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Na’Tasha Umemoto (top) works on her technique with teammate Brian Singhai during a wrestling practice Jan. 13 at David Douglas High. Umemoto, one of the state’s top female wrestlers for several years, joined the boys team as a freshman because the Oregon School Activities Association doesn’t sanction girls wrestling.
Since then: Umemoto finished third in the Mount Hood Conference district meet and qualified for the state tournament, where she lost both of her matches.
Singhai, motivated by Umemoto in practice, won the district title at 119 pounds and upset the top-seeded wrestler in the state tournament before losing in the quarterfinals.
Both David Douglas wrestlers return this year for their senior seasons.
About the photo: “An exciting development in the sports world was the addition of women’s wrestling to the Olympic Games in 2004,” L.E. Baskow says. “Our area had several women trying to reach such heights. I was inspired by their abilities and desire to be the best in their field. Not only did they have to excel in their class, they also had to break stereotypes and traditions of the long-standing sport.”
A lot to wrestle with: Lake Highlands senior has brother in Iraq
01:23 AM CST on Sunday, December 26, 2004
By SCOTT McDONALD / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
Lake Highlands senior Katie Klammer has wrestled more than just opponents during her high school career. She has wrestled with her shadow and a district policy that wouldn't allow her to train against boys.
Now, while aiming for her fourth consecutive berth in the state wrestling meet, Klammer tussles with the fact that her brother, Karl, is with the Marines in Fallujah, Iraq.
"I'd say he's probably been the biggest influence in my life, so, yes, I do worry about him over in Iraq," Katie said. "I talk to him every 10 days when he's able to call so I know he's all right."
It was Karl, a 20-year-old bulk fuel specialist, who got his sister into wrestling.
When Karl was a junior wrestler at Lake Highlands, a Wildcat female wrestler, Jessica Haney, asked the otherwise all boys team if any of them had a sister with whom she could train.
Karl raised his hand and said his little sister probably could.
From that point, Katie Klammer has become one of the most successful wrestlers in Lake Highlands history – regardless of gender. She has her name on the wall in the wrestling room as a three-time participant in the state meet.
She won regionals her first three years. Klammer placed fourth in the 215-pound division at state during her freshman year. She finished third in the 185-pound division each of the last two seasons. And like professional wrestlers on television, she has a nickname. The announcer at the state meet calls her "Klammer the Hammer."
The girls who placed first and second at state last season – Amarillo Palo Duro's Theresa Fennell and L.D. Bell's Jessica Surratt – graduated, leaving Klammer as one of the favorites to win this season.
"We're expecting good things from Katie this year and hoping she can get that state title," Lake Highlands coach Pete Grieder said.
Grieder said Klammer has become more physical the last two seasons, mainly because of her training partners. During Klammer's freshman and sophomore seasons, because of a district policy that wouldn't allow her to train against boys, Klammer would shadow wrestle. During her junior season, the rule was relaxed so she could get better training.
"It's really made her a more physical wrestler," said Grieder, who added that Klammer usually wrestles against the top JV boys and some varsity boys in practice. "But if we have other girls who try out, then she has to wrestle them."
Klammerhas dropped to 176 pounds this season. She's quicker and has the same strength she had when she was bigger. Grieder and Klammer have thought about dropping more weight to compete in the 165-pound division.
"We considered it, but then you run into the problem of not only facing girls who are probably quicker, but you have to maintain weight," Grieder said.
Klammer, who plans to attend Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., said she'll stay in the 185-pound class to go for the state title.
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// John Fuller // December 10, 2004
The 2005 U.S. Women's Freestyle Winter Tours will begin on Jan. 29 with the Ivan Yarygin Memorial International in Krasnoyarsk, Russia and close out with the Medved International in Minsk, Belarus on March 26.
Four World medalists and one Olympian will highlight the U.S. rosters, which will compete in a total of five tournaments throughout the winter.
Three of those medalists will compete at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial International.
Leading the U.S. team will be 2001 World silver medalist Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., two-time World silver medalist (2002-03) Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., 2004 Olympian Tela O’Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and 2003 World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs.
Also competing for the U.S. at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial International will be two-time U.S. Nationals runner-up (2002-03) Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and 2004 U.S. Nationals runner-up Stephany Lee (Honolulu, Hawaii/Missouri Valley) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
At last year’s Ivan Yarygin Memorial International, O’Donnell won a gold medal at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Iris Smith won a gold medal at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. for the U.S. team.
