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Takedown of convention
High schools: Western Tech's Jade Hendricks, 15, makes a compelling case that she is not simply a girl wrestling but a wrestler wrestling.

By Lem Satterfield
Sun Staff
Originally published January 14, 2004

Teammates nicknamed her "Pinky" - the color she crochets into delicate blankets. But on the mat, very little is soft about Western Tech's Jade Hendricks.

The sophomore has had her hand raised in victory six times and has been pinned only once in five losses. Three coaches have forfeited bouts rather than risk their athletes' losing to Hendricks, a defensive wrestler whose balance helps her control male opponents.

Her coach once watched Hendricks pin someone, return to the bench and begin crocheting.

"One second, she's out there beating up guys, the next she's back in her own personal world knitting - or is it crocheting? She tells me there's a difference," said Western Tech coach Ishmael Smith. "But in practice, she's the hardest worker in the room, doing two to three hundred pushups a practice ... like everyone else.

"She's a legitimate wrestler, not just a girl wrestling. She's a wrestler wrestling."

Hendricks is among an estimated 80 or more Maryland public school girls who are participating in varsity or JV programs, according to David Case, director of girls wrestling for the Maryland State Wrestling Association. In the Baltimore area, schools that have had girls wrestle varsity matches include Patapsco and C. Milton Wright.

While public school systems in Texas, Michigan and Hawaii have wrestling programs for girls only, Maryland does not.

Overall, the National Federation of State High School Associations counts 3,769 girls competing as high school wrestlers - up from 94 in 1992.

Hendricks' habit of shedding as much as three pounds in the days before a match often gives her an edge in size and strength over male opponents in the lowest weight class, 103 pounds.

"As boys get older and stronger, I don't know if I'd be as successful against them, but I think I'll have a good chance staying at 103," said Hendricks, 15, who is 4 feet 11.

A three-sport athlete, she made the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams as a freshman and was "clearly the most athletic player" on the JV basketball team, according to coach Christian Miller. "But she wanted a more physical sport, and she made it clear from the beginning she would wrestle the next year," Miller said.

Beyond sports, Hendricks is an A student and belongs to the school-sponsored "Linus Club," which makes blankets for hospitalized children - the motivation for her crocheting.

And though she has had to overcome the death of her mother and a strained relationship with her father, Hendricks keeps "a positive attitude," said Laura Stumpfoll, the Linus Club instructor and her former teacher.

Born in Baltimore, Hendricks moved at 11 to West Virginia with her mother, Lori Hendricks. Jade was a cheerleader, played basketball and was a tailback on a recreation league football team until she gave it up as not challenging enough. "I could run faster than everyone," she explained.

Hendricks' life changed drastically in October 2001, when her mother died of heart failure. "It was really hard, something we had a hard time getting over. But you have to move on," she said.

Hendricks and her older sister, Cara Palmerino, returned to the Baltimore area to live with their aunt, Cynthia Austin.

"There was nothing out there she couldn't do," Austin said of Jade's childhood exploits, including riding a mini-bike at 5. Austin's nieces live with her and her husband, Mike, and the Austins' 6-year-old son in Gwynn Oak.

Jade's aunt didn't welcome the idea of her niece wrestling.

"I never told her no, but I just feel that there's areas that are just for men and not always for women to get into," Austin said. "[But] at this age, and in her weight class, there's not much of a difference in a boy and a girl as there will be later on."

Why does Hendricks wrestle? "Because it's challenging and fun," she said. "I had beaten guys before, growing up - messing around, grabbing legs and roughhousing.

"My aunt wouldn't let me box because she said it would mess up my face," said Hendricks. "And I couldn't find any girls wrestling teams in Maryland."

So she joined the boys.

"When she came to sign-ups, I thought she wanted to be the team manager," Smith said. "But she said, 'I'm here to wrestle.' "

During meets, she puts her hair in a bun under a stocking cap that bobs as she wrestles.

In a recent 6-5 victory over an opponent who weighed in at 99 pounds, she countered a takedown attempt and employed her favorite move - the front-headlock - before spinning behind for the first of three two-point takedowns.

"She's tough as nails," Towson coach Robert Cephas said of Hendricks. "It looks like she has all of the basics down."

Former college wrestler Art Lieberman was equally impressed by Hendricks.

"Pretty decent stance on her feet, pretty good balance, adequate strength - she seems capable of holding her own in this weight class," said Lieberman, whose son, Dan, wrestles for Towson.

"I never saw a girl win before," said his daughter, Shaina, a Towson senior. "I don't usually see girls wrestle, and when I have, they've been pretty bad."

Hendricks is one of the exceptions.

