News Page
Monday, February 5, 2007; Page A14
Wheaton High School wrestling coach Dave Moquin's remarks regarding the detrimental effect that girls are having on his ability to build his program ["Girls Who Want to Join the Team Find a Welcome Mat," Sports, Jan. 25] revealed a prejudice.
Mr. Moquin, whose junior varsity team includes two girls, complained that "it's like having a kid in AP classes who is not qualified to be in there and doesn't do well on the tests. They're challenging themselves, but they are taking away from our teaching abilities."
The coach seems to feel that if a girl cannot make the varsity, she shouldn't be going out for the team at all. Does he apply this same logic to his male wrestlers? If so, why have a junior varsity team at all?
He claimed that the girls work extremely hard but that they are not helping him build a program. Just what is this program built for if not for wrestlers who come ready to learn and work hard?
SUSAN SYMINGTON
Bethesda
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WRESTLING: World champion Velikov, World Team member Lawal added to Chicago Cup roster
EVANSTON, Ill. - 2/5/07
Two late changes in the lineups have done nothing to diminish the star power for the inaugural Chicago Cup.
In fact, the changes may have enhanced the appeal and anticipation of the men’s freestyle wrestling dual meet between the United States and Russia even more.
Russia did not have a wrestler available at 55 kg/121 pounds, but meet organizers found a more-than-suitable replacement by plugging 2006 World champion Radoslav Velikov of Bulgaria into that spot.
It will be a battle of World champions in the opening freestyle bout of the Chicago Cup when Velikov meets American Sammie Henson at 55 kilos. Velikov beat Henson 4-0, 7-1 in the semifinals of the 2006 World meet in Guangzhou, China. Henson, a 1998 World champion and 2000 Olympic silver medalist, came back to win a bronze medal at the 2006 Worlds.
Velikov has been in Colorado Springs training for the Dave Schultz Memorial International Open, set for Feb. 8-10 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, and agreed late last week to fill the vacant spot on the Russian squad.
The dual meet is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Welsh-Ryan Arena on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Ill. There also will be a pair of Greco-Roman matches in addition to a pair of women’s freestyle matches.
“This event will showcase America’s top wrestlers in heated competition against the best wrestlers in the World,” said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling’s Executive Director. “Fireworks are sure to fly as the athletes attempt to establish themselves on the World’s elite stage.”
The American team has added 2005 U.S. World Team member Mo Lawal to its roster at 96 kg/211.5 pounds. The demonstrative, high-energy Lawal, who became a fan favorite in Iran with his entertaining style during the U.S. team’s trip to the Takhti Cup last month, replaced past Olympian Daniel Cormier in the lineup.
Lawal has bumped up one weight class this year after previously competing at 84 kg/185 lbs. Lawal was ranked No. 1 in the World last year before being upset in the 2006 U.S. World Team Trials. Lawal placed third in the World Team Trials at 84 kg.
Even without anybody at 55 kg, the Russians still have plenty of firepower in their lineup. Russia’s Shamil Batirov (66 kg/145.5 lbs.) was a 2005 Junior World champion while Rustam Agaev (96 kg/211.5 lbs.) was fifth in the 2004 Olympics. Heavyweight Aleksey Voronin was second in the 2005 World University Championships.
The team from Russia also is expected to compete at the Dave Schultz Memorial International.
Five of the seven members of the 2006 U.S. World Team are scheduled to compete, including World silver medalist Mike Zadick at 60 kg/132 lbs. along with World bronze medalists in Henson and Donny Pritzlaff (74 kg/163 lbs.). Also on the team are 2006 World Team members Andy Hrovat (84 kg/185 lbs.) and Tolly Thompson (120 kg/264.5 lbs.). Thompson is a past World bronze medalist.
“I’ve never been in one of these international duals, so it will be fun to have a dual in the U.S. against Russia,” Zadick said. “Russia has tough wrestlers and they are the best team in the World right now. They are not coming over here to lose and they’re not coming over here for sightseeing. They love to beat Americans and laugh at them afterwards. It works both ways.”
