News Page

National prominence
Local wrestlers advance at USGWA championships

By DAN NIED/Times-Herald sports writer
Article Launched: 04/01/2007 08:35:42 AM PDT

LIVONIA, MICH. - Two area girls wrestlers are already All-Americans.
One who expected to contend for a national title bowed out in only two matches and a pair of sisters battled at the end of the day in an elimination match.

Yup, the first day of the United States Girls Wrestling Association National Championships was plenty eventful for competitors from Vallejo High and Hogan High.

At Churchill High School in the Detroit suburb of Livonia, Hogan's Krystalle Alcantara went 3-0 at 100 pounds and Vallejo's Angie Miller (138) went 2-0 to reach the semifinals and earn chances at national titles today. Alcantara and Miller are assured of being named All-Americans, since the honor goes to the top six in each weight class and they can finish no lower.

Meanwhile, Hogan's Monica Gonzalez (152), who finished seventh in the tournament last year, was upset twice early on, losing her first match on a 9-8 decision to West Virginia's Danielle Cox and getting pinned in the second period by Sandy Speck of Arizona. Gonzalez headed into the tournament ranked sixth in the nation and with a realistic chance to win the national title.

At the end of the day, Vallejo sisters Jennifer and Mary Jane Fernandez had to wrestle in an elimination

match in the consolation bracket at 100 pounds. Jennifer, ranked ninth nationally, got a lethargic 6-4 win over her sister in a match that might as well have taken place in the Vallejo High wrestling room, where the pair often practice against each other.
Before the match, the Vallejo coaching staff joked that the loser would have to do a month's worth of dishes. That work goes to Mary Jane, who fought hard, but fell to Jennifer. Mary Jane went 2-2 on the day while Jennifer went 3-1.

"She didn't really want it as bad," Jennifer Fernandez said. "And I was kind of tired."

Said Mary Jane: "We had to go a little faster because she was kind of holding on pretty tight."

Vallejo's other representative, Jennifer Avelino, won her first match of the day, but was eliminated after losing her next two.

Hogan's Christine Alcantara went 0-2, while Samantha Hoover and Alice Hoover also bowed out early. Jessica Ortiz, who graduated from Hogan last year, took first in freestyle, going 2-0, and will compete in the collegiate division today. Ortiz's 10-year old sister Mariah, lost both of her matches.

But the day belonged to Miller and Krystalle Alcantara. Miller, who is ranked fifth in the USGWA national poll, was seeded fourth and made the most of it. After receiving a bye in the first round, she pinned Michigan's Missy Becker in the second round and then pinned Idaho's Anneliese DeAragon in the quarterfinals.

"She was Angie-like in her approach," Minahen said. "Very physical. Very offensive, dominating on top. She just wrestled the way Angie can wrestle."

Miller finds herself two wins away from the national title but, predictably, the competition is about to stiffen. Miller's first match today comes against No. 1 seed Brittany Woodall, from West Virginia. Woodall is ranked second in the nation at 130 pounds, but is wrestling up a weight class. Miller welcomes the competition.

"I had a challenge the last two (matches)," Miller said. "But I am hoping I have more of a challenge, you know?"

Alcantara made her first appearance at the national meet. Her path to the semifinals included a pin over Stephanie Waters of Illinois in the first round, a 9-7 win over Helen Timmons of Texas in the second round and a 4-3 win over Lene Wood in the quarterfinals.

Against Wood, Alcantara suffered a bloody nose early and was penalized twice for stalling, giving Wood two points. Wood, however, was also penalized once for stalling, and Alcantara capitalized with the 1-point win. Alcantara controlled the match from the start.

"I went in cocky," she said. "I know I could have done better. But it's wonderful to be this far."

Gonzalez's day came to an abrupt end with the loss to Speck. The junior came to the tournament thinking national championship, but wasn't able to get going.

"I just didn't go out there as myself," Gonzalez said. "I was kind of angry. The first match just threw me off guard."

Because of a scheduling quirk in which the second-round matches took place almost three hours before they were scheduled, Gonzalez wasn't fully warmed up to take on Speck. Gonzalez was also nursing a recent shoulder injury, which may have limited her effectiveness.

"It's a tough tournament," said Hogan coach Ric Manibusan. "I can't say I am disappointed, but I was hoping. She wasn't prepared. It's unfortunate because (Monica) is a better wrestler. But she got caught on her back."

While Gonzalez's early departure was shocking, Miller and Alcantara survive in the championship bracket today.

So the second day of the USGWA National Championships has the potential to be eventful, too.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Girls grapple with greatness
Female wrestlers pin stereotypes, and boys, as they head to national championships

March 31, 2007
BY LANDON JOHNSTON Journal Staff

SAM GREEN/JOURNAL Sarah Miller takes down Katy O’Camb at practice Wednesday evening in the Montezuma-Cortez High School wrestling room. Three local wrestlers will compete today and Sunday in the 10th Annual U.S. Girls Wrestling Association National Championships in Michigan. Katy O’Camb, left, Ellen Koppenhafer and Sarah Miller are competing today in the national wrestling tournament in Michigan. Ellen Koppenhafer finds herself in a near fall position Wednesday at practice with Sarah Miller.

When the 10th Annual United States Girls Wrestling Association National Championships begins today in Livonia, Mich., three local grapplers will be breaking new ground.