The U.S. will then send a team to the Gilbert Schaub Open in Tourcoing, France on February 20.
That squad will be led by two-time U.S. Nationals runner-up (2003-04) Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. She will be joined by 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Na’Tasha Umemoto (Portland, Ore./Sunkist Kids), who will compete at 59 kg/130 lbs.
Other past U.S. Nationals medalists competing in the Gilbert Schaub Open include Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) and Sara Fulp-Allen (El Granada, Calif./Menlo College) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Tori Adams (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Chun is a four-time U.S. Nationals runner-up (1999-2000, 2003-04) and placed second at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Lang placed second at the 2003 U.S. Nationals.
Fulp-Allen placed third and Adams placed sixth at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and both have placed at the U.S. Nationals as well.
Stefanie Shaw (Waterford, Conn./New England Elite) will compete at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Shaw placed fourth at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
The U.S. will then travel to the Klippan Ladies Open in Klippan, Sweden on March 6.
Murata, George, Lyle will all compete at this tournament. They will be joined by 2003 U.S. Nationals champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. and three-time U.S. Nationals runner-up and 2001 U.S. World Team member Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 59 kg/130 lbs.
2004 Junior Nationals champion Caitlyn Chase (Hanover Park, Ill./Gator WC) will compete at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Rounding out the U.S. squad at the Klippan Ladies Open is Tina Pihl (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), a placewinner at the Canadian Olympic Team Trials in 2004.
Last year at the Klippan Ladies Open, the U.S. placed third as a team behind a gold medal from Patricia Miranda at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., a silver medal by Kristie Marano at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and bronze medals by Jenny Wong at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Katie Downing at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Murata, Ripley, George, Roberts, Shaw and Downing will lead the U.S. team at the Trophe Milone in Naples, Italy on March 13.
This tournament will be attended by many of the residents of the new U.S. Olympic Education Center (USOEC) program for women’s wrestling, including two-time U.S. National Team member (2002-04) Mary Kelly (Mahomet, Ill./New York AC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.
2004 U.S. Nationals champion Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./Rolling Thunder) will compete at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.
Also competing from the USOEC program will be Amy Borgnini (Terre Haute, Ind./USOEC) and Danyelle Hedin (Honolulu, Hawaii/USOEC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Teri Lopez (Katy, Texas/USOEC) and Linse Meadows (Katy, Texas/USOEC) at 59 kg/130 lbs., Ku’u’ini Johnson (Honolulu, Hawaii/USOEC) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. and Donnell Bradley (Aiea, Hawaii/USOEC) and Randi Miller (Arlington, Texas/USOEC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
The final stop of the 2005 winter tours for the U.S. women will be at the Medved International in Minsk, Belarus on March 26.
Chun, Ripley, O'Donnell, Roberts, Adams and Lyle will be joined by 2003 World bronze medalist Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Also competing for the U.S. team will be Katie Kunimoto (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Kunimoto placed seventh and Van Dusen placed fifth at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Van Dusen was also a 2004 University World champion.
TheMat.com will provide news and results from each of these events as they happen.
2005 U.S. Women’s Winter Tour Rosters
Ivan Yarygin Memorial International
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Jan. 29, 2005
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tela O’Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
Gilbert Schaub Open
Tourcoing, France
Feb. 20, 2005
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Stefanie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (New England Elite)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Samantha Lang, Tualatin, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
Klippan Ladies Open
Klippan, Sweden
March 6, 2005
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Ill. (Gator WC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Trophe Milone
Naples, Italy
March 13, 2005
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (New York AC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Danyelle Hedin, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Teri Lopez, Katy, Texas (USOEC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Linse Meadows, Katy, Texas (USOEC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Stefanie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (New England Elite)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Rolling Thunder)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Ku’u’ini Johnson, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Donnell Bradley, Aiea, Hawaii (USOEC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (USOEC)
Medved International
Minsk, Belarus
March 26, 2005
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tela O’Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
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Yoshida, Icho grab 3rd Japan titles
Ken Marantz / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter 12/24/04
Japan's Olympic girls were golden as usual, while Athens bronze medalist Kenji Inoue left the All Japan Wrestling Championships with his reputation tarnished.
Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho, gold medalists at the Athens Olympics, produced carbon copy victories as both won their third straight national titles on Thursday, the final day of the three-day tournament at Tokyo's Yoyogi No. 2 Gym.
"It's been a really great year," said Yoshida, who turned in a solid 2-0, 1-0 victory over Chikako Matsukawa in the women's 55-kilogram final, then received the prestigious Emperor's Cup as Japan's wrestler of the year.
Icho kept pace with her Olympic and Chukyo Women's University teammate by overpowering Ayako Shoda 5-0, 2-0 to retain the 63-kg crown.
Both advanced to their respective final with falls in the semifinals, Yoshida's coming in 36 seconds and Icho taking one second less. With quarterfinal round byes, both wrestled only two times.
Yoshida's victories extended her domestic winning streak to 67 matches. The 22-year-old Mie Prefecture native has never been beaten internationally, with that streak now at 79.
Yoshida and Icho both said they made adjustments in the training for the tournament in line with recently adopted rule changes by world governing body FILA.
In the biggest change, matches are now decided like the three-set system in tennis, with wrestlers having to "win" two out of the three two-minute periods. There is a tiebreaker and overtime system when the score is knotted.
For Icho, the new format looked to be a disadvantage, as she often starts slowly and gives up points early. But the 20-year-old made the adjustment.
"I thought I have to be more aggressive," Icho said. "It might make me a better wrestler."
Yoshida was concerned about a new rule that calls for a penalty point for just stepping out of bounds. That caused a potential problem for Yoshida, who speed and agility takes her all over the mat.
"I was afraid of the edge," Yoshida said. "It's the first time I ever competed feeling that way. But it was a good learning experience."
The new rules also had an affect on Inoue, whose concern about them rang true when he fell victim to the upset of the day.
Collegiate champion Takafumi Kojima scored a takedown with one second to go in extra time of the second period to defeat Inoue for the 60-kg title 1-0, 1-0.
When the second period ended scoreless, the wrestlers were put in a "clinch" position, in which, based on a coin toss, Kojima had a hold of Inoue's left leg in the start of a single-leg takedown.
Inoue broke free and, as Kojima had the advantage to start, would have gained a decisive point had the 30 seconds run out. But in the dying seconds, Kojima tripped Inoue backwards to clinch the win.
"I thought I was alright when I got away, but I became too defensive," Inoue said.
Ironically, Inoue owns an Olympic medal, but remains without a national title.
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Hamaguchi pins down 9th
Meanwhile, Athens bronze medalist Kyoko Hamaguchi extended her string of national titles to nine, winning a diminished women's 72-kg class that only had three entries.
The record of 14 consecutive titles is held by Yasutoshi Moriyama, who, from 1982 to 1995, won three in the men's 82-kg Greco-Roman class and 11 at 90 kg .
Hitomi Sakamoto, a two-time world champion who missed most of the past two years with a knee injury, joined younger sister Makiko as a national champion by beating Ninako Hattori 1-0, 3-0 in the women's 51-kg final.
Makiko Sakamoto won the 48-kg crown on Wednesday.
"I didn't think this was possible a year ago," Hitomi Sakamoto said. "Finally we could win together."
Also victorious were a pair of fifth-place finishers in Athens, with Makoto Sasamoto taking his fifth straight 60-kg Greco-Roman title and Kazuhiko Ikematsu defending his crown in the freestyle 66-kg class.
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Humble beginnings, ending for champion
Tjon rallied to win wrestling title
By J.P. HOORNSTRA, Times-Herald sports writer 12/26/04
Eunice Tjon hugs Vallejo coach Mike Minahen after winning the state wrestling title in February. Photo: J.L. Sousa/Times-Herald |
There is a wrestling club at UC Davis, but freshman Eunice Tjon hasn't been able to join. There are no girls in the club, and more importantly, no one in her weight class to grapple with.
"I'm kind of desperate," she confessed.
As a Vallejo High senior, Tjon was a surprise winner - even to herself - at the state girls wrestling championship on Feb. 27, winning the 110-pound weight class with a 5-2 decision over Jessica Medina of Diamond Ranch.
Now Tjon has slipped into the typical college life in Davis, residing in the dorms and majoring in mechanical engineering. But every now and then, someone will remember.