Jared Frayer, second at the 2006 U.S. World Team Trials to eventual World champion Bill Zadick, will compete in the Chicago Cup at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
2006 World bronze medalists Lindsey Durlacher (55 kg/121 lbs.) and Harry Lester (66 kg/145.5 lbs.) of the U.S. are scheduled to compete in Greco-Roman bouts against athletes from China.
Lester is scheduled to meet 2006 World champion Li Yanyan of China, who won the World title last September in Guangzhou, China. Durlacher is scheduled to face Li Shujin of China, who competed in the 2005 World Championships but did not place in the top 10. The meet carries special meaning for Durlacher, who grew up in nearby Buffalo Grove, Ill., and was a two-time All-American for the University of Illinois.
“Obviously, I am real excited,” Durlacher said. “It is a homecoming for me to come and wrestle in front of friends and family. Some of my family and friends have not seen me compete in 10 years, since my college days. So it’s quite exciting for me to make that return home and wrestle at Welsh-Ryan Arena, where I have done battle numerous occasions in college wrestling, with the Wildcats and Illini going back and forth. I did not think I was making that return home. I am very excited to wrestle in front of my friends and family.”
Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann (63 kg/138.75 lbs.) and 2006 World Team member Mary Kelly (48 kg/105.5) of the U.S. are scheduled to compete in women’s freestyle matches against wrestlers from Canada. Kelly is from Mahomet, Ill., located just south of Chicago.
McMann is scheduled to face Megan Dolan of Canada. Dolan placed 13th in the 2006 World Championships. Kelly is scheduled to face Carol Huynh of Canada. Huynh is a past World silver medalist who placed fifth at the 2006 World Championships. Huynh beat Kelly two weeks ago in the finals of the Guelph Open in Canada. Kelly, who placed ninth in her World Championships debut last year, is 0-5 in her career against Huynh.
“This has been a really exciting season for me,” Kelly said. “(Huyhn) was fifth at the Worlds, and I haven’t beaten her yet. I’m a little bit nervous wrestling her in front of the home crowd. My mom, dad and brother will be there. My dad is the coach at McMurray College and he is bringing his team up to the meet also. I don’t get to go home very often, especially to wrestle. I am excited to see some old friends and family and teammates who are coming to watch. It should be fun.”
Tickets to the event are free. In order to gain admittance to McGaw Hall/Welsh-Ryan Arena, fans must call the ticketing number and reserve their complimentary ticket. For further information and tickets, contact Kate Cox at 866-860-3234 or contact: chicagocuptickets@jtpr.com
The event is sponsored by USA Wrestling in alliance with World Sports Chicago, the group that is bidding to host the 2016 Olympics.
CHICAGO CUP – USA VS. RUSSIA DUAL MEET
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Wrestling: Montrealers win six
1/5/07
Montreal wrestlers earned six first-place finishes at the University of Western Ontario Open in London, Ont. during the weekend. Concordia's Tyler Marghetis, Patrick Okpalugo, and women's wrestler Hana Askren topped their weight classes, as did Vanier College's David Tremblay. Nick Gkaeni and Martine du Grenier of the Montreal YMHA club also took top spots.
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Americas boys win district 4 wrestling title
By Bret Bloomquist / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 02/04/2007 12:00:00 AM MST
As the District 4 boys wrestling championships wound down, Americas coach Ken Jury said he wasn't sure if his TrailBlazers had enough points to win a fifth consecutive title.
As it turns out, nine first places in the 15 divisions, along with two seconds and a pair of thirds, was quite enough.
"This validates what we've been doing all year," Jury said. "These kids have been with me four years, they've been part of the last three championships and they came together and had a great year. We're excited to be going to regionals."
In the girls meet, Socorro won its second consecutive crown, winning six of the 10 weight divisions to Montwood's three.
"This year was more about the team," Socorro coach Rene Barrera said. "We've got some young girls, but everyone pulled together. Everybody wrestled hard. They are all pretty tough kids, and individually they are pretty good."
The girls wrestlers of the meet were Socorro's Brittany Gamboa, who won the 110-pound division, and Alexandria Dougherty of Montwood, who won the 138-pound
division.
