News Page
6/14/05
High School First Place Ranked Wrestlers
100 lbs Nicole Woody, Odenton, Maryland / Arundel HS / Junior
105 lbs Joey Miller, Woodward, Oklahoma / Woodward HS / Sophomore
110 lbs Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Illinois / Glenbard North HS / Senior
114 lbs Tatiana Padilla, LaVerne, California / Northview High School / Sophomore
118 lbs Nicole Darrow, Lanesboro, Massachusetts / Mt. Greylock HS / Senior
122 lbs Cheyenne Stokes, Tulsa, Oklahoma / East Central HS / Junior
126 lbs Sarah Peasley, Escanaba, Michigan / Home Schooled / Senior
130 lbs Kara Takasaki, Aiea, Hawaii / Punahou School / Junior
134 lbs Lauren Knight, Vallejo, California / Vallejo HS / Senior
138 lbs Samantha Gorman, Allendale, Michigan / Allendale HS / Junior
144 lbs Jackie Cataline, Corona, California / Norco HS / Senior
152 lbs Amberlee Ebert, Reedsville, Wisconsin / Reedsville HS / Senior
165 lbs Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Washington / Ridgefield HS / Senior
165+ lbs Toni Copeland, McDonough, New York / Oxford Academy HS / Senior
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Izboinikov named new Women’s Freestyle National Developmental/Resident Coach for USA Wrestling
6/13/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling has hired Vladislav Izboinikov of Yucca Valley, Calif. to the new full-time position of Women’s Freestyle National Developmental/Resident Coach.
Izboinikov, who is called “Coach Izzy” by his athletes, joins USA Wrestling after serving 10 years as a teacher and wrestling coach at Yucca Valley High School in California, where he built a strong program and was active in USA Wrestling programs. He also has an impressive coaching and competition background from his native Russia prior to coming to the United States.
Izboinikov will work supporting the efforts of National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner in building the women’s wrestling program in the United States.
He will run USA Wrestling’s Women’s Freestyle Resident Program at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. In addition, Izboinikov will be responsible for building the age-group national program in women’s wrestling and improving the U.S. performance at the younger ages.
“He has built a program from scratch into a small dynasty at his high school,” said Steiner. “He has everything necessary in being a great coach, a real passion for coaching. He brings excitement and knowledge to the forefront, and a different energy to his effort. Izzy is a strong communicator and relates well to other cultures. He will create many developmental opportunities for our athletes. I am excited to work with him. He brings a different style than I do, and will compliment my efforts. With Izzy in his new position, working with the college coaches and the state women’s directors, we will move women’s youth wrestling forward.”
Izboinikov served 10 years as the head wrestling coach at Yucca Valley High School, where he had a conference dual meet record of 42-1 and a 160-34 overall record during his tenure. His team was conference team champion nine times, with 62 conference champions. Yucca Valley won the sectional title four times, with 15 champions and 45 placewinners.
He has been active with California USA Wrestling, as a state level coach in 2004, as well as a developmental coach with the Inland Empire Wrestling Association since 1998. He also served as a developmental coach with the Western New York Super Six Wrestling Club for three years. Izzy is a Silver level certified coach with USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Education Program.
Izboinikov has coached U.S. women’s wrestling teams on foreign tours, and has participated in training camps with the women’s program.
He learned his wrestling coaching and competition skills in Russia, where he competed as an athlete and earned his coaching degrees. He competed in both Greco-Roman and freestyle. He was a member of the Sport Club of Olympic Reserve in Moscow from 1981-87, then trained at the Olympic Training Center in Moscow from 1987-93. Among his achievements were a second place in the Russian Junior National/World Team Tryouts in 1989. He won two medals at the Moscow State Championship during his career, and was a bronze medalist at the College National Championships in 1992.
Izboinikov received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from the Moscow State University of Physical Education in 1993. He also received his Wrestling Coach diploma in Russia in 1993. Izzy came to the United States in 1993 to pursue employment opportunities.
Coach Izzy is excited about the opportunity to help build the U.S. women’s wrestling program, which is still very early in its development.
“I would like to thank USA Wrestling for this great opportunity. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of such a great organization. This is a great time to step in, with the beginning of a new Olympic cycle,” said Izboinikov.
“Women’s wrestling is in its early stage, and I look forward to being part of its development,” he said. “My No. 1 priority is to set up a feeder system to develop World and Olympic team members. What I bring to the table is the combination of the Eastern European and American schools of wrestling. Coach Steiner has done wonderful things to develop women’s wrestling to the level it has reached today. Together, we can take it even further, to where U.S. women’s wrestling becomes No. 1 in the world.”