Cortez wrestlers Ellen Koppenhafer, 12, Sarah Miller, 14, and Katy O'Camb, 15, are the first females from this area to qualify for the national tournament, held today and Sunday at Livonia Churchill High School.

The three girls recently qualified for nationals after faring well at the Sixth Annual Colorado USGWA Girls Wrestling State Championships in Strasburg, Colo. Both Koppenhafer and Miller, who compete at the middle school level, captured state titles in their respective weight classes while O'Camb, a high school wrestler, was a runner-up.

Koppenhafer, who also won a state championship in 2006, competes in the 85.3-86.8-pound classification. Her parents, Thad and Katie, have organized fund-raising efforts for the girls' trip to Michigan.

"We've just had tremendous support," Katie said earlier this week.

"The support has been great," agreed Thad. "I think one of the main reasons is because this is something new, something different. People always like that."

The Koppenhafers said they've had about 20 local businesses help fund the trip. According to Thad, the estimated cost to send each girl to the tournament is around $750.

"We went over that a little," he said. "It ended up being more like $800. But it wasn't a problem with all of our sponsors."

Katie was also excited to announce she is scheduling a girls wrestling tournament next March in Cortez.

"Wouldn't that be something?" she asked. "Having an event right here in the Four Corners would do wonders for our local wrestlers."

Katie, whom Thad called the "sponsor-finder," said she plans to buy matching warmups and T-shirts to help bolster the girls' confidence at this weekend's tournament.

"There will be some teams there all decked out in matching gear," she said. "Sometimes that can be a little intimidating. Sometimes they think they've already lost because they don't have the clothes.

"We want to make sure the girls know they belong there."

That won't be a problem for Miller, who wrestled a mere three years before winning her first state title.

"I'm used to wrestling boys, so wrestling girls is no problem," said the Cortez Middle School eighth-grader.

"We're used to getting thrown around by the boys," added Koppenhafer.

All three girls wrestle with the local pee wee wrestling club, in which Thad serves as a volunteer coach.

"I've been involved with wrestling since I was 4 years old, and I've helped with the pee wees since we moved to Cortez five years ago," he said. "I have to say that these girls are some of the best young wrestlers I've been around."

Mark Cordova, who coaches wrestling in Strasburg and will serve as the Colorado team coach at nationals, said that, like the rest of the state, female wrestling has grown significantly in the Cortez area.

"Of the 12 girls I'm taking to Michigan, three are from Cortez," the coach said. "That's saying something."

More than 50 girls competed at the recent state tournament, held March 10 at Strasburg High School.

Cordova, who is also taking five wrestlers from Strasburg, said Colorado qualified twice the number of girls for nationals as last year.

"We finished 17th out of 32 states competing last year," he said. "And that was with six girls. This year we should do even better with 12."

O'Camb, who wrestled for Montezuma-Cortez High School this year as a freshman, qualified for nationals after taking second at state in the 119-124.4-pound class.

"What I like most about wrestling is that it's challenging and creates a sense of pride," she said. "I'm excited to compete at nationals because it will only help me get better."

Koppenhafer and Miller are equally excited. Though the girls participate in several other sports, when asked their favorite they replied in unison, "Wrestling!"

"It's hard. You put a lot into it," Miller said.

"I like beating the boys," added Koppenhafer.

The three wrestlers train almost year-round to compete in five tournaments. They said summer is the only real offseason.

"That's when we can finally eat what we want," Miller said.

Extreme measures are taken to make weight and stay competitive.

"We have to eat very healthy and exercise a lot to stay in shape," Koppenhafer said.

"The only thing we're allowed a lot of is water," Miller added. "We can drink as much of it as we want, but that's it."

When it comes to the prejudices some people have against female wrestlers, the Cortez grapplers are quick to point out that parents need to be more open.

"A lot of parents won't let their girls wrestle because they're afraid they're going to get hurt or something like that," O'Camb said. "I think that's sad."

"Stupid is more like it," chimed in Miller. "Wrestling gives girls a chance to prove they're just as good as boys. It gives us a chance to show them, and that's what we're going to do."

The wrestlers also wished to thank all of their sponsors and parents for their support.

"If it wasn't for my mom and dad, none of this would be possible," Koppenhafer said. "So I want to thank them."

-----------------------------------------------------------

Wrestling

The Arizona Republic
Apr. 2, 2007 12:00 AM

The High School Senior Nationals Wrestling Championship in Virginia Beach, Va., have not been very kind to Arizona.

Winslow's Enrique Vigil (103 pounds) was the only Arizonan of the 18 who made the trip to earn All-America status. Vigil, who went 46-0 last season in winning his second state title, finished third after making it to the semifinals.

Vigil wrestled in a 13-man bracket, the smallest of the tournament in which some weight classes used a 64-man bracket form. Some of the state's best individual talent - Safford's Justin Gaethje, Cottonwood Mingus' Tyler Chang and Mesa's Andy Jay - made the trip but struggled against the nation's best as California, New Jersey and Ohio rounded out the top three in the team standings.

None of the seniors at Tucson Sunnyside, considered the state's best program, made the trip because they were training for the Western Junior Regional Championships and Fila Junior World National Championship in Las Vegas this week.

The freshman, sophomore and junior national tournaments also were held this weekend. The only competitor from Arizona to earn All-America status was Safford freshman Ryak Finch, third at 103.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Wrestling with success
Goodrich girl just one of the boys when she hits the mat

GOODRICHTHE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITIONSunday, April 01, 2007

C.C. Weber whipped off her black hair net to let her shiny blond hair breathe, shook hands with her opponent and walked off the wrestling mat.

