance to the Championship Series on Sunday, where he will face 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) in best-of-three series.
McIlravy made a comeback in wrestling this winter. He resigned his position as USA Wrestling’s Freestyle Resident Coach to return to the mat. He was third in the U.S. Nationals in May, his first major event since the Sydney Olympics. Kelly’s victory of McIlravy was the most important of his career, and keeps alive his goal of making the U.S. World team this year.
In women’s freestyle wrestling, six-time World medalist Kristie Marano (Albany, N.Y./New York AC) came from behind twice to edge Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) , 10-7, in the Challenge Tournament finals at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Marano fell behind Roberts 5-0 early in the bout, but rebounded to tie the score at 5-5 at the mid break. Roberts, a 2003 U.S. Nationals champion at 59 kg/130 lbs., jumped to a 7-6 lead late in the match. With about 10 seconds to go, Marano tossed Roberts to her back for three points, and an additional back point, to win as time ran out, 10-7.
Marano, a 2000 World Champion, will face 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in best-of-three series on Sunday. McMann beat Marano in the finals of the World Team Trials last year.
A review of the other men’s freestyle matches:
At 55 kg/121 lbs., Mike Mena (Bloomington, Ind./New York AC) captured the Challenge Tournament by defeating Jeremy Hunter (Champaign, Ill./New York AC), 3-2. The match was decided when Hunter was penalized in the clinch position. Mena makes the Championship Series of the Challenge Tournament for the first time, where he faces 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids) in best-of-three series on Sunday.
At 60 kg/132 lbs., newcomer Mike Zadick (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) continued his torrid wrestling with a 6-0 decision over Jason Kutz (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in the Challenge Tournament finals. Zadick is in his first year in Senior level freestyle, and placed third in the U.S. Nationals earlier this year. Zadick will battle 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Eric Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) in best-of-three series on Sunday.
At 74 kg/163 lbs, Joe Heskett (Grover Beach, Calif./Gator WC) moved on to the Championship Finals with a 4-1 win over Kirk White (Tacoma, Wash./Dave Schultz WC). In the best-of-three series on Sunday, Heskett will earn another chance to face 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Joe Williams (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), who beat Heskett in the national finals in Las Vegas.
For the second straight year, the 84 kg/185 lbs. Challenge Tournament was won by Lee Fullhart (Chattanooga, Tenn./Gator WC), who stopped 2001 World silver medalist Brandon Eggum (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm), 3-1. Waiting for Fullhart in the Championship Series is 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Cael Sanderson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) in best-of-three series on Sunday. Sanderson needed three matches to defeat Fullhart last season.
At 96 kg/211.5 lbs., Tim Hartung (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) edged Dominic Black (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 3-2. Hartung will battle 2003 U.S. Nationals Runner-up Dean Morrison (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) in best-of-three series on Sunday. The winner on Sunday will still face a Special Wrestle-off against 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC), who received an extension for his finals series to a time and date to be determined.
At 120 kg/264.5 lbs, Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) stopped Brian Keck (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 3-0. Thompson will now face 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC) in Sunday’s Championship Series. McCoy defeated Thompson in the U.S. Nationals finals in May.
In the women’s division, all of the highest seeded wrestlers won their Challenge Tournament matches. Six of the seven Championship Series finals will be rematches of the final matches at the 2003 U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas in May.
At 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) edged Mary Kelly (Mahomet, Ill./Dave Schultz WC), 7-6, using upper body throws for the difference in the match. Chun now draws 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) in the best-of-three series on Sunday.
At 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) was dominant in a 12-1 technical fall win over Danielle Hobeika (Princeton, N.J./Dave Schultz WC) in the finals. On Sunday, Wong will get another chance at 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), who upset Wong in the U.S. Nationals finals.
At 55 kg/121 lbs., in a dominant performance early in the bout, 2002 World silver medalist Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) defeated Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 11-5. George will have a rematch with 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Tela O’Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) in the best-of-three series on Sunday. O’Donnell edged George in the U.S. Nationals finals in May.