On the boys side, Americas was dominant, scoring 247 points to Montwood's 187å, though the Blazers didn't have a wrestler of the meet. Those honors went to Montwood's Cameron McBride (152-pound division) and Jesus Urbina (119).
One of Americas' seniors who added to his collection of hardware was 145-pounder Alex Alvarez, who won his second consecutive district title.
"This is my last year, and it's perfect," he said. "This is all we could ask for. This being my last year, it makes it that much better."
Americas and Montwood combined to win all but two of the 15 classes. El Dorado had eight third places to finish third in the boys division, followed by Fabens, Socorro and San Elizario. El Dorado was third in the girls division.
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Tigers place fourth in district wrestling meet
Eagle Staff Report 2/5/07
KILLEEN -
For the Tiger women, Katy Brown advanced to the San Antonio regional after finishing second in her class by winning three of her four matches. Stephanie Adams (118) won two of three matches to finish third.
The regional tournament is Saturday and Sunday in San Antonio.
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Mercury News 1/31/07
Sport: Wrestling.
Weight: 122. Class: Freshman.
Accomplishment: Childs was dominating in winning the California Girls Invitational wrestling tournament in Hanford on Saturday, scoring a fall against Ashley Matthews of Canyon High (Canyon Country) in the third period of their title match. Childs went 5-0 in the tournament with four pins and is 25-1 with 20 pins against girls this season. ``Haylee is good on her feet and ferocious on top,'' Coach Greg Stevens said. ``Her best attribute is her conditioning. When her matches get to the third period, she wears her opponent down and gets the pin.'' Childs works out daily with the Falcons boys and is expected to drop to 112 pounds and wrestle for the boys team in league finals.
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1/30/07
The Central Coast Section was well-represented Saturday in the California Girls Invitational at Hanford West High School.
Although not sanctioned by the California Interscholastic Federation, the competition is considered an unofficial girls state tournament. More than 300 wrestlers competed, making this the biggest all-girls tournament in California.
Scotts Valley freshman Haylee Childs (122 pounds) and Terra Nova's Marina Piccolotti (142) won their weight classes. Oak Grove junior Michelle Jimenez finished second at 108 pounds, losing 12-5 to West Covina's Samantha Lopez, ranked second nationally.
``It's starting to build a lot -- the stands were packed and it was a great atmosphere,'' said Jimenez, who plans to drop to 103 pounds to compete against the boys as the Eagles prepare for the Blossom Valley Athletic League tournament.
``I like wrestling against the boys more because I want to prove to them that I have good technique and am just as tough as they are,'' she said.