She was the only girl in a boys' world and almost everyone knew it. But that didn't matter to C.C. She'd lost a match.

Sitting on a staircase at The Palace of Auburn Hills, where the state tournament took place, the 16-year-old Goodrich High School sophomore twirled her hair to calm down. She didn't want to talk to anyone - not her brother (a three-time state champ), not her coach, not even her mom. Especially not the media.

"If I wrestle bad, I'll go away by myself (for) up to a half hour, maybe even longer," she explained later. "If I know I wrestled good and I lost, I'll be all right."

With her golden locks, winning smile and 5-foot frame, C.C. looks more like a cheerleader than a wrestler. But she can go head-to-head with any guy in her 103-pound weight class.

C.C. went on to win her second match at the state tournament last month, but lost her third. She's the first female wrestler from the Flint area to win a match at the state level. She's the sixth girl ever to qualify for the state tournament.

Michigan's only female state medalist was Amy Barrige of Martin, who finished seventh in 2004. The other female area state qualifier was Davison's Keristen LaBelle in 2000.

In the United States Girls Wrestling Association, C.C. is the third-ranked female high school wrestler in the 100-pound weight class.

But she's not resting on her laurels. No one's harder on C.C. than C.C.

"I'm kind of disappointed in myself," she said after the state tournament. "Making it there was cool. I was expecting to place. I'm disappointed that I didn't make my goal (which was to place)."

Goodrich wrestling coach Matt Turnbow calls her "a driven individual who has a great work ethic. Mentally, she plays tough."

Wrestling is the ultimate contact sport. Some people, including one Journal reader who commented in the paper's Talk Back section, think girls shouldn't be allowed to wrestle boys.

And there's always the sensitive issue of the male ego. How do boys feel about wrestling a girl, let alone losing to one?

Her teammates "wrestle her just like any other guy on the team," Turnbow said. "If they don't, she's going to kick their butt."

One of her teammates, Kyler Elsworth, said he's seen the reaction of boys who lose to C.C. "They take it pretty tough," said Kyler, who rooted for her from a box at The Palace.

"If I were a 103-pounder, I'd bump up to the next weight class," he added with a laugh.

When you're a girl in a boy's world, you get a lot of attention. But for C.C., that's a minus, not a plus.

"I hate the attention," she said. "I have to work hard to prove that I'm here for a purpose and that is to be a good wrestler and not a good girl wrestler."

C.C.'s had other unique hurdles to overcome.

At the recent state tournament, she had to weigh in an hour-and-a-half before everyone else. A female referee took her to a women's restroom to separate her from the boys.

"It made the boys mad," she said. "After I weighed in, I got to eat and drink. They were all looking at me. I was trying to hide. I felt really bad."

Last May, when she traveled with the Goodrich team to a national tournament in Chicago, she encountered an overtly sexist official.

"I had to weigh in, and there were a ton of guys, all in their underwear," she recalled. C.C. and her mom approached an official.

"He looked me up and down and said incredulously, 'You're wrestling in this tournament?,'" C.C. recalled. "He was extremely rude."

Her mother, Kim, asked a female athletic trainer to weigh C.C. After she won her first two matches, Kim tracked down the man who'd been discourteous and told him the good news.

Wrestling's not a hobby for C.C. It's her life.

C.C. and her brother, Mark, demonstrated athletic skills from a young age, Kim said. C.C. participated in Gymboree, tumbling and gymnastics.

She first tried wrestling when she was 7 years old. "I hated it so much (that) I'd cry before, after and during a match - even if I won," she recalled. "I quit after that."

Boredom set in as she watched Mark wrestle in match after match. "I went back to it (at age 10) and it clicked with me," she said. "It's been my life ever since."

To prepare for an event, C.C. has to "cut" weight, a trial for almost everyone in the sport. Her normal weight, she said, is between 112 and 115.

A vegetarian, C.C. usually gives up ice cream, pizza and other carbs. She drinks water and eats small meals for about a week.

"I don't have it nearly as rough as other wrestlers," she said. "My brother cuts about 20 pounds."

Before a match, C.C. tunes out the world with rap music on her iPod and paces. When boys try to flirt with her or ask for her phone number, she won't indulge them. "She stays focused," said her mother.

Kristi Garr, a friend and fellow wrestler at Goodrich, said competing with C.C. has made her a better wrestler.

They vie for the 103-pound spot on the varsity team during the season. Garr can't make varsity unless she beats C.C.

When C.C.'s not wrestling for the Goodrich team, she travels to women's tournaments around the country.

Last year, she won in the 95-pound weight class at two national competitions. That qualified her to be a funded athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

"I'm not sure if I'm going to wrestle on a girls team in college or train for the Olympics," she said.

Is it less challenging to wrestle with girls?

"Yes!" she said emphatically. "Some are really good. (But) the majority aren't nearly as tough as the guys."

She's not pinning her hopes on greener pastures just yet. The prospect of placing in the state tournament still looms in the near future. "I have two more years," she said. "I want to place pretty high."

Cauliflower ears, broken noses and bad knees go with the territory, but the fear of injuries doesn't stop C.C. Sometimes her knees bother her. Once, she fractured a finger and wrestled the entire week afterward, her mom said.

