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Soldier named 2005 Women’s Wrestler of the Year

By Tim Hipps 4/20/06
USACFSC Public Affairs

Sgt. Iris Smith (top), seen here defeating Ali Bernard for the 2005 women's 158.5-pound freestyle national championship in Las Vegas, has been named 2005 Women's Wrestler of the Year by USA Wrestling. (Photo, Tim Hipps)

A Soldier in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program has been named the 2005 Women’s Wrestler of the Year by USA Wrestling.

The highlight of Sgt. Iris Smith’s
year was a gold-medal performance in the women’s 158.5-pound freestyle division of the 2005 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary. She also finished third in her weight class at the 2005 World Cup of Wrestling in
Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Earlier this year, Smith was named 2005 Female Wrestler of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee. She also received a plaque from the Sportswomen of Colorado for her outstanding performances.

“Winning the world championship definitely was one of the goals that I’ve been trying to reach for the past 10 years,” Smith said. “Being a part of the World Class Athlete Program definitely helped me out a lot. I’m able to focus and still have a career and do something I love doing.”

As the only American to win a gold medal in the 2005 World Wrestling Championships, Smith became the fourth U.S. female wrestler to win a world crown, joining four-time gold medalist Tricia Saunders, two-time gold medalist Kristie Marano and Sandra Bacher. Smith is the only U.S. woman to win a world crown since women’s wrestling became an Olympic sport.

Smith upset five-time world champion Kyoko Hamaguchi of Japan to become the new world champion in her weight class. To reach the championship match, Smith posted victories over Bulgaria’s Stanka Zlateva, Poland’s Angnieska Wieczczek, and Germany’s Anita Schaetzle.

Smith, 26, has competed twice in the World Championships, finishing seventh in 2000. She also made Team USA’s roster for the 2001 World Championships but missed the tournament to attend Army basic training.
“My main goal is to win the Olympic gold medal,” Smith said. “Until then, I’m just going to continue to push forward.”

A four-time national champion, Smith did not participate in the 2006 U.S. National Wrestling Championships because of a left knee injury sustained in January during a tournament in Siberia. She has resumed training and plans to compete June 30 in the 2006 U.S. World Team Trials at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“It shouldn’t be too much of a setback except for just being a little bit rusty,” Smith said. “All of that rust can be cleaned out in the next few weeks.”

Champions of the women’s U.S. World Team Trials will qualify to represent the United States in the 2006 World Wrestling Championships scheduled Sept. 26 through Oct. 1 in Guangzhou, China.

Stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., Smith was born in Albany, Ga., where she began wrestling for the boys’ varsity team at Dougherty High School.

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Preliminary list of World Team Trials qualifiers released; athletes can still qualify for event

Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
04/19/2006

The field for the United States World Team Trials is close to being finalized, but Senior level wrestlers in all three styles still have a few more opportunities to qualify.

Finalists in each weight class in men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman from the University Nationals, set for April 28-30 in Evanston, Ill., will punch their tickets to the World Team Trials.

Finalists in each weight class in women's freestyle from the University Nationals for women, the Body Bar Women's National Championships on May 6-7 in Colorado Springs, will qualify for the World Team Trials.

The World Team Trials for men's freestyle and Greco-Roman are set for May 27-28 at the Tyson Center in Sioux City, Iowa, while the World Team Trials for women's freestyle are set for June 30 at the Colorado Springs Christian School in Colorado Springs.

Women’s freestyle champions in each weight class at the Northeast Regional, set for April 21-23 in Brockport, N.Y., also will qualify for the Trials. Champions in men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman from the Northern Plains Regional, set for May 4-6 in Waterloo, Iowa, also will earn a trip to the World Team Trials.

Champions in each weight class from the World Team Trials advance to the World Championships on Sept. 26-Oct. 2 in Guangzhou, China.

PRELIMINARY LIST OF 2006 WORLD TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIERS (AS OF APRIL 19)

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE
48 KG/105.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Whitney Conder, Puyallup, Wash. (Vision Quest Sport/Fitness)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Nicole Woody, Odenton, Md. (New York AC)
World Team member – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
World Team member – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial silver medalist – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International bronze medalist – Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix silver medalist – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix bronze medalist – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Northeast Regional champion – To be determined
University Nationals champion – To be determined
University Nationals, second place – To be determined

51 KG/112 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Julieta Okot, New York, N.Y. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Joey Miller, Woodward, Okla. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Cheryl Wong, Croton, N.Y. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Samantha Schuman, Omaha, Neb. (Missouri Valley)
Olympic Team member – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
World Team member – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Lydnsay Belisle (Burnaby Mountain)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial silver medalist – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International gold medalist – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix gold medalist – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Northeast Regional champion – To be determined
University Nationals champion – To be determined
University Nationals, second place – To be determined

55 KG/121 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo.(Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Dream)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Clarissa Calibuso, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley College)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Dream)
World Team member – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’05 Henri Deglane Challenge gold medalist – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International silver medalist – Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)
Northeast Regional champion – To be determined
University Nationals champion – To be determined
University Nationals, second place – To be determined

59 KG/130 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Deanna Rix, South Berwick, Maine (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Erica Chew, Houston, Texas (Missouri Valley College)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Brooke Bogren, Carbondale, Kan. (Missouri Valley)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Bethany Murphy (U.S. Air Force)
World Team member – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
World Team member – Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial gold medalist – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International silver medalist - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix silver medalist – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
Northeast Regional champion – To be determined
University Nationals champion – To be determined
University Nationals, second place – To be determined

63 KG/138.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Jackie Cataline, Corona, Calif. (Cataline’s Wildcats)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Rachel Billerbeck, Plugerville, Texas (Missouri Valley)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Vanessa Oswalt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Amberle Montgomery, Kent, Wash. (Vision Quest Sport and Fitness)
Olympic Team member – Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’05 Henri Deglane Challenge gold medalist – Alaina Berube, Esanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix bronze medalist – Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Northeast Regional champion – To be determined
University Nationals champion – To be determined
University Nationals, second place – To be determined

67 KG/147.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Michelle Hooker, Austin, Texas (Missouri Valley College)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Shelly Ruberg, Ueras, Ohio (Cumberland College)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Andrea Hale, Chicago, Ill. (Lassen College)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Laura McDonald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
World Team member – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Alexander Medved International bronze medalist – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix gold medalist – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Northeast Regional champion – To be determined
University Nationals champion – To be determined
University Nationals, second place – To be determined

72 KG/158.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ. of Regina)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Donell Bradley, Aiea, Hawaii (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (Cumberland College)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Wash. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Lacy Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (Missouri Valley)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Brittany Brown, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
Olympic Team member – Toccara Montgomery, Williamsburg, Ky. (New York AC)
World Team member – Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (Cumberland)
Northeast Regional champion – To be determined
University Nationals champion – To be determined
University Nationals, second place – To be determined