The only World Team Trials finals that is not at rematch from the U.S. Nationals is at 59 kg/130 lbs. In the Challenge Tournament finals, Grace Magnussen (Walnut Creek, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) beat Lindsay Owens (Ripon, Calif./Menlo), 5-1. Magnussen will battle 2003 U.S. Nationals Runner-up Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in best-of-three series on Sunday. Tomeo moved up into the No. 1 seed, when national champion Sally Roberts did not make weight and moved up.
At 67 kg/147.5 lbs., Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) won a very close match against Stephany Lee (Honolulu, Hawaii/Rainbow Wahine WC), scoring late to secure a 5-3 win. Lyle and 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) will meet in Sunday’s Championship Series.
At 72 kg/158.5 lbs., Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids) ran a bar arm move to turn and pin Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in 3:55. The victory earned Lang, a high school star, the chance to face 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College) in best-of-three series on Sunday. Lang and Montgomery have met four times since January, each with two wins, but Montgomery won the last match by a technical fall.
The winners of Sunday’sfinals series win a spot on the 2003 U.S. World Championships team. In all seven men’s weight classes, and in four of the women’s weight classes, the winners on Sunday also qualify for the Pan American Games team.
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6/20/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
The first day of the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in men and women’s freestyle was headlined by intense action, and some exciting upsets.
This event, featuring the best amateur wrestlers in the United States will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. through Sunday, June 22.
In the men ‘s division, both Challenge Tournament semifinals at 55 kg/121 lbs. were won by the lower ranked wrestler.
Jeremy Hunter (Champaign, Ill./New York AC), who was seeded No. 4 in the Challenge Tournament, defeated top-seeded Eric Akin (Lincoln, Neb./Dave Schultz WC), 4-3. In the other match, No. 3 Mike Mena (Bloomington, Ind./New York AC) scored a 1-1 overtime referee’s decision victory over No. 2 Teague Moore (Norman, Okla./Gator WC). The difference in the criterion that gave Mena the win was a caution call against Moore.
Hunter and Mena will meet in the Challenge Tournament finals on Saturday. The winner of that match will battle 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids) in the best-of-three Championship Series on Sunday.
In the women’s division, one of the best matches occurred at 55 kg/121 lbs., when No. 3 Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) defeated No. 2 Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 4-3 in overtime. Van Dusen scored a clean takedown in overtime for the win. Murata was a 2001 World silver medalist and a seven-time U.S. Nationals champion.
Marcie Van Dusen will face 2002 World silver medalist Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in the Challenge Tournament finals on Saturday. Waiting for the winner is 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Tela O’Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) for Sunday’s Championship Series.
The session featured some spectacular wrestling, as the Challenge Tournament finals were set in 14 weight divisions (seven for men, seven for women).
Among the star men wrestlers to qualify for the Challenge Tournament finals was 2000 Olympic silver medalist Lincoln McIlravy (Colorado Springs, Colo./McIlravy WC), who defeated Reggie Wright (Bloomington, Ind./Gator WC), 6-1 in the semifinals.
McIlravy will face Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) in the Challenge Tournament finals, who upset top-seeded Bill Zadick (Coralville, Iowa/Hawkeye WC), 4-3 in their semifinals showdown.
Among the star women athletes to advance to the Challenge Tournament finals was six-time World medalist Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 63 kg/138.75 pounds. Marano pinned Brandy Rosenbrock (St. Claire Shores, Mich./Michigan WC) in 4:50 in her semifinal match. The finals opponent is Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), who needed to go to overtime to edge Lauren Lamb (Farmington, N.Y./Michigan WC), 7-6. Roberts was the 2003 U.S. Nationals champion at 59 kg/130 lbs., but moved up a division for this competition.
Each of the winners of Saturday’s Challenge Tournament finals will advance to Sunday’s Championship Series, to face the 2003 U.S. Nationals champion at their weight class. The winner of the best-of-three series on Sunday qualifies for the U.S. teams for the 2003 World Championships and the 2003 Pan American Games.
MEN’S FREESTYLE CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT FINALISTS
55 kg/121 lbs.
Jeremy Hunter (Champaign, Ill./New York AC) vs. Mike Mena (Bloomington, Ind./New York AC)
60 kg/132 lbs.
Jason Kutz (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) vs. Mike Zadick (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Lincoln McIlravy (Colorado Springs, Colo./McIlravy WC) vs. Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs.