Taking third place were Santa Teresa' Alexsandra Sanchez (132) and Live Oak's Moriah Fernandez (138). Oak Grove's Cindy Pacheco (98) and Milpitas' Carolyn Nguyen (103) each placed fourth.
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California Girls State Rankings 2005-2006
2006 - 2007 State Rankings - Updated 1/21/07
1. Vallejo
2. Hogan
3. South Hills
4. San Leandro
5. Sacramento
6. Castro Valley
7. West Covina
8. Terra Nova
9. Pittsburg
10. Righetti
2006 - 2007 State Rankings - Updated 1/29/07
98 lbs
1st Maria Henriquez - Northview 12th
2nd Aracelli Olea - Farmersville 10th
3rd Mary Jane Fernandez - Vallejo 10th
4th Cindy Pacheco - Oak Grove 12th
5th Claudean Panganoran - San Leandro 12th
6th Loreal Cervantes - West Covina 10th
7th Christine Alcantara - Hogan 10th
8th Sabrina Ross - Vallejo 10th
103 lbs
1st Victoria Anthony - Marina 10th
2nd Jennifer Fernandez - Vallejo 11th
3rd Krystalle Alcantara - Hogan 12th
4th Carolyn Nguyen - Milpitas 11th
5th Jazmine Medina - Diamond Ranch 11th
6th Vanessa Trujilo - North Torrence 10th
7th Sarina Nieves - Elk Grove 9th
8th Kayla Matsuda - James Lick 10th
108 lbs
1st Samantha Lopez - West Covina 10th
2nd Michelle Jimenez - Oak Grove 11th
3rd Jazzy Green - Santa Monica 12th
4th Briona Hendren - Rancho Cotati 11th
5th Sandra Garcia - James Lick 12th
6th Nathasia Agtarap - Fairfield 12th
7th Jessica Griffin - Montgomery 10th
8th Lakita Castillo - Pacifica 12th
114 lbs
1st Gabrielle Solis - Castro Valley 12th
2nd Krystian Johnson - Great Oaks 11th
3rd Jennifer Avelino - Vallejo 11th
4th Bernara Moore - South Hills 11th
5th Jacquelyn Davis - Santa Rosa 12th
6th Amber Rowe - Hamilton 11th
7th Amy Redhorse - Sacramento 12th
8th Lyanna Osier - Oxnard 9th
118 lbs
1st Trinity Plessinger - Yucca Valley 12th
2nd Katrina Perez - Buhach Colony 9th
3rd Nicole Villa - Gladstone 11th
4th Lauren Neves - Amador Valley 12th
5th Carissa Reynolds - Trinity 11th
6th Fanchon Jones - Pittsburg 11th
7th Michelle Umezu - San Leandro 11th
8th Megan Wiles - Etna Union 11th
122 lbs
1st Haylee Childs - Scotts Valley 9th
2nd Ashley Matthews - Canyon 9th
3rd Justine Neves - Hanford 10th
4th Lindsey Noble - Torrence 12th
5th Rebecca Polich - Agoura 12th
6th Jenette Muhar - Rialto 11th
7th Samantha Elskamp - Gladstone 11th
8th Britanni Romero - Pittsburg 10th
126 lbs
1st Christina Hernandez - Oceanside 12th
2nd Rebeca Riberio - Concord 12th
3rd Mahriah Johnson - Great Oak 10th
4th McKenna Thayn - College Park 12th
5th Misha Furniss - Portola 12th
6th Samantha Stych - Oxnard 12th
7th Jocelyn Havel - Terra Linda 11th
8th Mae Anne Puso - Luther Burbank 11th
132 lbs
1st Samantha Phillips - Manteca 12th
2nd Omega Walters - West Covina 12th
3rd Alexandra Sanchez - Santa Teresa 11th
4th Lauren Thompson - Torrey Pines 9th
5th Kayla Garza - Los Banos 11th
6th Marcela Games - Hogan 12th
7th Tiffany Villareal - San Leandro 10th
8th Melissa Best - Rightetti 11th
138 lbs
1st Angie Miller - Vallejo 11th
2nd Jade Anderson - Royal 12th
3rd Moriah Fernandez - Live Oak 11th
4th Hannah Alojado - Valencia 12th
5th Jami Brenson - Trinity 11th
6th Gabrielle Corona - Hanford West 11th
7th Holly Thein - Paradise 10th