Izboinikov is married, and his wife’s name is Pam. They have two children, Dimitri (6) and Alyssa (5).
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World Team Trials preview at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. in women’s freestyle wrestling
6/13/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
Clearly, the winningest wrestler in U.S. women’s wrestling history since the sport was established worldwide has been Kristie Marano of the New York AC, who has seven career World medals, including two World titles. Marano has won her medals at a few different weight classes, starting way back when she was a high school student. The weight at which she won both of her World titles is at the current 67 kg division. This is the weight class where Marano won a gold medal this year at the U.S. Nationals, and enters the World Team Trials as the No. 1 seed.
There is no guarantee that Marano will compete here in Ames, however. For the last few seasons, Marano wrestled most of the time down at 63 kg, where she had an intense rivalry with Sara McMann of the Sunkist Kids, who went on to win an Olympic silver medal. Last year, Marano beat McMann in the U.S. Nationals, but did not make weight at the Olympic Trials, forcing her all the way up to 72 kg in Indianapolis. After recoving from an injury, Marano is back in top form and has choices where she can compete.
Marano has consistently been able to beat talented Katie Downing of the Sunkist Kids at this division, including a win in the 2005 U.S. Nationals finals. In both 2002 and 2003, Marano defeated Downing in Special Wrestle-offs at this non-Olympic weight class to make the U.S. World Team. Downing has impressive achievements, including national titles, a World Cup gold medal and many other international medals. This year, Downing has captured the New York AC Christmas Open, the Gilbert Schaub Open in France and the Dave Schultz Memorial.
She competes best at 67 kg, after moving up to 72 kg in 2004 for a run at an Olympic team spot.
Last year, after the Olympic Trials, Downing won a Wrestle-off to earn the No. 1 at 67 kg for the season. She continues to train hard, improve her skills, and work for her chance to compete for the USA at the World Championships. Downing is working hard to make this her year to reach that goal.
The 2004 U.S. Nationals champion at this division is past Junior World champion Ali Bernard of the Univ. of Regina. Bernard moved up a weight class for the U.S. Nationals and placed second at 72 kg. She was also at higher weight classes all year competing on the Canadian college circuit. However, she has made it down to 67 kg this year, so there is a possibility that she might come back down and test herself at this division once again.
College star Heather Martin of the New York AC was third at the U.S. Nationals this year, her first season with the Cumberland College team. In 2004, Martin was second at the U.S. Nationals, in a division in which some of the other athletes had switched into Olympic weight classes. Even though Martin dropped one spot in the national standings from 2004, she is doing very well in a stronger field of competitors. Martin is expected to be a challenger for U.S. teams for many years, and should only get better over time.
Placing fourth in Las Vegas was Martin’s college teammate from Cumberland College, Shelly Ruberg, who has been paying her dues in recent seasons by wrestling in many tournaments and doing well. She was second at the Sunkist Kids International this fall, and has won medals in tournaments in Canada as well.
Ku’u Johnson, a member of the USOEC resident program at Northern Michigan, placed fifth at the U.S. Nationals this year. She has been very active on the national scene this season, also competing in a number of major age-group events.
College wrestler Andrea Hale of Lassen College and U.S. Air Force athlete Laura McDonald were the other athletes who placed at the U.S. Nationals and qualified to wrestle in Ames. Hale has done well competing against college athletes, and is making progress on the Senior level. McDonald is new to the U.S. Senior circuit, and currently gaining the experience necessary to improve. Joining the field through the Regional tournaments was veteran Ashley Sword of the New York AC, this year’s University Nationals champion. Sword has been a USOTC resident athlete in Colorado Springs, but has had a number of injuries that have challenged her in recent seasons. She may drop down to 63 kg, but has wrestled up at 67 kg many times in the past.
This weight class belongs to Kristie Marano, as long as she chooses to compete here and until somebody beats her. The person who has the best chance, and highest incentive, to defeat Marano is talented Katie Downing, who is seeking her first World Team. Young Heather Martin is one of the emerging stars who are expected to build the future for Team USA. Unless there are some new individuals who change weights and move into this division, the top three athletes from Las Vegas are expected to dominate the rest of the field at this division.
2005 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS AT 67 KG/147.75 LBS.