When she's not on the mat, C.C. can be just as feminine as other girls her age.

"I'm a normal girl," she said. "I wear makeup, pants and skirts. I went to prom."

Like many teenagers, C.C. enjoys shopping, hanging out with her friends, bowling and eating out. She works out regularly at the Genesys Athletic Club. In school, she maintains A and B grades, with "the occasional C," she said.

Wrestling is a family affair for the Webers.

"That's all we talk about at family get-togethers," C.C. said.

Besides brother Mark, there's her cousin, Ken Sir-ignano, who's the assistant wrestling coach at Goodrich High. Another cousin, Aaron Simpson, is an assistant wrestling coach at Arizona State University.

Mom, a nurse, offers her medical expertise to the Goodrich High team. C.C.'s aunt, Crystal Sirignano of Grand Blanc, is a personal trainer who works with the team. (C.C.'s named after her aunt Crystal and her grandmother Carol).

"After they make their weight, they come and eat at John's Steak House (owned by her husband, D.J.)," Crystal said.

Crystal admits she "gets nervous" watching C.C. wrestle.

"I tell her to go out for the dance team (instead of wrestling)," Crystal said. Her response? "No way."

C.C. and her mom (her parents are divorced) are animal lovers. They have three cats and three dogs. One is a mixed terrier named Rocky.

The symbolism is not lost on her mom.

C.C. saw the most recent "Rocky" film and loved it, Kim said. "It was very inspirational for her."

-----------------------------------------------------

Locals to wrestle nation's best
Vallejo, Hogan contingents set for national tournament

By DAN NIED/Times-Herald sports writer
Article Launched: 03/31/2007 08:04:54 AM PDT

LIVONIA, Mich. - The local rivalries might not get thrown out the window this weekend, but female wrestlers from Hogan High and Vallejo High are on the same team at the United State Girls Wrestling Association national championships at Churchill High in Livonia, Mich.
The open tournament wrestling event, which held weigh-ins Friday and begins today, pits state against state. That explains why Hogan is bringing a small army of wrestlers while Vallejo has its four best.

Each school hopes to return with a national champion.

Hogan has high hopes for 154-pounder Monica Gonzalez, a former state champion ranked No. 6 at 154 pounds in the USGWA national ranking.

"I'm going to try to take it," Gonzalez said.

Meanwhile, Vallejo's most likely champion is Angie Miller, the defending state champion who is No. 5 at 144 pounds in the USGA ranking.

"Angie Miller probably has the best shot," said Vallejo coach Mike Minahen. "You just never know what stud girls will be there. Our goal is to come back with four All-Americans."

Vallejo's other wrestlers are 100-poun-ders Mary Jane and Jennifer Fernandez. Jennifer is ranked ninth nationally at 105 pounds, but will drop to 100 this weekend.

Jennifer Avelino will take a break from swimming to compete, but Minahen openly wonders if the break from wrestling will hurt her.
"She was really on fire," Minahen said. "She is the one I am a little less optimistic about. But she is a pinner, and she is very tough on top and very tough on her feet. She pinned some girls at the state meet that she had no business pinning."

Besides Gonzalez, Hogan's main players are the Alcantara sisters - Christine and Krystalle - at 100 pounds. Christine is No. 11 nationally. Along with the Fernandez duo, the Vallejo area will be well represented at the lowest weight class, which also happens to be one of the toughest.

Hogan's contingent features three pairs of sisters. Besides the Alcantaras, Hogan brought high schoolers Alice and Samantha Hoover and Jessica Ortiz, who will wrestle in the college division and 10-year old Samantha Ortiz, who will wrestle in the middle-school division.

"It is so cool because we are bringing three pairs of sisters back to nationals," said Hogan coach Ric Manibusen.

The prospects of wrestling the nation's best might be intimidating to the wrestlers. But historically, California has been the dominant state at the national meet.

"Our girls are as good as anyone in the state," Minahen said. "If they can compete well in California they can compete well in nationals because no one is as tough as California."

E-mail Dan Nied at nied@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6839.

--------------------------------------------------

10th Annual USGWA National Championships

Livonia Churchill High School, Livonia, Michigan
Saturday & Sunday, March 31-April 1, 2007

High School Age Division:

The Championship Finals:

100 - Krystalle Alcantara (Vallejo, CA) dec. Kristi Garr (Goodrich, MI) 6-4.
105 - Amy Whitbeck (Duanesburg, NY) dec. Camie Yeik (Bremerton, WA) 3-1.
110 - Nicole Woody (Odenton, MD) dec. Jessica Teter (Parkersburg, WV) 3-2.
114 - Sarah Dorsay (South Brunswick, NJ) pinned Tina Linhsamout (San Jose, CA) 5:31.
118 - Joey Miller (Woodward, OK) pinned Cianah Hee (Hauula, HI) 0:59.
122 - Beth Johnson (Garden City, KS) tech.fall Andi Eisenhower (Sanford, ME) 17-2 (2:53).
126 - Erica Torres (Porterville, CA) dec. Christina Hernandez (Oceanside, CA) 7-4.
130 - Tatiana Padilla (LaVerne, CA) pinned Samantha Phillips (Manteca, CA) 1:19.
134 - Breisja Gallo (Kissimmee, FL) dec. Jenna Ahnen (Sparta, WI) 6-1.
138 - Veronica Carlson (Addison, IL) dec. Angie Miller (Vallejo, CA) 8-4 3OT.
144 - Kelsea Suchocki (Summit, NY) dec. Marina Piccolotti (Pacifica, CA) 11-6.
152 - Erin Clodgo (Marquette, MI) dec. Samantha Gorman (Allendale, MI) 7-3.
165 - Marina Lambert (Chesapeake, VA) dec. Carrie Clark (Cedar Park, TX) 4-2.
OVER 165 - Brittany Delgado (Fountain Inn, SC) pinned Jessica Deardorff (Mundelein, IL) 3:57.