Joe Heskett (Grover Beach, Calif./Gator WC) vs. Kirk White (Tacoma, Wash./Dave Schultz WC)
84 kg/185 lbs.
Lee Fullhart (Chattanooga, Tenn./Gator WC) vs. Brandon Eggum (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Tim Hartung (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) vs. Dominic Black (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army)
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) vs. Brian Keck (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC)
WOMEN’S FREESTYLE CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT FINALISTS
48 kg (105.5 lbs.)
Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) vs. Mary Kelly (Mahomet, Ill./Dave Schultz WC)
51 kg (112 lbs.)
Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) vs. Danielle Hobeika (Princeton, N.J./Dave Schultz WC)
55 kg (121 lbs.)
Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) vs. Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
59 kg (130 lbs.)
Grace Magnussen (Walnut Creek, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) vs. Lindsay Owens (Ripon, Calif./Menlo)
63 kg (138.5 lbs.)
Kristie Marano (Albany, N.Y./ATWA) vs. Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC)
67 kg (147.5 lbs.)
Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) vs. Stephany Lee (Honolulu, Hawaii/Rainbow Wahine WC)
72 kg (158.5 lbs.)
Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids) vs. Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army)
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10 Questions for U.S. Nationals champion Toccara Montgomery
6/19/2003
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
TOCCARA MONTGOMERY
2002-03 Team USA Ranking: No. 1 at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Years on Team USA: 4 (2000-04)
Residence: Cleveland, Ohio
Club: Cumberland College
College: Cumberland College
High School: Cleveland, Ohio (East Technical HS)
Born: December 30, 1982
Height: 5-6
1. You won your third straight U.S. Nationals, but your first at 72 kg. Was the weight class tougher than you expected?
Montgomery: I wrestled a lot of the girls at this weight class prior to the nationals. I knew what to expect of my competition going into the tournament.
2. Talk about your opponent in the national finals - Samantha Lang. How good is she?
Montgomery: I think that she is definitely a great athlete and a great competitor. She has a style different than anyone I have ever wrestled. I expect her to keep knipping at my heels for the next couple of years.
3. You had lost to her twice in the past year. She is the only U.S. wrestler to defeat you this year. Did that weigh on your mind at all as you entered the match?
Montgomery: It did. I had went for song long without losses. It pushed me to train harder and to improve my technique, so it wasn’t all bad.
4. You completely dominated the match, unlike your win over her at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. What did you do in this match that was so different from what you did in the others?
Montgomery: I was more selective about the things that I wanted to do in the match. I had a plan going into this match, and it really helped me in the long run.
5. Does her mix of youth and talent make you hesitant at all, or is it a motivating factor in your matches?
Montgomery: Definitely a motivating factor. I sort of feel like it’s a reverse role. It was the same way for me. I was a young kid coming up wrestling women like Kristie Marano and others. Now, she is the one chasing after me. It keeps it fun.
6. You made the move up in weight last year right before the World Team Trials. Have you adjusted to the higher weight class completely by now?
Montgomery: I think so. When I made the initial jump, I learned that I had to change my style a bit. I think I am much more prepared this year than I was last year for the Trials.
7. Last year you did not place at the World Championships after many had predicted you to at least win a medal. Were you still getting used to the higher weight at that point?
Montgomery: I guess I was. I didn’t feel the way I normally do going into a tournament. I was kind of sluggish. When my time came up, I didn’t feel as well in my warm-ups.
8. What adjustments have you made to the way you wrestle in the past year?
Montgomery: Before, I was strictly offensive. Now, I wait to see what my opponent is doing. I scout a lot now. I used to just feel my way through matches. Now I think a lot more on the mat.
9. A lot of women are beginning to come out to Colorado Springs and train while getting their education at one of the local colleges. Has that possibility ever crossed your mind?
Montgomery: Not at all. My first priority is to finish college and get my degree. They Olympics is something nice to think about, but it’s not set in stone. I can’t jeopardize my future for the Olympics.
10. Is there a wrestler, either in the U.S. or internationally, that you have tried to emulate yourself after?
Montgomery: No. I just take who I am one step at a time and improve on a daily basis.
