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Tonya Verbeek Named 2004 Female Athlete of the Year for Ontario

2005-04-09

Tonya Verbeek, the 2004 Olympic Silver medallist and Canada's first ever Women to win an Olympic medal in Wrestling, was named the 2004 Female Athlete of the Year for Ontario.

The Award was announced and presented at the 2004 Ontario Awards Reception April 7th at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. The Ontario Sport Awards are a part of the Ontario Games Program, a community and sport development initiative managed by the Sport Alliance of Ontario through funding provided by the Government of Ontario.

In attendance to witness Tonya's victory were her parents Gerry & Cathy along with Richard DesChatelets, the Head Coach of the Brock University Wrestling Team and the Brock Wrestling Club.

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Instant recognition
Almost unknown a year ago, Tonya Verbeek is now a familiar face after winning Olympic silver medal

By BERNIE PUCHALSKI
Local Sports - Saturday, April 16, 2005 @ 01:00

A year ago, Tonya Verbeek attended city council chambers to provide moral support for 2003 St. Catharines athlete of the year Evan MacDonald.

Monday night, she will make a return trip, but this time it will be her receiving recognition as St. Catharines athlete of the year.

“It’s funny. I was thinking about it the other day and the impression I got then is that no one knew who I was,” the 27-year-old said.

That all changed last August when the Beamsville native became the first Canadian woman to capture an Olympic wrestling medal, earning a silver in the 55-kilogram division at the Athens Games.

Her achievement earned her a modicum of celebrity status in Niagara and the 2004 St. Catharines, Beamsville and Ontario athlete-of-the-year awards.

“People definitely recognize me more than ever and I still have people congratulating me if they’re seeing me for the first time. They think it’s too late, but I say no and that I appreciate their support.”

Support hasn’t been as forthcoming from other areas.

“There has definitely been some perks from coming back with a medal, but I would have liked to have seen more corporate sponsorships.”

She feels she could have been more aggressive in pursuing sponsorships and is getting more savvy in that regard, including the creation of a new website.

“She has done a good job,” coach Marty Calder said. “I’m guessing she gets tons of requests. Everybody wants you and it’s not always for a price.”

The way Calder sees it, Verbeek is in a no-win situation. She can’t say yes to every request and people are offended when she says no.

Months have past since her Olympic moment, but she still thinks about it.

“It’s hard not to. It doesn’t seem too long ago and this year has gone quickly.”

It’s a moment she longs to experience again.

“I know what I’m capable of and how hard I train, but sometimes you wonder if you will get the same feeling back.”

At present, she’s preparing for the senior nationals, starting May 13 in Renfrew. The nationals will be a starting point for a berth in her first world championships since placing fifth in 1995.

“I have to take care of the nationals and get on the team. I know I have a hard summer ahead.”

But the facts suggest she is in good shape to win the national title.

Her No. 1 challenger, Jen Ryz, has retired; the No. 2 challenger, Erica Sharpe, has dropped to a lower weight class and Verbeek had little difficulty with the woman who is now ranked second in Canada, Britanee Laverdure.

“We don’t want to get overconfident because there’s a huge danger in that,” Calder said.

Verbeek plans to steer clear of danger.

“I know my competition. They’re a lot younger, but I can’t take anyone lightly.”

She is also dealing with a lack of recent matches, having wrestled in only two meets since the Olympics.

“I’m a little apprehensive, but I’m a composed person and I have the experience behind me. I have to be the competitor I’ve proven myself to be and not play head games with myself.”

A major factor in her inactivity was a broken ankle suffered in practice last November. The freak injury, which occurred when Calder was demonstrating a wrestling move on her, sent her to the hospital for surgery.

“It was a good experience for me because I haven’t had a major injury. It was just being hospitalized, being positive and building myself up again.

“Obviously, I would prefer for it not to happen, but you have to put it in perspective.”

Dating back to 1992, Gord Wood, a member of the Brock men’s national champion basketball team, the athlete-of-the-year selection committee has recognized Brock athletes as a part of the St. Catharines community.

And the longtime resident of St. Catharines-Thorold was an easy choice for 2004.

“She’s one of the ones who is good and totally committed,” Calder said. “She’s tough, she trains hard, she wants it and she’s gifted athletically.a

And although the 2008 Olympics are a long way off, Calder can’t help but look ahead.

“She has a real good chance of having a great showing in Beijing.”

But she needs to get plenty of experience against Asian opposition and work on her leg defences.

“We focus so much on being proactive on the mat that sometimes defence gets overlooked,” Calder said. “And there’s always things from a progressive standpoint that we need to work on.

“She’s still relatively inexperienced at the international level. There’s a ton of room for improvement and experience means a lot.”

Away from the mat, Verbeek hopes to present her masters of education thesis this fall on critical incidents for athletes — events an athlete perceives as critical to her career.

Verbeek’s Olympic experience will be a central part of her thesis.