Consolation Finals for 3rd:

100 - Hanna Martin (El Reno, OK) pinned Jennifer Fernandez (American Canyon, CA) 3:12.
105 - Victoria Anthony (Huntington Beach, CA) dec. Sarah Anderson (Schuylerville, NY) 6-5.
110 - Michelle Jimenez (San Jose, CA) dec. Emily Martin (Frisco, TX) 6-5.
114 - Jazzy Green (Santa Monica, CA) maj.dec. Janelle McSurley (Wilmington, OH) 15-1.
118 - Jessica Peasley (Scotts Valley, CA) dec. Trinity Plessinger (Yucca Valley, CA) 5-3.
122 - Danica Auna (Hauula, HI) pinned Katy Yoder (Beavercreek, OH) 0:51.)
126 - Rebeca Ribeiro (Bay Point, CA) dec. Ashley Johnson (Gibbon, MN) 6-0.
130 - Brienna Delgado (Fountain Inn, SC) forfeit over Lauren Thompson (Rancho Sante Fe, CA).
134 - Brittany Goebel (Lena, IL) dec. Aubrae Putnam (Anchorage, AK) 2-0.
138 - Shelby Shirley (Galion, OH) dec. Brittany Woodall (Buckhannon, WV) 3-2.
144 - Lindsey Brooks (Klein, TX) pinned Monique Dilliner (Kailua, HI) 2:57.
152 - Paige Rife (Marquette, MI) dec. Jessica Smith (Austintown, OH) 7-5.
165 - Frankie Curtis (Sabattus, ME) pinned Adele Kurt (Katy, TX) 3:39.
OVER 165 - Sarah Deardorff (Mundelein, IL) pinned Olivia Fatongia (Honolulu, HI) 2:27.

Consolation Finals for 5th:

100 - Anai Novoa (San Diego, CA) dec. Michelle Quiles (Sheridan, NY) 1-0.
105 - Priscilla Caldera (Imperial, CA) dec. Tiffany Sluik (Mason City, IA) 10-5.
110 - Andrea Hughes (Tucson, AZ) dec. Dyami Souza (Brooklyn, CT) 1-0.
114 - Haylee Childs (Scotts Valley, CA) dec. Regina Ward (Laken, KS) 2-1.
118 - Ericka Luster (Powder Springs, GA) dec. Logan Howard (Dewittville, NY) 7-2.
122 - Christina Cox (Ridgefield, WA) dec. Amber Miracle (Berlin, WI) 4-2.
126 - Ashley Larsen (Warsaw, MO) dec. Jennifer Peabody (Defiance, OH) 7-5.
130 - Jessica Kelvas (Putnam Valley, NY) dec. Brittany Dell (Ashtabula, OH) 8-2.
134 - Stephanie Geltmacher (Kaneohe, HI) dec. Alex Sanchez (San Jose, CA) 11-5.
138 - Shorna Brown (Kingston, NY) dec. Brittney Gadd (Mercer, PA) 6-1.
144 - Christen Paysse (Fullerton, CA) pinned Jade Anderson (Beverly Hills, CA) 1:25.
152 - Teri Milkoff (Los Angeles, CA) pinned Katie Crouch (Kissimmee, FL) 3:56.
165 - Maia Matalon (Albany, CA) pinned Stephanie Tucker (Flint, MI) 3:23.
Over 165 - Paloma Basulto (Oceano, CA) maj.dec. Angela Vyborny (Citrus Heights, CA) 9-0.

Consolation Finals for 7th:

100 - Jessica Bennett (Uncasville, CT) dec. Amy Bloom (Lebanon, OR) 2-0.
105 - Carla Watase (Honolulu, HI) forfeit over C.C. Weber (Goodrich, MI).
110 - Shana Prifte (Shoreham, NY) dec. Samantha Lopez (West Covina, CA) 7-3.
114 - Danette O\'Hara (Columbus, KS) dec. Elizabeth DeAngelo (Mebane, NC) 5-2.
118 - Tayler Frederiksen (Lakin, KS) forfeit over Kayla Bartosch (Triangle, VA).
122 - Heather Thompson (Schuylerville, NY) dec. Amber Mefford (Lodi, WI) 7-5.
126 - Emily Barber (Walsenburg, CO) pinned Samantha Stych (Oxnard, CA) 4:36.
130 - Cindy Kaffenberger (Grand Haven, MI) pinned Melissa Soderblom (Newton, IA) 1:58.
134 - Jolene Crook-Meyers (Covington, WA) dec. Alyx McChesney (Napa, CA) 7-6.
138 - Sarah Gendler (San Jose, CA) dec. Moriah Fernandez (Morgan Hill, CA) 9-5.
144 - Wrindy Shann (Sault Ste. Marie, MI) pinned Megan Agajanian (Moorpark, CA) 4:45.
152 - Amanda Soliai (Laie, HI) dec. Danielle Cox (St. Marys, WV) 5-4.
165 - Lauren Birks (Dallas, TX) pinned Ericka Rutt (Lincoln, NE) 3:37.
Over 165 - Lakia Henderson (Kissimmee, FL) pinned Amber Floyd (Rialto, CA) 1:49.

