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Cumberland’s Montgomery Sweeps Competition At U.S Nationals

Article Provided by Cathy Link 4/15/04

The Cumberland College women’s wrestling team competed in the U.S. National Tournament last week held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Missouri Valley, Team Hawaii, Valhalla, Diamond Ranch, Santa Monica and other teams also competed with Cumberland.

Only Olympic hopeful Toccara Montgomery was able to climb to first place in her division. After a first round bye Montgomery defeated Elena Mena of West Side 11-0 in 1:42. In the semifinals Montgomery won by fall over Katie Downing. In the final round Montgomery showed her finesse as she defeated rival Missouri Valley’s Stephanie Lee by decision of 3-1.

Other Patriot ladies who placed in the National competition were: Suekoilya Shelly (59kg) third, Alaina Berube (63kg) fourth, Iris Mucha (55kg) seventh, Jamie Alvesterffer (67kg) fifth, and Sheri Hilliard (67kg) sixth.

Because of their placement in the U.S. National Tournament, Cumberland had four members of their team to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials to be held in May in Indianapolis, Indiana. Those qualifying were Toccara Montgomery, Suekoilya Shelly, Alaina Berube, and Iris Mucha. This will be the first time that women’s wrestling will be competing in the Olympic Games.

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Two-time world champ next up for Deer Valley grad

Posted on Thu, Apr. 15, 2004

ANN TATKO: OLYMPICS

• Fresh off her wrestling title at the U.S. national championships, Ripley readies for Olympic Trials

WINNING AT NATIONALS was easy compared with what comes next for Malinda Ripley.

Ripley, a Deer Valley High School graduate, defended her 51-kilogram women's wrestling title this past weekend at the U.S. national championships in Las Vegas.

But having competed in a non-Olympic weight class, Ripley must shed 6.75 pounds to compete down at 48 kg at next month's Olympic Trials. There, she will face two-time world championship silver medalist Patricia Miranda, a Stanford grad.

Ripley already had qualified for the Olympic Trials at 55 kg. She could have added weight to challenge for that Olympic spot, but it would have been no easier. Another two-time runner-up at worlds, Tina George, is the favorite at that weight class.

"I felt going down to 48 kg for the trials suited my style of wrestling better," Ripley said. "I'm confident in my abilities to compete at this level, but now I just need to get down to that weight."

Ripley defeated Debbie Sakai with an 11-0 technical fall in two minutes, 24 seconds at the national championships. The win advanced her to compete at the Olympic Trials, from May 21 to 23 in Indianapolis, in the weight class of her choice.

Although Ripley faces a considerable challenge in Miranda, she believes she has a realistic shot at winning the Olympic berth.

"Anyone can be upset; all it takes is one perfect match," Ripley said. "Nothing is a given, which is why everyone has to compete at the trials in the first place."

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