8th Amberly Safreno - Will C. Wood 12th
146 lbs
1st Marina Piccolotti - Terra Nova 12th
2nd Natalie Bierwith - Monte Vista 12th
3rd Megan Agajanian - Louisville 12th
4th Brittney David - Liberty 9th
5th Monique Sanchez - West Covina 12th
6th Loren Ramos - South Hills 9th
7th Rebecca Hofmann - La Serna 12th
8th Toffany Leon - Pacifica 10th
154 lbs
1st Teri Milkoff - South El Monte 12th
2nd Monica Gonzalez - Hogan 11th
3rd Katrina Wilborn - Helix Charter 12th
4th Rachel Whyte - San Leandro 12th
5th Beth Bamberger - Ygnacio Valley 12th
6th Daniella Castillo - Fairfield 12th
7th Jennifer Steele - Vallejo 10th
8th Erica Sedivy - Sacramento 12th
165 lbs
1st Maia Matalon - Albany 12th
2nd Alex Jacobo - South Hills 11th
3rd Stevie Ratto - San Leandro 12th
4th Isabel Becerra - Farmersville 12th
5th Sheralle Rhines - Sacramento 10th
6th Michi Stokes - Rio Mesa 10th
7th Deidre Burson - Righetti 11th
8th Sara Aguilera - Edison
189 lbs
1st Paloma Basulto - Arroyo Grande 11th
2nd Amber Flyod - Rialto 12th
3rd Angela Vyborny - Del Campo 10th
4th Kylee Inman - Murriet Valley 11th
5th Matril Ford - Sacramento 12th
6th Kristen Ramirez - Danair 12th
7th Summer DeCourse-Tafoya - South Hills 11th
8th Brittany Braguine - Terra Nova 10th
235 lbs
1st Jessica Klever - Castro Valley 12th
2nd Sonia Peraza - Azusa 12th
3rd Kristen Esterheld - Redwood 12th
4th Jamilla McBride - Inderkum 10th
5th Ebony Berry - Sacramento 10th
6th Stephanie Rodriguez - Salinas 12th
7th Norma Garcia - Hanford West 10th
8th Samantha Salwasser - Salinas 9th
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Hanford West High School
January 26th And 27th, 2007
Weight: 98
1st: Maria Henriquez, Northview 12 5- 0
2nd: Araceli Olea, Farmersville 10 3- 1
3rd: Mary Jane Fernandez, Vallejo 10 5- 1
4th: Cindy Pacheco, Oak Grove 12 4- 2
5th: Claudean Panganoran, San Leandro 12 4- 2
6th: Loreal Cervantes, West Covina 10 3- 3
7th: Christine Alcantara, Hogan 10 3- 2
8th: Sabrina Ross, Vallejo 10 3- 3
Weight: 103
1st: Victoria Anthony, Marina 10 5- 0
2nd: Jennifer Fernandez, Vallejo 11 3- 1
3rd: Krystalle Alcantara, Hogan 12 5- 1
4th: Carolyn Nguyen, Milpitas 11 5- 2
5th: Jazmine Medina, Diamond Ranch 11 3- 2
6th: Vanessa Trujilo, North Torrence 3- 3
7th: Sarina Nieves, Elk Grove 9 5- 2
8th: Kayla Matsuda, James Lick 10 3- 3
Weight: 108
1st: Samantha Lopez, West Covina 10 5- 0
2nd: Michelle Jimenez, Oak Grove 11 4- 1
3rd: Jazzy Green, Santa Monica 12 4- 1
4th: Briona Hendren, Rancho Cotati 11 4- 2
5th: Sandra Garcia, James Lick 12 4- 2
6th: Nathasia Agtarap, Fairfield 12 3- 3
7th: Jessica Griffin, Montgomery 10 4- 2
8th: Lakita Castillo, Pacifica 12 3- 3
Weight: 114
1st: Gabrielle Solis, Castro Valley 12 5- 0
2nd: Krystian Johnson, Great Oak 11 4- 1
3rd: Jennifer Avelino, Vallejo 11 6- 1
4th: Bernara Moore, South Hills 11 3- 2
5th: Jacquelyn Davis, Santa Rosa 12 5- 2
6th: Amber Rowe, Hamilton 11 3- 3
7th: Amy Redhorse, Sacramento 12 4- 2
8th: Lyanna Osier, Oxnard 9 4- 3
Weight: 118
1st: Trinity Plessinger, Yucca Valley 12 4- 0
2nd: Katrina Perez, Buhach Colony 9 3- 1
3rd: Nicole Villa, Gladstone 11 5- 1