Two predecessors in Maryland became known as girls who wrestled but neither had a winning record. Competing from 119 to 130 pounds over two varsity seasons until graduating in 1998, Oakland Mills' Dena Glisan scored a pin and a technical fall over opponents and later won the inaugural girls U.S. high school national title. North Hagerstown's Stacy Myers wrestled for one varsity season, placing third at 125 pounds in Washington County's five-school tournament in 1997.

Girls in Ohio and Michigan have reached their high school state tournaments, but none has done it in Maryland. Smith said he thinks Hendricks has a chance to become the first state qualifier before she graduates.

"She's beating guys by points and even pinning them, and nobody expects that out of a girl," said 125-pound teammate Chris Williams. "This is my third year wrestling, and her first, but she gets takedowns on me. I'm ahead of her, but not by much."

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Tamaqua's Jessica Baran is first female medalist at SIAL Tourney

By JOE PLASKO 1/12/04

ORWIGSBURG - As a girl in the male-dominated sport of scholastic wrestling, Jessica Baran faces tough odds each time she steps onto the mat.

The Tamaqua junior's hard work and perserverance were rewarded when she reached a milestone at the Schuylkill League Championships at Blue Mountain High School.

By placing sixth at 103 pounds, Baran is believed to be the first female wrestler to medal at the Schuylkill Tournament.

To do so, Baran also recorded her first two varsity non-forfeit wins, defeating Mount Carmel's Kyle Shaver and Jim Thorpe's Karl Moll.

Baran is one of several female wrestlers in the TIMES NEWS area this season. Jim Thorpe has used Caitlyn Kirkpatrick, who wrestled at 112 at leagues and was 0-2, and Chelsey Rehrig at 130, while Lehighton has used Heather Spain at 103.

A good athlete, Baran has had success wrestling against other girls in female-only competition. She was named Outstanding Wrestler at last year's U.S. Girls Wrestling Association (USGWA) State Tournament at McCaskey High School in Lancaster, where she won the title at 107 pounds. She has also competed in USGWA national meets.

Wrestling against guys is another story, however, since Baran must deal with opponents who own a big advantage in strength.

"In junior high, I won some (against boys), but this is a lot different and harder," said Baran. "I feel anxious out there. It feels real good to get a medal here."

The conditions were right for Baran to have a shot at a medal at leagues. She dropped down from 112 pounds because she felt she could compete in the 103 weight class, which turned out to be a good decision.

"Once I started wrestling this season, week after week I would look at the 103 pounders and I felt I had a better chance at 103," she related. "I made the decision and had to get recertified, then I cut the weight."

Baran (4-13), who also runs cross country and track at Tamaqua, finished 2-3 for the tourney. Two of her losses were against Leon Boczkowski of North Schuylkill, who beat her 19-8 in the quarterfinals and scored a 19-4 tech fall in the fifth place bout.

"The thing I'm most impressed with is that she's actually starting to wrestle now," said Tamaqua coach Jim McCabe, who also coached another fine female grappler, Beth Bolish, as an assistant at Mahanoy Area. "She's starting to open up and try different things that might enable her to win, and that's what we want her to do.

"She definitely has the mental toughness. Not too many kids want to suck weight, and she dropped down to 103, despite being thin the way it is. She's already tough on top, and her work ethic is getting better on the bottom. She needs to work on her feet more and take more shots, but she's getting there.

"To get a medal here is a very big accomplishment for Jess," praised McCabe.

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Missouri Valley wins Lady Oaks Wrestling Open, with Menlo’s Fulp-Allen named Outstanding Wrestler

1/12/2004
Nicolas Enriquez/Menlo College

ATHERTON, CA -1/10/04- Missouri Valley College, led by five individual champions, won the team title at Menlo College Lady Oaks Wrestling Open, Saturday, Jan. 10.

Winning golds for the Vikings were Debbie Sakai (112 lbs.), Leigh Jaynes (130 lbs.), Kierstin Hyatt (138.75), Kelly Branham (147.5) and Stephany Lee (HWT).

A pair of wrestlers from host Menlo, Caylene Valdez and Sara Fulp-Allen, took first place in their respected weight classes at today's

Fulp-Allen, who was named the Open's Most Outstanding Wrestler, had a second round technical fall over Amantha Hordagoda while Valdez had two pins over Lassen College's Sabrina Valdez and Sandy Do of Missouri Valley in the second and third rounds, respectively.

Lassen Junior C ollege placed third in the standings. Pacific University was scheduled to compete, but was unable to attend due to severe winter weather that restricted travel.