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2003 Women’s World Team Trials preview at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
6/19/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
The USA is very strong at the highest weight class in women’s wrestling. The
field is led by three-time U.S. Nationals champion Toccara Montgomery of
Cumberland College, who was the Outstanding Wrestler at the 2001 and 2002 U.S.
Nationals event. She placed 10th at the World meet in 2002, her first year at
the highest weight division. A year earlier, down in weight at 149.5 pounds,
Montgomery was second at the World Championships. Montgomery was named FILA
Women’s Wrestler of the Year in 2002 after a strong performance at the World meet.
Montgomery quickly emerged on the international wrestling scene; her biggest
challenge now is holding off her U.S. opponents and beefing up to match the size and power of others in this division. Montgomery can be fearless, making big throws against opponents at the most opportune times.
Montgomery has developed a sudden rivalry with high school star Samantha Lang
of the Sunkist Kids, who became Senior-eligible this year. Lang has beaten
Montgomery two times out of their four matches since January, but Montgomery
scored a technical fall win at the U.S. Nationals. Lang has swept all the
available U.S. age-group honors within the United States, including being the
first girl to win a USA Wrestling Kids National title in folkstyle. Among Lang’s victims this year was six-time World champion Christine Nordhagen of Canada, who Lang defeated at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Lang has size and strength and some very strong takedown skills. She has an opportunity to make a major impact on U.S. women’s wrestling if she continues to improve.
Placing third at the U.S. Nationals was three-time U.S. Nationals champion
Iris Smith of the U.S. Army. A member of the Army World Class Athlete program,
Smith is expected to be in the hunt for the title again. Smith competed in the
2000 World Championships, and boasts a Pan American Championships title. Smith
has had trouble with Montgomery since she moved up to this division last year
at the World Team Trials. For Smith to reclaim this division, she will need
to make some changes in her preparation and approach. A veteran with ability,
Smith can not be overlooked.
A major contender who did not wrestle in Las Vegas was Satrinina Vernon of
the Gator WC, who was No. 3 on the Women’s Team USA last season. Vernon claimed
a University Nationals title this year, and has been successful on the Senior
level since high school. When she is healthy, Vernon has championship
abilities. She gave Montgomery a very tough match in last year’s World Team
Trials Challenge Tournament.
Elena Mena of Neosho County CC captured fourth at the U.S. Nationals, and has
a tremendous amount of experience on the Senior level, as well as many
age-group honors. Mena has sometimes wrestled down at 67 kg, and has a better
chance of success at the lower weight. College wrestler Donell Bradley of Missouri Valley College was fifth at the U.S. Nationals, and also has a number of years of high-level freestyle achievements. Taking sixth in Las Vegas and earning a spot in the Challenge Tournament was newcomer Brianne Bazzini of the
Peninsula Grapplers.
Regional champions who could compete in Indianapolis are Ashley Sword of the
New York AC and Jimi-Dawn Hornbuckle. A true veteran, Hornbuckle is a former
U.S. Nationals champion. Both Sword and Hornbuckle are expected to drop in
weight,and most probably won’t be in this division. Also eligible to compete is
1999 World Champion Sandra Bacher-Fakaosi of the Dave Schultz WC, who has not
wrestled in two seasons. Bacher made three U.S. Olympic teams in judo, and
talked about wanting to make another in wrestling. Jenna Pavlik of Delaware,
fifth in the 2001 World Championships, could also attend if she chose, but also has not been on the mats in over a year and a half. We may have seen the last of Bacher-Fakaosi and Pavlik, who will have a difficult time catching up with the talents in this division.
Toccara Montgomery is looking to erase last year’s World Championships
results, where she was pinned in her first match and placed 10th. She is used to winning medals at every event she enters, and has had extra motivation to return to glory this season. Her top rival this season has been high school sensation Samantha Lang, who is already competing on a World-class level at the age of 17. Lang’s major hurdles in the Challenge Tournament could be veterans Iris Smith and Satrinina Vernon. Smith wants another shot at Lang, based upon their battle in the U.S. Nationals this year. If the finals in this division is
another Montgomery vs. Lang showdown, expect some fireworks. It will be
interesting to see if Montgomery’s technical fall win in Las Vegas will be followed by another dominant performance, or if Lang can make the adjustments to win again against Montgomery.
