News Page
9/20/2006 1:44:00 PM
The World Greco-Roman, Freestyle and Women's Wrestling Championship is to take place in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, on September, 25-30. Tuvan female wrestler Lorisa Oorzhak will not be able to participate there due to her trauma, as IA Tuva Online reported.
Russia will be represented in the weight category of 48 kg by Inga Karamchakova, the women's wrestling department of the Wrestling Federation reported. No more details are known about the Tuvan sportswoman's trauma yet, since this information have been reported by telephone from Baikal training camp, where Russian female wrestlers are on training for the competition now.
It is worth mentioning that Buvaisar Saitiev is to represent Russian composite team in the weight category of 74 kg at the world championship in China.
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2006 World Championships preview at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. in women’s freestyle wrestling
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
09/20/2006
Meng Lili of China won the World gold medal last year, defeating Canada’s Martine Dugrenier in the championship match. Meng was a World champion in 2001 at 63 kg and placed ninth at the Olympic Games in 2004. She has not competed at any major events during the 2006 season, which makes the Chinese entry this year a bit of a question.
Rui Xue Jing of China, the World silver medalist at 63 kg last year, won the World Cup and the Canada Cup up at 67 kg this year. Su Huihua of China was the Asian champion this year at this division.
Dugrenier made her name on the world level last year, with a strong performance in Budapest at her first Senior World meet. She was a bronze medalist at the World University Championships this year, a weight class which was won by Naranchimeg Gelegjamts of Mongolia. Dugrenier also dropped down to 63 kg for the Canada Cup this summer and took a silver medal.
Winning World bronze medals last year were Elene Perepelkina of Russia and Katie Downing of the United States, both who continue to win medals at international events this year. Perepelkina won the European Championships title this year, and placed second at the World Cup. Russia could also decide to enter Natalia Kuksina, who placed second at the FILA Golden Grand Prix in the finals.
Downing returns to the World Championships for the second time, and seems to have gained confidence since breaking through at this division. For a number of years, she was beaten out for the U.S. teams by two-time World champion Kristie Marano, who Downing defeated in the 2005 World Team Trials. Now Marano competes up at 72 kg. Downing’s loss last year at the World meet was to North American rival Dugrenier, and she is anxious for another chance at going for the World title.
This is the only weight class where Japan has not been very strong in recent seasons. One option for Japan is Eri Sakamoto, who was seventh in the World last year. The FILA Golden Grand Prix champion this year at this division was Hiroe Suzuki of Japan. The Junior World champion this year was Japanese, Yoshiko Inoue. Another talent is Mami Shinkai, who was second at the World University Championships. It would still be a major achievement if Japan were able to win a medal at this weight class, which has been the weak link in its very strong lineup.
Kristina Odrina of Latvia placed second at the European Championships this year, her first medal at the continental level in her career. Winning European bronze medals were Irina Tsyrkevich of Belarus and Agnieszka Wieszczek of Poland. For both of them, this was also their best performances at this weight class. Wieszczek won a World University silver medal at 72 kg in 2004, and has only dropped down to this weight class this season.
Ashlea McManus of Great Britain had a surprising performance at the 2005 World Championships, placing fifth in the standings. She was ninth in the European Championships this year. Mongolia’s Naranchimeg Gelegjamts was also fifth at the World meet last year, but came in fifth at the Asian Championships this year.
Also placing in the top 10 at the World meet last year were Rita Soos of Hungary, Stavrola Zygouri of Greece, and Masira Admiraal of the Netherlands. Zygouri placed fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games, competing down at 63 kg.
A veteran who is always capable of making an impact is Lisa Golliot-Legrand, who was eighth at the European Championships this year. Legrand won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games, competing at 63 kg, and won World gold medals way back in 1995 and 1997. At 30 years old, she may be past her prime, but she remains a difficult opponent because of her experience and saavy.
2002 World champion Katarina Burmistrova of Ukraine placed 15th at the World meet last year, yet was a 2005 European champion at this division. She has not wrestled since the World meet in Hungary last year. Ukraine was represented by Valeria Zlatova at the European Championships this year, who pl;aced seventh in the standings.
The 67 kg division has shown a considerable amount of turnover and change over recent seasons. With the defending champion Meng Lili being from China, which is hosting the World meet this year, she enters as a favorite to defend on her home mats. However, there are a number of others with the ability to battle for the gold here, and the results in this division are never easy to predict.