Consolation Finals for 9th:

100 - Lene Wood (Frisco, TX) dec. Carlene Sluberski (Fredonia, NY) 3-1.
105 - Gabby Henry (Columbus, OH) maj.dec. Maggie Petersen (Kewadin, MI) 10-0.
110 - Awbry Lowe (El Paso, TX) maj.dec. Lauren Clark-Johnson (Wake Forest, NC) 17-6.
114 - Chloe Ivanoff (Kodiak, AK) dec. Gabrielle Solis (Castro Valley, CA) 7-2.
118 - Sonya Lucatero (Susanville, CA) pinned Brittany Bertolani (Hampton, NH) 3:20.
122 - Phylicia Primeau (Wyandotte, MI) pinned Engy Mostafa (Toledo, OH) 4:22.
126 - Lisa Light (Ravenna, OH) dec. Misha Furniss (Portola, CA) 11-9.
130 - Calie Cutler (Gregory, MI) pinned Candi Chopick (Jersey Shore, PA) 1:29.
134 - McKenna Thaya (Pleasant Hill, CA) pinned Stephanie Marino (Middletown, CT) 1:42.
138 - Missy Becker (Howard City, MI) pinned Emilii Russell (Hendersonville, TN) 3:53.
144 - Jerricha Haller (Bend, OR) dec. Nikita Netjes (East Grand Rapids, MI) 9-6.
152 - Haley Slivensky (Hazel Park, MI) forfeit over Katrina Wilborn (San Diego, CA).
165 - Lindsey Poraczky (Schellsburg, PA) dec. Chermayne Etsitty (Kayenta, AZ) 8-4.
Over 165 - Audriana Pleas (Eagle River, AK) pinned Venus Barron (Katy, TX) 2:24.

Consolation Finals for 11th:

100 - Maria Henriquez (Baldwin Park, CA) dec. Lisa Anson (Colonie, NY) 6-5.
105 - Aaris Gruber (Milan, MI) pinned Michelle Canete (Kodiak, AK) 0:42.
110 - Angie Mayes (Las Vegas, NV) dec. Sandra Garcia (San Jose, CA) 5-2.
114 - Antonia Navejas (Covington, WA) dec. Jaimie Marchetti (Pacifica, CA) 4-0.
118 - Erica Dopp (Williamsburg, MI) forfeit over Katarina Perez (Merced, CA).
122 - Jenette Muhar (San Bernardino, CA) pinned Ashley Mathews (Anaheim Hills, CA) 4:32.
126 - Catherine Kiyokawa (Parkdale, OR) dec. Angelique Smith (Broadview, IL) 4-0.
130 - Chelsea Grasseschi (Castro Valley, CA) forfeit over Erin Ah Sue (Laie, HI).
134 - Chandra Engel (McPherson, KS) pinned Chelsea Yoder (Beavercreek, OH) 1:39.
138 - Aaryn Disotelle (Hockley, TX) forfeit over Anneliese DeAragon (Sandpoint, ID).
144 - Shannon McDaniel (Indian Valley, VA) forfeit over Ashley Hebert (Rose City, MI).
152 - Hanna Severy (Litchfield, ME) forfeit over Helen Delpopolo (Westfield, NJ).
165 - Gladys Barrientos (DeSoto, TX) forfeit over Michi Stoke (Oxnard, CA).
OVER 165 - Arynn Rabas (Lena, WI) maj.dec. Heather Miracle (Berlin, WI) 12-3.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lee beats Marano at Missouri Valley Women’s Showcase

Michelle Thilges USA Wrestling
03/30/2007

The annual Missouri Valley Women’s Showcase was held last weekend, and featured several athletes who will be competing next week at the U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas, Nev., April 5-6.

Stephany Lee (Honolulu, Hawaii/Missouri Valley College) won the Outstanding Wrestler award for the Senior division. Lee, who competes at 72 kg/158.5 lbs., beat two-time World champion Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) in the finals, 0-1, 2-0, 1-0.

Both are returning from injury. Lee has not wrestled since the Sunkist International Open in October. Marano had surgery this fall and competed for the first time this season.

Missouri Valley College had five individual champions which included: Lee, Vanessa Nordstrom (44 kg/97 lbs.), Maika Watanabe (51 kg/112.25 lbs.), Courtney Martell (55 kg/121 lbs.) and Amberlee Ebert (63 kg/138.75 lbs.).

The USOEC program from Northern Michigan University had three individual champions which included: Alyssa Lampe (48 kg/105.5 lbs.), Shyla Iokia (59 kg/130 lbs.) and Jenna Pavlic (82 kg/180 lbs.).

The competition was held in a number of divisions. The Outstanding Wrestler in each division was:
• Senior: Stephany Lee (Missouri Valley College)
• Junior: Beth Johnson (Kan.)
• School Girl: Miranda Bennett (Mo.) and Stephany Simpson (Mo.)
• Novice: Brittany Farnsworth (Mo.)
• Midget: Alicia Meyer (Okla.)