2003 U.S. Women’s Nationals results at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
1st - Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College) tech fall
Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids), 10-0 at 6:00
3rd - Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) tech. fall Elena Mena
(St. Paul, Minn./Neosho), 10-0
5th - Donnell Bradley (Aiea, Hawaii/Missouri Valley) by fall over Brianne
Bazzini (San Carlos, Calif./Penn Grapplers), 1:32
2003 Women’s World Team Trials qualifiers at 72 kg (158.5 lbs.)
National champion - Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College)
National placerwinners -2. Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids); 3.
Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army); 4. Elena Mena (St. Paul,
Minn./Neosho County); 5. Donnell Bradley (Aiea, Hawaii/Missouri Valley); 6.
Brianne Bazzini (San Carlos, Calif./Penn Grapplers)
Team USA member - Satrinina Vernon (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC); Past
World team member - Jenna Pavlik (Lewes, Del./unattached), Sandra Bacher
Fakaosi (San Jose, Calif./Dave Schultz WC); Regional champions - Ashley Sword
(West Palm Beach, Fla. (New York AC); Jimi-Dawn Hornbuckle (State College,
Pa./unattached)
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World Team Trials women's freestyle seeds
6/19/2003
USA Wrestling/
48 kg (105.5 lbs.)
National champion - Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC)
Challenge Tournament Seeds
1. Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC)
2. Mary Kelly (Mahomet, Ill./Dave Schultz WC)
3. Katrina Betts (Milan, Mich./Wolverine WC)
4. Julie Gonzalez (Vallejo, Calif./Dave Schultz WC)
5. Hana Askren (Los Angeles, Calif./Santa Monica WC)
6. Gina Heinzelmann (Maplewood, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
51 kg (112 lbs.)
National champion - Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Challenge Tournament Seeds
1. Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
2. Danielle Hobeika (Princeton, N.J./Dave Schultz WC)
3. Katie Kunimoto (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC)
4. Debbi Sakai (Honolulu, Hawaii/Wahine WC)
5. Cheryl Wong (Boston, Mass./Dave Schultz WC)
6. Sarah Bergman (Otsego, Minn./MPLS)
55 kg (121 lbs.)
National champion - Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC)
Challenge Tournament Seeds
1. Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army)
2. Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
3. Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
59 kg (130 lbs.)
National runner-up - Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Challenge Tournament Seeds
1. Grace Magnussen (Walnut Creek, Calif./Dave Schultz WC)
2. Lindsay Owens (Ripon, Calif./Menlo)
3. Othella Lucas (San Diego, Calif./San Diego Hot Beaches)
4. Kiersten Hyatt (Carmichael, Calif./Missouri Valley)
5. Sharon Jacobson (El Cajon, Calif./Minnesota Storm)
6. Shelly Ruberg (Ueras, Ohio/Cumberland College)
Note: National Champion Sally Roberts moved up to 63 kg, and Tomeo moves into No. 1 position.
63 kg (138.5 lbs.)
National champion - Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Challenge Tournament Seeds
1. Kristie Marano (Albany, N.Y./ATWA)
2. Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC)
3. Lauren Lamb (Farmington, N.Y./Michigan WC)
4. Alaina Berube (Cornell, Mich./Cumberland College)
5. Brandy Rosenbrock (St. Claire Shores, Mich./Michigan WC)
6. Brooke Bogren (Carbondale, Kan. /Cumberland College)
7. Ashley Sword (West Palm Beach, Fla. (New York AC)
67 kg (147.5 lbs.)
National champion - Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Challenge Tournament Seeds
1. Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
2. Stephany Lee (Honolulu, Hawaii/Rainbow Wahine WC)
3. Tori Adams (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC)
4. Heather Martin (Wellington, Ohio/Keystone WC)
5. Cindy Herceg (Los Angeles, Calif./Santa Monica Bay WC)
6. Mollie Keith (Aurelia, Iowa/Missouri Valley)
7. Jimi-Dawn Hornbuckle (State College, Pa./unattached)
72 kg (158.5 lbs.)
National champion - Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College)
Challenge Tournament Seeds
1, Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids)
2. Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army)
3. Brianne Bazzini (San Carlos, Calif./Penn Grapplers)