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Verbeek returns to mat with second place finish in italy

Wayne Creighton
Apr 8, 2005

THOROLD -- Tonya Verbeek's long road back to the Olympic Games has begun.
The 27-year-old Beamsville native and Brock University graduate made history last summer by winning a silver medal in Athens as women's wrestling made its Olympic debut. In November, however, she broke her ankle during practice and only returned to the mat two weeks ago at the Tropheo Milone Invitational tournament in Naples, Italy where she placed second.

Verbeek defeated Simona Corbani of Italy and fellow Canadian Britanee Laverdure 3-0 before losing to American Tina George in the final by a score of 3-1.

"I felt pretty good and pretty strong in there," said Verbeek about her return to competition for the first time in seven months. "I just need more competitions to get the mental edge that you need and I'm eager to get back in there and compete."

The next major competition for Verbeek is the Senior National Championships in Renfrew, Ontario May 13-15 which will determine who will represent Canada at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary this September.

With time to reflect on her Olympic achievement, Verbeek recognizes that the silver medal was a culmination of hard work and sacrifice on her part as well as many others.

"I definitely know that I put my time in and made so many strides along the way," she says. "The Olympics is the outcome but I'm not totally satisfied and that's just my personality. I'm always looking for more and that's why I'm always eager to train and compete."

While wrestling takes up much of her life, Verbeek is also looking further down the road and had been busy supply teaching at elementary and secondary schools throughout Niagara.

"Teaching will be my future career," said Verbeek. "It will give me an opportunity to coach wrestling, I enjoy teaching and being around kids. It's a different lifestyle than just training all the time."

Last week Verbeek visited the Thorold Wrestling School and gave the youngsters some pointers and a chance to hold her Olympic medal. With as many girls as boys in the class, she acknowledged that women's wrestling has come a long way.

"It gives so many children an opportunity in high school as an outlet, any sport does. I think sport is so important in a child's life and throughout school. They stay active but also challenge themselves in competitions and having a dedication to something."

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FILA Cadet Trials - Girls Results (Canada)

4/4/05

38 kg FG
1 Ella Burk Rebels
2 Jenna Howard Sudbury
3 Brina Kurtenback Jr Huskies

40 kg FG
1 Mapleine Quizon Team Impac
2 Stevie VanWyk RNWWC

43 kg FG
1 Krista Betts BONAR
2 Teanna Chase Strathcona

46 kg FG
1 Coralie Dixon Strathcona
2 Jennifer Herbert Strathcona

49 kg FG
1 Genevieve Haley Metro Amat
2 Jenna Robinson Capilano

52 kg FG
1 Stephany Dergo Jr Huskies
2 Krystal Hughes Hamilton

56 kg FG
1 Raissa Dickinson BMWC
2 Megan Wilcox St. Stephe

60 kg FG
1 Nikita Chicoine Patriotes
2 Candace Fouillard Ft St. Joh

65 kg FG
1 Malissa Bryan Lexus Tita
2 Nicole Daum Cattown

70 kg FG
1 Kelita Zupancic Team Impac
2 Sarah Mercer Cattown

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U.S. Nationals preview at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. in women’s freestyle wrestling

4/20/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

Sara McMann of the Sunkist Kids won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games, the top performance of the U.S. women who competed in the inaugural Olympic competition in women’s wrestling in Athens, Greece. McMann has been the top athlete in this weight division for many years within the USA, also winning a World silver medal in 2003 and securing top placements in many other major events. McMann combines tremendous strength, with quality technique and a fierce competitiveness, something that give her an edge in close matches. McMann has not wrestled since the Olympic Games ended, and many expect that she will not be on the mats in Las Vegas this year.

The defending U.S. Nationals champion at this division in two-time World champion Kristie Marano of the New York AC, who pinned McMann in the finals in Las Vegas last year. Marano did not make weight at the Olympic Team Trials, and had to go up two divisions to wrestle in the highest Olympic weight class at 72 kg. Marano, a former heavyweight, was second in the Olympic Trials there, but is expected to drop back down in weight. She comes off an injury rehabilition this winter, and has not wrestled yet this year. Nobody knows what weight class she may settle in, although she has won her World titles at 67 kg and 68 kg.

The top returning athlete who has been active so far this season is Olympic Team Trials runner-up Alaina Berube of the New York AC. McMann handled Berube rather easily in the Olympic Trials finals, but since then, Berube continues to prove that she is a top contender for the U.S. World Team spot here this year. She wrestles for the Cumberland College varsity team, the most successful college wrestler in the nation right now. Berube won gold medals at the New York AC Christmas Open and the Dave Schultz Memorial International, and a silver at the Sunkist Kids International. She is getting the competition and doing the kind of preparation that will give her a chance to challenge for a World Team spot.

A former Team USA member who has come back strong this year is Tori Adams of the Sunkist Kids, who beat Berube to win the title at the Sunkist Kids International. Adams did not have a good performance at the Olympic Team Trials last year, but seems to have gotten her focus back this season. Another veteran who is having a up-and-down season so far this year is Kaci Lyle of the Sunkist Kids, who has been a U.S. Nationals finalist in the past and is capable of being a finalist again. Lyle has the ability to beat quality opponents, and will have to if she wishes to remain in the top echelon of this deep division.