Senior Event Results
44 kg/97 lbs.
1. Vanessa Nordstrom (Missouri Valley College)
2. Krista Camarillo (Missouri Valley College)

Finals
Vanessa Nordstrom (MVC) dec. Krista Camarillo (MVC), 2-0, 3-6, 4-1

48kg/105.5 lbs.
1. Alyssa Lampe (USOEC)
2. Tanya Miyasaki (Missiouri Valley College)
3. Angelee Homma (Missouri Valley College)
4. Rachel Bernardes (U.S. Air Force)
5. Vanessa Nordstrom (Missouri Valley College)
6. Tabithia Ramsey (Missouri Valley College

Finals
Alyssa Lampe (USOEC) dec. Tanya Miyasaki (MVC), 2-0, 3-6, 4-1

Consolation Final
Angelee Homma (MVC) dec. Rachel Bernardes (U.S. Air Force), 3-1, 1-1

Consolation Semifinal
Angelee Homma (MVC) dec. Tabithia Ramsey (MVC), inj. def.
Rachel Bernardes (U.S. Air Force0 dec. Vanessa Nordstrom (MVC), 6-0, 7-1

Semifinal
Tanya Miyasaki (MVC) dec. Rachel Bernardes (U.S. Air Force), 3-0, 1-0
Alyssa Lampe (USOEC) dec. Tabithia Ramsey (MVC), 6-0, inj. def.

Consolation Round 1
Vanessa Nordstrom (MVC) dec. Krista Camarillo (MVC), 2-0, 3-6, 4-1

Round 1
Tanya Miyasaki (MVC) tech. Angelee Homma (MVC), 6-0, 6-0
Tabithia Ramsey (MVC) dec. Vanessa Nordstrom (MVC), 7-0, 3-0
Alyssa Lampe (USOEC) pin Krista Camarillo (MVC), 0:17

51 kg/112.25 lbs.
1. Maika Watanabe (Missouri Valley College)
2. Christina Varland (Missouri Valley College)
3. Mary Shamblin (Missouri Valley College)
4. Shona Colbert (Missouri Valley College0

Round 1
Maika Watanabe (MVC) dec. Christina Varland (MVC), 1-0, 5-0
Mary Shamblin (MVC) pin Shona Colbert (MVC), 0-3, 1:30

Round 2
Maika Watanabe (MVC) pin Shona Colbert (MVC), 8-0, 1:12
Christina Varland (MVC) pin Mary Shamblin (MVC), 1:52

Round 3
Christina Varland (MVC) pin Shona Colbert (MVC), 0:37
Maika Watanabe (MVC) pin Mary Shamblin (MVC), 0:58

55 kg/121 lbs.
1. Courtney Martell (Missouri Valley College)
2. Charae Pascua (USOEC)
3. Whitney Conder (USOEC)
4. Beth Johnson (KS Crusaders)
5. Catie Beatty (Cumberland)
6. Amanda Breezley (USOEC)

Finals
Courtney Martell (MVC), pin Charae Pascua (USOEC)

Consolation Finals
Whitney Conder (USOEC) dec. Beth Johnson (KS Crusaders), 3-0, 3-0
Catie Beatty (Cumberland) dec. Amanda Breezley (USOEC), 2-0, 3-0

Consolation Semifinals
Beth Johnson (KS Crusaders) dec. Catie Beatty (Cumberland), 2-1, 4-2
Whitney Conder (USOEC) dec. Amanda Breezley (USOEC), 2-0, 4-0

Semifinals
Courtney Martell (MVC)dec. Whitney Conder (USOEC), 3-0, 0-4, 3-0
Charae pacua (USOEC) dec Beth Johnson (KS Crusaders), 4-3, 7-3

Round 1
Courtney Martell (MVC) pin Catie Beatty (Cumberland), 2-0, 0:55
Beth Johnson (KS Crusaders) pin Amanda Breezley (USOEC), 3-0, 0:39

59 kg/130 lbs.
1. Shyla Iokia (USOEC)
2. Erika Chew (Missouri Valley College)
3. Shamaine Danner (Missouri Valley College)
4. Samantha Fee (Missouri Valley College)
5. Shannon Reeves (Cumberlands)
6. Karen Howe (Missouri Valley College)

Finals
Shyla Iokia (USOEC) dec. Erika Chew (MVC), 1-1, 1-1, 2-0

Consolation Semifinals
Shamaine Danner (MVC) dec. Samantha Fee (MVC), 4-4, 2-1
Shannon Reeves (Cumberlands) won by inj def over Karen Howe (MVC)

Consolation Semifinals
Shamine Danner (MVC) pin Karen Howe (MVC), 3-4, 5-4, 1:11)
Samantha Fee (MVC) dec. Shannon Reeves (Cumberlands), 4-0, 5-0

Semifinals
Erika Chew (MVC) dec. Shamaine Danner (MVC) 2-1, 4-2
Samantha Fee (MVC) dec. Shyla Iokia (USOEC), 1-1, 1-0

Consolation Round 2
Karen Howe (MVC) pin Garcia, 3-1, 0:33
Shannon Reeves (Cumberlands) dec. Hubbard, 1-1, 1-5, 4-3

Round 2
Erika Chew (MVC) dec. Shannon Reeves (Cumberlands), 2-0, 3-0
Shamaine Danner (MVC) pin Hubbard, 3-1, 0:40
Samantha Fee (MVC) dec. Karen Howe (MVC), 4-0, 3-1
Shyla Iokia (USOEC) dec. Garcia, 2-1, 1-0