1st – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-0
3rd – Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC) pin Shelly Ruberg, Williamsburg, Ky. (Cumberland College), 6-0, 1:15
5th – K’uu Johnson, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC) dec. Andrea Hale, Chicago, Ill. (Lassen College), 5-1, 2-0
7th – Laura McDonald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) won inj. dft. over Kelly Branham, Apache Junction, Ariz. (Missouri Valley)
QUALIFIERS FOR 2005 WORLD TEAM TRIALS AT 67 KG/147.75 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place – Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place – Shelly Ruberg, Williamsburg, Ky. (Cumberland College)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place – Ku’u Johnson, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place – Andrea Hale, Chicago, Ill. (Lassen College)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place – Laura McDonald, Colorado Springs, Colorado (U.S. Air Force)
Rocky Mountain Regional Champion – Ashley Sword, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Northern Plains Regional Champion – No entry at this weight class
Past World Team member – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
’04 Sunkist Kids International champion – None, foreign champion
’04 NYAC Christmas Open champion – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 2 yrs) –
*’03 World Cup gold medalist - Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC
*’05 Gilbert Schaub Open gold medalist - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
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National Champions Q&A: Kristie Marano
6/13/2005
John Fuller/TheMat.com
Kristie Marano of the New York Athletic Club was on track to compete in the Olympic Games last year. She had defeated World silver medalist Sara McMann in the U.S. Nationals and was in the Olympic Trials finals.
But then she missed weight and had to bump up two weight classes, finishing second in the Trials. This year, Marano is back at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. She dominated the U.S. Nationals one more time, and with a win at the World Team Trials, would be looking at a U.S. record eighth World-level medal.
TheMat.com talked to Marano about the upcoming World Team Trials, and last year’s devastation at the Olympic Trials.
TheMat.com: Some wrestlers actually prefer wrestling in the Challenge Tournament. Others prefer sitting out. Where do you stand on that subject?
Marano: Well since I have been able to both, I like to do both. I see the Challenge Tournament as a warm-up, and sitting out has helped me recover and be fresh for one day of matches.
TheMat.com: Obviously the thought of not making weight at the Olympic Trials must still be a hard one. But what did you learn from that experience?
Marano: I learned that if I was to go back down to 63 kilograms, I would need to work on weight maintenance.
TheMat.com: You went to Athens as a training partner. Was it hard to watch those matches and not be competing?>
Marano: It was hard for me to watch the matches, but I was also excited for the girls. I also was very inspired to continue my wrestling and work even harder to make the team in 2008.
TheMat.com: You can competitively wrestle at three different weight classes. Which one is the best for you?
Marano: I think I am the most comfortable at 67 kilograms. I feel really good and strong there.
TheMat.com: What are your feelings on the new rules?
Marano: There are things I like, and things I don’t like. I kind of just go with it though, because it seems you always have to adapt to change a lot in this sport.
TheMat.com: You are only 26 years old, but have seven medals in World competition. Do you see yourself as a veteran of this sport?
Marano: I don’t think of myself as a veteran, but it has been used many times to describe me. However it doesn't offend me either.
TheMat.com: Do you expect to see any faces come out of the woodwork for the Trials?
Marano: I have no idea. It would be nice to see some old faces again.
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World Team Trials to air on CSTV on Saturday, July 2 at 8 pm Eastern
6/13/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
College Sports Television (CSTV) has notified USA Wrestling that the World Team Trials broadcast will premier on CSTV on Saturday, July 2 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.
This event features the best wrestlers in the nation competing in the three Olympic styles of the sport: men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle and men’s Greco-Roman. The winners of the World Team Trials qualify to represent the United States at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 26-Oct. 2.
Viewers can anticipate more airings of this broadcast throughout the summer. Go to CSTV.com for a complete program schedule. Fans can search the schedule database under wrestling, and find all of the wrestling programming on CSTV .
The World Team Trials, presented by ASICS and Check into Cash, is set for the Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State Univ. in Ames, Iowa, June 18-19.
The broadcast crew for the World Team Trials will be veteran play-by-play announcer Van Stokes, former Iowa State coach Jim Gibbons who provides color commentary, and wrestling broadcaster Joe Miller, who handles both color commentary and interviews.
The length of the broadcast will be between two and three hours long, and will be determined during production after the event. The production plan for the show is to air 13 championship matches in their entirety, with action in all three styles.
The matches that will be shown will be the final bout of the best-of-three Championship Series, the deciding match that determines which athlete wins the spot on the U.S. World Team.
CSTV has aired numerous wrestling events in recent years, including both international wrestling and college wrestling.
CSTV Networks is a multi-media company that consists of the first-ever 24-hour college sports television network, College Sports TV; the leading college sports online network, the CSTV.com Broadband Network; and the first ever 24-hour college sports radio network, SIRIUS College Sports Radio. Through its numerous platforms, CSTV provides more live college sports games, events, news, information, analysis and broadband content, and reaches more college sports fans, than any other company.