RECENT WORLD AND OLYMPIC RESULTS
2005 World Championships results
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Gold - Meng Lili (China); Silver - Martine Dugrenier (Canada); Bronze - Elene Perepelkina (Russia); Bronze - Katie Downing (USA); 5th - Naranchimeg Gelegjamts (Mongolia); 5th - Ashlea McManus (Great Britain); 7th - Eri Sakamoto (Japan); 8th - Rita Soos (Hungary); 9th - Stavrola Zygouri (Greece); 10th - Masira Admiraal (Netherlands)
2004 – Olympic Year - No World Championships at this non-Olympic weight
2003 World Championships results
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Gold – Kristie Marano (United States) dec. Ewelina Pruszko (Poland), 7-1; Bronze – Svetlana Martynenko (Russia) dec. Shannon Samler (Canada), 4-3, ot, 8:07; 5th – Nori Saito (Japan); 6th – Stavroula Zygouri (Greece); 7th – Wang Jiao (China); 8th – Katerina Burmistrova (Ukraine); 9th – Martina Zyklova (Czech Republic); 10th – Jodeen Macgregor (New Zealand)
2002 World Championships
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - 1st - Katarina Burmistrova (Ukraine) dec Lise Legrand (France), 3-2, ot, 6:48; 3rd - Kristie Marano (USA) dec. Ewelina Pruszko (Poland), 6-1; 5th - Aikaterini Siavou (Greece); 6th - Annika Oertli (Germany); 7th - Norie Saito (Japan); 8th - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria); 9th - Elena Perepelkina (Russia); 10th - Xiomara Guavara (Venezuela)
2001 World Championships results
68 kg/149.75 lbs. - Gold - Christine Nordhagen-Vierling (Canada) dec. Toccara Montgomery (USA), 4-1; Bronze - Anita Schatzle (Germany) won by tech. fall over Sveta Yarashevich (Russia), 11-1; 5th - Katerina Burmistrova (Ukraine); 6th - Yanli Yang (China); 7th - Zlateve Stanka (Bulgaria); 8th - Unda Maider (Spain); 9th - Monika Kowalska (Poland); 10th - Jana Panova (Kyrghzstan)
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Participation in high school wrestling grows in 2005-06 according to National Federation survey
from NFHS release
09/20/2006
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has released its 2005-06 High School Athletics Participation Survey, and the sport of wrestling has grown in all categories studied.
The statistics for boys wrestling grew during the 2005-06 season, both in terms of number of teams and number of athletes.
In 2005-06, there were 251,534 boys competing in wrestling, an increase of 8,525 wrestlers from the previous year (a 3.5 percent increase).
In 2005-06, there were 9,744 boys wrestling teams in the nation, an increase in 182 teams from the previous year (a 1.9 percent increase).
Wrestling remained the No. 6 most popular boys sport in terms of number of participants and the No. 8 most popular sport in terms of number of teams.
Girls wrestling also increased in both major categories.
The number of girl wrestlers in high schools in 2005-06 grew to 4,975 athletes, an increase of 641 wrestlers from the previous year (a 14.8 percent increase)
The number of teams with girl wrestlers in 2005-06 was 1,081 teams,
an increase of 140 teams (a 14.9 percent increase).
When combining the number of boys and girls involved in wrestling in 2005-06, the total number grew to 256,509, which increased 9,166 athletes for the year. This amounts to a 3.7 percent increase in total wrestlers for the year.
For the 17th consecutive year, the number of student participants in high school athletics increased overall. There was a total of 7,159,904 students in all sports, an increase of 141,195 for the year.
TEN MOST POPULAR BOYS PROGRAMS
Participants
1. Football — 11-player, 1,071,775
2. Basketball, 546,335
3. Track and Field — Outdoor, 533,985
4. Baseball, 470,671
5. Soccer, 358,935
6. Wrestling, 251,534
7. Cross Country, 208,303
8. Golf, 161,284
9. Tennis, 153,006
10. Swimming and Diving, 107,468
Schools
1. Basketball, 17,535
2. Track and Field — Outdoor, 15,497
3. Baseball, 15,290
4. Football — 11-player, 13,727
5. Golf, 13,267
6. Cross Country, 13,110
7. Soccer, 10,580
8. Wrestling, 9,744
9. Tennis, 9,706
10. Swimming and Diving, 6,224
NFHS PRESS RELEASE ON PARTICIPATION
Participation in High School Sports Increases Again; Confirms NFHS Commitment to Stronger Leadership
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 18, 2006) — For the 17th consecutive year, the number of student participants in high school athletics increased in 2005-06, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Announcement of the increase comes as the NFHS, the national leadership organization for high school athletics and fine arts activity programs, launches new initiatives toward becoming a more proactive force for the future of high school activity programs nationwide.
Based on figures from the 50 state high school athletic/activity associations, plus the District of Columbia, that are members of the NFHS, participation for the 2005-06 school year rose by 141,195 students to 7,159,904, according to the 2005-06 High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS. Through the survey, it was also determined that 53.5 percent of students enrolled in high schools participate in athletics.
“We’re thrilled with this year’s survey results,” said NFHS Executive Director Robert F. Kanaby. “The results show that even more students are participating in high school sports, which will have positive effects on their long-term personal success. The results support the NFHS 2005-2008 Strategic Plan, in which the organization committed to providing stronger leadership and support for high school athletics and fine arts activities.”
For years, the NFHS has been the source of official playing rules, training programs for coaches and officials, and coordination and communications among individual state high school associations. In addition to these foundational roles, Kanaby said the NFHS will be working to gain awareness and support from state and local governments, media, corporate partners, and especially students and their parents.