4th: Lauren Neves, Amador Valley 12 4- 2
5th: Carissa Reynolds, Trinity 11 4- 2
6th: Fachon Jones, Pittsburgh 11 5- 3
7th: Michelle Umezu, San Leandro 11 3- 2
8th: Megan Wiles, Etna 11 3- 3
Weight: 122
1st: Haylee Childs, Scotts Valley 9 5- 0
2nd: Ashley Matthews, Canyon 9 4- 1
3rd: Justine Neves, Hanford 10 6- 1
4th: Lindsey Noble, Torrence 12 4- 2
5th: Rebecca Polich, Agoura 12 4- 2
6th: Jenette Muhar, Rialto 11 3- 3
7th: Samantha Elskamp, Gladstone 11 3- 2
8th: Britanni Romero, Pittsburgh 10 2- 3
Weight: 126
1st: Christina Hernandez, Oceanside 12 4- 0
2nd: Rebeca Riberio, Concord 12 4- 1
3rd: Mahriah Johnson, Great Oak 10 6- 1
4th: McKenna Thayn, College Park 11 3- 2
5th: Misha Furniss, Portola 12 4- 2
6th: Samantha Stych, Oxnard 12 3- 3
7th: Jocelyn Havel, Terra Linda 11 4- 2
8th: Mae Anne Puso, Luther Burbank 11 2- 3
Weight: 132
1st: Samantha Phillips, Manteca 5- 0
2nd: Omega Walters, West Covina 12 4- 1
3rd: Alexandra Sanchez, Santa Theresa 11 4- 1
4th: Lauren Thompson, Torrey Pines 9 4- 2
5th: Kayla Garza, Los Banos 11 5- 2
6th: Marcela Games, Hogan 12 4- 3
7th: Tiffany Villareal, San Leandro 10 4- 2
8th: Melissa Best, Righetti 11 4- 3
Weight: 138
1st: Angie Miller, Vallejo 11 4- 0
2nd: Jade Anderson, Royal 12 3- 1
3rd: Morian Fernandez, Live Oak 11 4- 1
4th: Hannah Alojado, Valencia 3- 2
5th: Jami Brenson, Trinity 11 5- 2
6th: Gabrielle Corona, Hanford West 11 3- 3
7th: Holly Thein, Paradise 10 4- 2
8th: Amberly Safreno, Will C. Wood 12 2- 3
Weight: 146
1st: Marina Piccolotti, Terra Nova 12 4- 0
2nd: Natalie Bierwith, Monte Vista 12 3- 1
3rd: Megan Agajanian, Louisville 12 4- 1
4th: Brittney David, Liberty 9 3- 2
5th: Monique Sanchez, West Covina 12 4- 2
6th: Loren Ramos, South Hills 10 3- 3
7th: Rebecca Hofmann, La Serna 12 2- 2
8th: Tiffany Leon, Pacifica 10 2- 3
Weight: 154
1st: Teri Milkoff, South El Monte 12 4- 0
2nd: Monica Gonzalez, Hogan 11 3- 1
3rd: Katrina Wilborn, Helix Charter 12 4- 1
4th: Rachel White, San Leandro 12 3- 2
5th: Beth Bamberger, Ygnacio Valley 4- 2
6th: Daniella Castillo, Fairfield 12 3- 3
7th: Jennifer Steele, Vallejo 10 3- 2
8th: Erica Sedivy, Sacramento 12 2- 3
Weight: 165
1st: Maia Matalon, Albany 12 3- 0
2nd: Alex Jacobo, South Hills 11 2- 1
3rd: Stevie Ratto, San Leandro 12 4- 1
4th: Isabel Becerra, Farmersville 12 3- 2
5th: Sherrale Rhines, Sacramento 10 2- 2
6th: Michi Stoke, Rio Mesa 1- 2
7th: Deidre Burson, Righetti 11 2- 2
8th: Sara Aguilera, Edison 1- 3
Weight: 189
1st: Paloma Basulto, Arroyo Grande 11 3- 0
2nd: Amber Floyd, Rialto 12 3- 1
3rd: Angela Vyborny, DelCampo 3- 1
4th: Kylee Inman, Murriet Valley 11 3- 2
5th: Matril Ford, Sacramento 12 3- 2
6th: Kristen Ramirez, Denair 12 3- 3
7th: Summer DeCourse-Tafoya, South Hills 11 3- 2
8th: Brittany Braguine, Terra Nova 10 2- 3
Weight: 235
1st: Jessica Klever, Castro Valley 12 4- 0
2nd: Sonia Peraza, Azusa 12 3- 1
3rd: Kristen Esterheld, Redwood 12 4- 1
4th: Jamilla McBride, Inderkum 10 4- 2
5th: Ebony Berry, Sacramento 12 4- 2
6th: Stephanie Rodriguez, Salinas 12 2- 3
7th: Norma Garcia, Hanford West 10 3- 2
8th: Samantha Salwasser, Salinas 9 2- 3