Consolation Round 1
Garcia dec. DeBakey, 5-0, 6-0
Shannon Reeves (Cumberlands) pin Whitney, 3-0, 1:34

Round 1
Shannon Reeves (Cumberlands) dec. DeBakey, 3-0, 3-0
Garcia dec. Whitney, 3-0, 2-0

Exhibition
Hubbard pin Whitney, 8-0, 0:38

63 kg/138.75 lbs.
1. Amberlee Ebert (Missouri Valley College)
2. Jennifer Germany (Missouri Valley College)
3. Samantha Richardson (Missouri Valley College)
4. Bethany Murphy (U.S. Air Force)
5. Emilee Murphree (Missouri Valley College Theatre)
6. Michele Querin (Missouri Valley College)

Finals
Amberlee Ebert (MVC) won by inj. def. over Jennifer Germany (MVC)

Consolation Finals
Samantha Richardson (MVC) dec. Bethany Murphy (USAF), 0-5, 1-0, 1-0
Emilee Murphree (MVCT) pin Michele Querin (MVC), 0:22

Consolation Semifinals
Samantha Richardson (MVC) dec. Emilee Murphree (MVCT), 1-1, 1-0
Bethany Murphy (USAF) dec. Michele Querin (MVC), 6-0, 3-3

Semifinals
Amberlee Ebert (MVC) dec. Emilee Murphree (MVCT), 6-0, 2-0
Jennifer Germany (MVC) dec. Bethany Murphy (USAF), 1-0, 1-0

Consolation Round 1
Samantha Richardson dec. Cordon, 1-3, 3-0, 2-0

Round 1
Emilee Murphree (MVCT) pin Michele Querin (MVC), 1:13
Jennifer Germany (MVC) dec. Samantha Richardson (MVC), 1-5, 2-0, 4-0
Bethany Murphy dec. Corden, 3-2, 2-0

67 kg/147.5 lbs.
1. Ashley Sword (OTC)
2. Emily Rinehart (Missouri Valley College)

Round 1
Ashley Sword (OTC) dec. Emily Rinehart (MVC), 0-1, 1-0, 2-0

Round 2
Ashley Sword (OTC) pin Emily Rinehart (MVC), 1-0, 0:37

72 kg/158.5 lbs.
1. Stephany Lee (Missouri Valley College)
2. Kristie Marano (New York AC)
3. Lacey Novinska (Missouri Valley College)
4. Amy Havens (Missouri valley College0
5. Sara English (Cumberlands)

Finals
Stephany Lee (MVC) dec. Kristie Marano (NYAC), 0-1, 2-0, 1-0

Consolation Finals
Lacey Novinska (MVC) dec. Amy Havens (MVC), 6-0, 0-2, 2-0

Semifinals
Kristie Marano (NYAC), Lacey Novinska (MVC), 1-1, 3-0, 3-0
Stephany Lee tech. Amy Havens (MVC), 6-0, 7-0

Consolation Semifinals
Amy Havens pin Sara English (Cumberlands0, 1:04

Round 1
Lacey Novinska (MVC) pin Sara English (Cumberlands), 4-3, 0:42

82 kg/180 lbs.
1. Jenna Pavlic (USOEC)
2. Dallas Monreal-Berner (USOEC)
3. Desiree Memea (Missouri Valley College)
4. Selina Perez (Missouri Valley College)
5. Ana Maria Hernandez (Missouri Valley College)

Finals
Jenna Pavlic (USOEC) dec. Dallas Monreal-Berner (USOEC), 3-0, 3-0

Consolation Finals
Desiree Memea (MVC) dec. Selina Perez (MVC), 2-1, 1-0

Consolation Semifinals
Selina Perez (MVC) dec. Ana Maria Hernandez (MVC), 4-0, 1-0

Semifinals
Jenna Pavlic (USOEC) dec. Memea (MVC), 5-3, 4-3
Dallas Monreal-Berner (USOEC) dec. Selina Perez (MVC), 1-0, 1-0

Round 1
Jenna Pavlic (USOEC) dec. Ana Maria Hernandez (MVC), 7-1, 8-1

Junior Event Results
105 lbs.
1. Hanna Martin (Okla.)

119 lbs.
1. Sienna Valdez (Ind.)

130 lbs.
1. Beth Johnson (Kan.)
2. Ashley Johnson (Mo.)
3. Paige Storm (Iowa)

138 lbs.
1. McKenna Thayn (Calif.)

160 lbs.
1. Tabitha Carrol (Kan.)
2. Kortni Charpie (Mo.)

School Girl Results
105 lbs.
1. Miranda Bennett (Mo.)
2. Danielle Mann (Kan.)
3. Victoria Kinsey (Okla.)

125 lbs.
1. Stephany Simpson (Mo.)
2. Avery Lee (Ga.)

Novice Results
80 lbs.
1. Katie Agey (Iowa)
2. Hannah Pratt (Mo.)

110 lbs.
1. Brittany Farnsworth (Mo.)
2. Jasmine Baker (Ill.)

Midget Results
60 lbs.
1. Alicia Meyer (Mo.)
2. Mariah Basinger (Okla.)

70 lbs.
1. Kayla Marano (Colo.)

75 lbs.
1. Sydney Noe-Law (Okla.)