RESULTS

Team Scoring
Team Scores
1. Missouri Valley College, 28
2. Menlo College, 22
3. Lassen Junior College, 10

Outstanding Wrestler
Sara Fulp-Allen, Menlo College

Results By Weight
48 kilos
1. Sara Fulp-Allen, Menlo College
2. Julie Gonzalez, Dave Schultz Wrestling Club
3. Amantha Hordagoda, Dave Schultz Wrestling Club

52 kilos
1. Debbie Sakai, Missouri Valley College
2. Shiela Lerit, Menlo College
3. Maika Watanabe, Missouri Valley College

55 kilos
1. Caylene Valdez, Menlo College
2. Theresa Gordon-Dick, Unattached
3. Sandy Do, Missouri Valley College

59 kilos
1. Leigh Jaynes, Missouri Valley College
2. Lindsey Owens, Unattached
3. Brooke Bogren, Missouri Valley College

63 kilos
1. Kiestin Hyatt, Missouri Valley College
2. Julie Duarte, Missouri Valley College
3. Megan Cox, Lassen Junior College

67 kilos
1. Kelly Branham, Missouri Valley College
2. Kuu Johnson, Lassen Junior College
3. Andre Hale, Lassen Junior College

HWT
1. Stephany Lee, Missouri Valley College
2. Misty Stalling, Menlo College
3. Brianna Bazzini, Unattached

Results By Weight Class
48 kilos
Round 1
Julie Gonzalez (DSWC) pin Damaris Barrios (Lassen), 0:45
Sara Fulp-Allen (MC) tech. fall Amantha Hordagoda (DSWC), 10-0

Round 2
Julie Gonzalez (DSWC) dec. Laura Felix (CSUB), 5-4
Amantha Hordagoda (DSWC) pin Damaris Barrios (LC), 5:27

Round 3
Sara Fulp-Allen (MC) dec. Laura Felix (CSUB), 6-3
Julie Gonzales (DSWC) dec. Amantha Hordagoda (DSWC), 3-1

Round 4
Laura Felix (CSUB) dec. Amantha Hordagoda (DSWC), 6-1
Sara Fulp-Allen (MC) dec. Julie Gonzalez (DSWC), 9-1

51 kilos

Round 1
Shiela Lerit (MC) dec. Maika Watanabe (MV), 13-9
Debbie Sakai (MC) inj. Default Melissa Gutierrez (MC), 2:39

Round 2
Shiela Lerit (MC) tech fall Opelia Pickard (MV), 4:45
Debbi Sakai (MV) tech fall Maika Watanabe (MV), 15-6

Round Robin 2
Debbi Sakai (MV) pin Opelia Pickard (MV), 1:45
Maika Watanabe (MV) pin Opeila Pickard (MV), 4:20

Round 3
Debbie Sakai (MV) dec. Sheila Lerit (MC), 9-2

55 kilos
Round 1
Sandy Do (MV) dec. Sabrina Valdez (LC), 3-0
Caylene Valdez (MC) dec. Theresa Gordon-Dick (UN), 8-1

Round 2
Caylene Valdez (MC) pin Sabrina Valdez (LC), 1:55
Theresa Gordon-Dick (UN) pin Sandy Do (MV), 3:38

Round 3
Caylene Valdez (MC) pin Sandy Do (MV), 1:53
Theresa Gordon-Dick (UN) dec. Sabrina Valdez (LC), 5-3

59 kilos
Round 1
Leight Jeynes (UN) dec. Lindsey Owens (UN), 9-3

Round 2
Leigh Jaynes (MV) dec. Brooke Bogren (MV), 4-3

Round 3
Lindsey Owens (UN) dec. Brooke Bogren (MV), 5-1

63 kilos
Round 1
Kierstin Hyatt (MV) pin Megan Cox (LC), 1:57
Julie Duarte (MV) pin Felicia Quevedo (MC), 1:25

Round 2
Kierstin Hyatt (MV) pin Julie Duarte (MV), 2:36
Megan Cox (LC) tech fall Felicia Quevedo (MC), 11-0

Round 3
Julie Duarte (MV) dec. Megan Cox (LC), 9-2
Kiestin Hyatt (MV) pin Felicia Quevedo (MV), 1:40

67 kilos
Kelly Branham (MV) pin Kuu Johnson (LC), 2:29
Andre Hale (LC) tech fall Becky Tavera (MC) 11-0, 3:16

Round 2
Kelly Branham (MV) pin Becky Tavera (MC), 2:58
Kuu Johnson (LC) pin Andre Hale (LC), 3:32

Round 3
Kelly Branham (MV) pin Andre Hale (LC), 1:15
Kuu Johnson (LC) pin Becky Tavera (MC), 2:40

HWT
Round 1
Misty Stalling (MC) pin Selina Perez (MV), 3:15
Stephany Lee (MV) tech fall Brianna Bazzini (UN), 3:31

Round 2
Stephany Lee (MV) tech fall Selina Perez (MV), 2:25
Misty Stalling (MC) dec. Brianna Bazzini (UN), 8-2

Round 3
Brianna Bazzini (UN) inj. default Selina Perez (MV)
Stephany Lee (MV) pin Misty Stalling (MC), 0:25
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2004 U.S. Women's Freestyle Winter Tour to kick off with the Olympic Testing Event in Athens, Greece, Jan. 23-25

12/13/2004
John Fuller/USA Wrestling

The 2004 U.S. Women's Freestyle Winter Tour will begin on Jan. 23-25 with the Olympic Testing Event in Athens, Greece and close out with the Klippan Ladies Open in Klippan, Sweden on March 14.