"Even after I won the state title, four months later, people still congratulated me - elementary school friends that I haven't seen in a while," she said. "I'd say, 'That was four months ago!' "
The feat was most remarkable because Tjon, who did not start wrestling until late in her sophomore year, was matched in the same weight class as undefeated, nationally-ranked Vintage wrestler Jessica Hsieh.
When Medina stunned Hsieh with an overtime win in the semifinals, Tjon grew nervous.
"I was intimidated in the beginning, because I'd never seen (Medina) wrestle," she said. "When I saw that she beat Jessica Hsieh, I got even more nervous."
Apaches head coach Mike Minahen reacted differently.
"Then I expected (Tjon) to win," he said. "She was just on fire, just unbelievable at that time."
Tjon's feat will look more impressive by the year, as wrestling grows in popularity among girls nationwide. At the United States Girls Wrestling Association National Tournament in Lake Orion, Michigan, on March 29, she was met by fierce competition.
Medina beat her in a rematch, 3-2, and Tjon finished seventh to earn the title of All-American, which goes to the top eight wrestlers in each weight class.
In California, girls wrestling playoffs are still not sanctioned by the California Interscholastic Federation, the state's organizing body for high school sports. But that should change soon, Minahen said.
"I think we're getting closer," he said. "Some say 10 years. I think that's pessimistic. I think it's more like four years. The numbers are growing dramatically."
Bottari Gym will host the state final again this year, which has expanded its brackets from 20 to 24 entries in each weight class.
That should make the title of state champion even tougher to attain, even though interest may not be growing as rapidly at the college level.
"I was talking to (Davis' assistant wrestling coach) Mark Muoz; he told me a couple girls were interested," Tjon said. "But they never showed up when I was there."
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Terra Nova Women's Wrestling Team starts off season well
12/22/04
The Terra Nova Lady Tiger wrestling team has been busy the last two weekends competing in the North Bay Lady's Classic at Piner High School in Santa Rosa on December 4th and the Roger Briones Women's Invitational at San Leandro High School last Saturday. Though the Terra Nova team was small in number, compared to many of the other schools, they wrestled well at each tournament.
The Lady Tigers placed third at the North Bay Lady's Classic. Ivy Bier placed first in the 132 weight class pinning 2 of her 3 opponents. Lisa Szczepaniak also won her divivion (126) pinning all 3 opponents. Holly Brewer (144) took third pinning 2 of her opponents. Jamie Marchetti (103) also placed third with one victory by a pin. Jenny Watt, Marina Piccolotti (1 pin) and Rebecca Kaplan also wrestled well for Terra Nova.
The Lady Tigers also placed third out of 53 schools at the Roger Briones Women's Invitational. Lisa Szczepaniak took first in the 126 pound division, pinning all four opponents. Ivy Bier (132) placed 2nd, pinning her first three opponents, losing a tough match in the finals. Holly Brewer (138) placed 5th, pinning 3 opponents. Rebecca Kaplan (126) placed 8th pinning her opponent in the second round. Lanie Skaggs (114) and Tiffany McMartin (114) each won by pins.
Congratulations to the Women's team and to the coaches Robert Redman and Angel Valdez.
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Female Wrestler Wasn't Refused
Wisconsin State Journal :: OPINION :: A8
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
As the mother of a wrestler from River Bluff Middle School in Stoughton, I would like to express my displeasure at how Sunday's article reflected the events of the Stoughton-Middleton meet in which both male and female wrestlers participated.
As your article correctly stated, wrestlers are rated according to skill level. Prior to the start of the meet, my son talked with Coach Jason Model, asking about a match. When asked if he minded wrestling a girl, he did not object. Model informed him that Middleton did not have anyone to match with him or the three other wrestlers due to their skill level. As a result, my son and the others sat out.
Female wrestler Kate Berry is the same weight as my son; they would have been matched if their skill ratings had been the same. Your article falsely states that my son and three teammates refused to wrestle Kate and her female counterparts. These four boys would have welcomed a match, regardless of the sex of their opponent.
I would never discourage Kate, her female teammates or any other girls to participate in a male-dominated sport. After all, the varsity kicker for the last two years on Stoughton's football team is a sophomore girl. It is females like these who blaze trails for others whether in the sports arena or in a career path. My son and the other wrestlers are not the poor sports that your article paints them.
-- Melissa Schiferl, Stoughton