“It is unfortunate that, in some cases, financial support for high school athletics and activities has been declining,” Kanaby said. “Students want these programs. This latest survey shows a continuing trend toward more participation, and that’s good for students and their communities. We can demonstrate that participation in athletics and activities helps students succeed in life.”
In addition to the overall numbers, the girls participation total of 2,953,355 set an all-time record. The boys total also increased, reaching 4,206,549, the highest participation in the past 28 years. This year’s boys participation figure is second only to the record 4,367,442 in 1977-78.
Competitive spirit squads gained the most female participants in 2005-06 with 14,154, followed by outdoor track and field with 11,002, indoor track and field with 6,265 and cross country with 5,504.
Eleven-player football gained the most participants among boys sports in 2005-06 with 26,281, followed by outdoor track and field with 17,282, baseball with 10,954 and wrestling with 8,525.
Basketball remained the most popular sport for girls with 452,929 participants, followed by outdoor track and field (439,200), volleyball (390,034), fast pitch softball (369,094), soccer (321,555), cross country (175,954), tennis (173,753), swimming and diving (147,413), competitive spirit squads (98,570) and golf (64,195).
In boys sports, 11-player football once again topped the list with 1,071,775 participants, followed by basketball (546,335), outdoor track and field (533,985), baseball (470,671), soccer (358,935), wrestling (251,534), cross country (208,303), golf (161,284), tennis (153,006) and swimming and diving (107,468).
Texas held its title as having the most sports participants with 742,341, followed by California (678,019), New York (350,349), Illinois (323,703), Michigan (321,250), Ohio (316,529), Pennsylvania (267,147), New Jersey (243,260), Florida (214,023) and Minnesota (213,476).
The participation survey has been compiled since 1971 by the NFHS through numbers it receives from its member associations. The complete 2005-06 Participation Survey is available on the NFHS Web site www.nfhs.org>.
About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS0
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and fine arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and fine arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 18,500 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; produces publications for high school coaches, officials and athletic directors; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, spirit coaches, speech and debate coaches and music adjudicators; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org.
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September 20, 2006
The Northern California Officials Association is looking for men and women who are interested in becoming high school basketball or wrestling officials.
Interested parties should check out the Web site, www.norcalofficials.org. There is an “If interested” form to submit. Basketball starts its meetings on Oct. 25 and wrestling starts its meetings on Oct. 30.
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Cliff Keen duals headed back to UNI
Famed wrestling event to return 2008–2009.
The Associated Press 9/20/06
CEDAR FALLS — The National Wrestling Coaches Association approved a motion at its annual general membership meeting that the 2008 and 2009 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals be awarded again to the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.
The meeting was one of the first items of interest at the annual National Wrestling Coaches Association Convention at the Hyatt Regency Airport in Pittsburgh on Monday.
Last year, Minnesota upended then–top ranked Oklahoma State in the Division I finals which was one of the most exciting finishes in National Duals history.
"The University of Northern Iowa did a tremendous job in hosting the event last year," said NWCA President Ron Beaschler. "The fact they want the event for two more years even before they host the event this year really speaks volumes about how they see the future of the event."
UNI head wrestling coach Brad Penrith said it is a great honor to be hosting this event through 2009.
"It's extremely exciting for us at UNI to be the host of this event for the next three years," Penrith said. "Our administration has worked extremely hard to make this a premier event. We hope to keep improving it and take it to a higher level. It's also great for the surrounding community and the Cedar Valley. The community support for the event has been great for us at UNI and everyone involved."
The NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals has become the largest collegiate dual meet event in the nation, with tournaments in every major college division. All three NCAA divisions have tournaments with 16 teams, as does the NAIA. The NJCAA has an eight–team tournament, the NCWA has a four–team round–robin tournament while four collegiate women's programs also wrestle a round–robin tournament.
"The NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals now has a chance to grow some roots and continue to develop the fanbase in the wrestling–rich Iowa region," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "There are so many solid wrestling programs within a 4–5 hour drive in all divisions that can create an electricity by rooting their respective colleges on in an exciting dual meet tournament."
"We think Northern Iowa and Cedar Falls will really accentuate the visibility of the event nationwide," added Beaschler.
Last year was UNI's first year hosting the event which has previously been hosted in Cleveland, Ohio at Cleveland State University; State College, Pa., at Penn State University; Columbus, Ohio at Ohio State University; Lincoln, Neb., at the University of Nebraska; Iowa City at the University of Iowa; Ann Arbor, Mich., at the University of Michigan and in Hampton, Va. as part of the Virginia Duals.
Notes: The Panthers have several ties to southeast Iowa on this season's team. Columbus Junction's Randy Pugh returns as the lead assistant coach and his cousin, Seth, a state champion for Columbus at 145 pounds this spring, is a freshman 157–pounder for UNI. Mediapolis grad Justin Swafford returns for his junior season at 149 pounds. Swafford is a two–time lettermen for the Panthers.