All seven medalists from the 2003 Women's World Championships will compete on at least one tour event.

Five of those seven will compete at the first Winter Tour event, the Olympic Testing Event in Athens, Greece, Jan. 23-25. This event will be held in order to help test the readiness of the city of Athens as well as the wrestling venue for the 2004 Olympic Games.

The U.S. team will be led by two-time World silver medalists Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Also competing in the Olympic Testing Event will be 2003 World silver medalist Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) and 2003 World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC). Both are expected to wrestle at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.

The team will be coached by USA Wrestling National Women's Coach Terry Steiner (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and former Stanford wrestler Levi Weikel-Magden (Charlottesville, Va.)

Miranda will also lead the U.S. team at the Kiev Grand Prix in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 20-22.

She will be joined by 2001 World silver medalist and seven-time U.S. Nationals champion Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs.

Also competing at the Kiev Grand Prix will be 2002-03 U.S. National Team member Katie Kunimoto (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. and two-time U.S. National Team member Marcie VanDusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids).

Troy Steiner (Madison, Wis.) and USA Wrestling Women's Resident Coach Tom Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will coach the team.

Last year at the Kiev Grand Prix, Miranda won a gold medal at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Murata captured a bronze medal at 55 kg/121 lbs.

As many as 15 women are slated to compete at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial International in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Feb. 27-29.

Miranda, George, Murata, VanDusen, McMann and Roberts are expected to be joined by 2003 World Champion and seven-time World medalist Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.

Also competing are 2003 World silver medalist Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and three-time U.S. Nationals champion and 2000 U.S. World Team member Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Two high school stars will also compete at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial International: Na'Tasha Umemoto (Portland, Ore./Cobra WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Both have been stars on the Junior level the past two years, and Lang established herself as a strong Senior-level competitor with a second-place showing at the 2003 U.S. Nationals and U.S. World Team Trials.

Rounding out the U.S. roster will be three-time U.S. Nationals runner-up Clariss Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., two-time U.S. National Team member and 2000 Junior World silver medalist Mary Kelly (Mahomet, Ill./New York AC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and 2002-03 U.S. National Team member Tori Adams (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.

The team will be coached by Joe Corso (Des Moines, Iowa), who has served as a coach for three U.S. Women's World Teams, and Terry Steiner.

At the 2003 Ivan Yarygin Memorial International, Wong won a silver medal at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. and Smith won a bronze medal at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

The final leg of the 2004 U.S. Women's Winter Tour will be the Klippan Ladies Open in Klippan, Sweden, March 12-14.

Miranda, Wong, O'Donnell and Marano will be joined at this event by 2003 U.S. Nationals champion and two-time U.S. World Team Trials champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.

Also on the U.S. roster for the Klippan Ladies Open are three-time U.S. National Team member Danielle Hobeika (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and 2003 U.S. World Team Trials runner-up Grace Magnussen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs.

The U.S. squad will be coached by 2002 U.S. Women's World Team head coach Chris Horpel (Stanford, Calif.) and Limestone College head coach Ben Stehura (Gaffney, S.C.).

Last year, the United States placed first ahead of Germany and Japan at the Klippan Ladies Open. The U.S. team was led by gold medalists Lauren Lamb at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Sara McMann at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Downing won a silver medal at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. and Miranda captured a bronze medal at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.

Some athletes attending the 2004 U.S. Women's Freestyle Winter Tour are financially supported by their sponsoring club team.

Olympic Testing Event
Athens, Greece
Jan. 23-25, 2004
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (Cumberland College)
Coach: Terry Steiner, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Levi Weikel-Magden, Charlottesville, Va.

Kiev Grand Prix
Kiev, Ukraine
Feb. 20-22, 2004
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie VanDusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Coach:Troy Steiner, Madison, Wis., and Tom Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Ivan Yarygin Memorial International
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Feb. 27-29, 2004
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (New York AC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tela O'Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Na'Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Cobra WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie VanDusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Samantha Lang, Tualatin, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Coach: Joe Corso, Des Moines, Iowa, and Terry Steiner, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Klippan Ladies Open
Klippan, Sweden
March 12-14
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Danielle Hobeika, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tela O'Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Grace Magnussen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Coach: Chris Horpel, Stanford, Calif., and Ben Stehura, Gaffney, S.C.