Na’Tasha Umemoto of the Sunkist Kids was a U.S. Nationals champion at 59 kg last year, but has been wrestling up at this division this season. Umemoto is a high school star, and can be excellent when she is wrestling well. She is unafraid to throw her opponents and can score points from many positions. There has been a question of consistency with Umemoto, and it will be interesting how far she can go at this division if she is wrestling well.

Umemoto was beaten in the finals of the FILA Junior Nationals this year by unknown newcomer Jackie Cataline, a California high school wrestler who is just getting involved in freestyle. Cataline could quickly emerge as a national contender if she competes in Las Vegas and continues knocking off well-known competitors. In recent training sessions in Colorado Springs, she has shown that she is capable of wrestling at this level.

This weight class has some very talented high school stars, including Stefenie Shaw of the KT Kidz and Vanessa Oswalt of SW Force. Shaw, as a Connecticut high school junior, has a breakthrough performance at the Olympic Team Trials last year, placing a strong fourth. Shaw has wrestled up at 67 kg in recent events, so it will be interesting if she stays up there in Las Vegas. Oswalt also qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2004, by placing sixth at the U.S. Nationals, and continues to impress on the Senior level.

The depth in this weight division comes from the college ranks, led by athletes including Shelly Ruberg of Cumberland College and Rachel Billerbeck of Missouri Valley College. Ruberg has been placing in freestyle events in recent seasons, bringing some experience to the table here. Billerbeck is just a freshman in college and is learning freestyle, but has had some good showings this year. Placing eighth at last year’s U.S. Nationals was Tina Arnds, who went through the program at Missouri Valley and placed a number of times on the Senior level. There could also be a few other athletes, perhaps from the college and high school ranks, who get some wins at this division this year in Las Vegas.

Anytime Sara McMann wrestles, she become the favorite at this division. If she is taking time off from wrestling, as many expect, this opens up a chance for somebody new. Kristie Marano may not decide to compete at this division, meaning the champion here could be a first-time winner. Alaina Berube has earned the right to be considered as a favorite if McMann and Marano are not in the field. Others like Kaci Lyle, Na’Tasha Umemoto and Stefenie Shaw have shown the ability to make the gold-medal finals. This division will offer drama and some excellent competition at the U.S. Nationals this year.

2004 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS
1st - Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) pin Sara McMann, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 4:52
3rd - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) pin Alaina Berube, Escanaba,Mich. (Cumberland College), 5:01
5th - Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Vanessa Oswalt, Mount Vernon, Ohio (Simpson), 9-1
7th -Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) tech. fall Tina Arnds, Marshall, Mo. (Missouri Valley), 10-0, 5:46

THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 1, 2005
1. Alaina Berube, Escanaba,Mich. (Cumberland College)
2. Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Kaci Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
4. N’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (KT Kidz)
6. Vanessa Oswalt, Mount Vernon, Ohio (SW Force)
7. Shelly Ruberg, Ueras, Ohio (Cumberland College)
8. Rachel Billerbeck, Plugerville, Texas (Missouri Valley)
9. Titilope Lawani, Rialto, Calif. (Pacific)
10. Jen Chu, Philadelphia, Pa. (W.O.W)

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REMINDER - All entries at U.S. Nationals, FILA Junior Nationals and Western Regionals in Las Vegas MUST pre-register online by noon on Tues., April 26

4/20/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

All athletes who are planning to compete at the major USA Wrestling events scheduled for Las Vegas, Nev. next week must pre-register for the event right away.

The events that have MANDATORY pre-registration are the 2005 United States National Wrestling Championships, the Men’s FILA Junior National Championships and the Western Junior Regional Championships. These events will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., April 27-30.

All athletes in all divisions MUST pre-register online or by mail before Tuesday, April 26 at 12:00 noon Pacific time.

THERE WILL BE NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION OR LATE REGISTRATION. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THESE PROCEDURES.

To pre-register, visit the following website:
http://www.lvsports.org/events/wrestling.entry_form.main.html

Consent and waiver forms must be copied, completed and brought to check-in before weigh-ins at all of the events. Athletes can print a consent and waiver form from the website in advance, as part of the pre-registration process.

In addition to pre-registering the athletes online, there is also a process for coaches to pre-register their team rosters on the web page.

Athletes who are representing a specific club during the championships must be registered on-line as part of that club. Athletes should make sure that their wrestling club has placed them on the official roster by the April 26 deadline.

The U.S. National Wrestling Championships is the annual national tournament in all three styles of international wrestling: men’s freestyle, men’s Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle. The nation’s best wrestlers compete for national titles and All-American honors at this outstanding showcase event.

The Men’s FILA Junior National Championships feature the nation’s most talented athletes who are 17-20 years old, and includes both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

The Western Junior Regionals features the top high school wrestlers in the region and the nation, competing in freestyle and Greco-Roman. This is annually the largest of the Junior Regional events and features a very strong field of competitors.

For more information, visit www.LVSPORTS.org, or contact Event Director Larry Barnson of the Las Vegas Sports Committee at 1820 Cypress Greens Ave, Henderson, NV 89012. Barnson can be reached via E-mail at lvoc@aol.com.