UWO Rookie, Nguyen wins 56 kg Gold at Matman Classic

by Josip Mrkoci - London, Ontario, CANADA 12/05

Jennifer Nguyen won first place at the Matman Classic Wrestling Tournament in Brampton, Ontario, ( located on the outskirts of city of Toronto ) Saturday, December 10, 2005 winning three matches at 56 kg. The London-Western Wrestling Club member and University of Western Ontario ( UWO ) - Kinesiology student, a Varsity Team wrestling rookie beat Stephanie O’Hanley in the final for the gold from host club Matman in a tight match, 3 rounds to two. After splitting the first two rounds, Nguyen came from behind to tie the score 2-2 with 0 :12 seconds left and won on criteria ( last point scored) to win the gold.

"Jenn was not only able to hang on from (O’Hanley’s) comeback, but she scored a two-pointer at the end to win the match," remarked coach, Ray Takahashi. "She showed a lot of determination, especially as she wasn’t 100% recovered from a cold."

In other results, UWO team mates and also members of London-Western Wrestling Club, Kirby Steinhoff placed third at 71 kg winning 3 matches while Lindsay Rebernik took fourth at 61 kg with a 2-2 win-loss record.

A quite a few UWO wrestling athletes had their University exams scheduled for the weekend of the Matmen Classic Wrestling Tournament, therefore most could not attend the wrestling event.

The UWO wrestling ( women & men) mustangs are off during the exam break and will return for a camp January 5, 6, 7 /06. "We had a good first term," says Takahashi. If things go well starting January we’ll be in a good position when we need to peak in mid-February."

UWO Women’s captain, Terri McNutt will attend a combined US-Canada National women’s training camp in San Diego Jan 4-10/06

Jennifer Nguyen ( UWO ) controlling her opponent in a head-and-arm pinning hold at the Matman Classic Wrestling Tournament, Dec 10/05. Nguyen won the match and the gold medal at 56 kg.