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Fulp-Allen wins at Junior Pan Am games
By Mark Foyer--[ markf@hmbreview.com ] 7/3/07
Katherine Fulp-Allen picked up some nice stuff while in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Her gold medal for winning the 51-kilogram/112-pound division in women's wrestling at the Junior Pan American Games June 23 made the headlines.
When the El Granada resident finished competing, she wandered through the housing facility, making deals.
She traded her United States singlet for an Ecuador uniform and her U.S. jacket for a Peru jacket.
"The trading was the most important part," Fulp-Allen said. "With all the political stuff going on, it's easy for people to make judgments. It's important to have the human component. It's all about meeting different people and sharing with the different cultures."
Though the American and Venezuelan governments have differences, no one there took it out on Fulp-Allen or the other Americans.
"We were treated very well," Fulp-Allen said. "The people were very nice to us. We had a nice facility and good coaches."
She made the most of her opportunities. Fulp-Allen, a 2006 graduate of Half Moon Bay High School, began the tournament with a win over Diana Ford of Canada. That was followed by a win over Viviana Moro of Ecuador.
She claimed the gold medal by pinning Yenifer Gonsales of Venezuela.
"I didn't have any expectations of winning," Fulp-Allen said. "I had just come off a good training session (at the U.S. Olympic Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.)."
She said that all three competitors were strong.
"On any day, anyone could have beaten anyone else," Fulp-Allen said. "I did what I needed to do to win. It was great competition."
Though she had been to international competitions before, the Junior Pan Am Games marked the first time she had participated as a member of a national team as determined by a showing at a qualifying tournament.
The road to Venezuela started in April with a third-place finish at a national tournament in Colorado Springs.
The winner of the tournament qualified for the World Junior Championships with the runner-up going to the Junior Pan Am games. When the runner-up was unable to go, Fulp-Allen took the spot.
Not only did Fulp-Allen have to beat three wrestlers, but she also had other concerns.
"I had to deal with the different food and the language barrier," Fulp-Allen said. "Everything worked out in the end."
It's now back to training for her. The soon-to-be sophomore at Menlo College is ranked 10th nationally by themat.com, a Web site devoted to national and international wrestling.
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Jul 5, 2007 3:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
by Mike Peters, The Examiner
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Nicole Woody made sure her most recent trip to Oklahoma City wouldn’t be her last.
Woody, who graduated from Arundel High last month, is taking her Olympic dreams to Oklahoma City University. She signed a letter of intent Monday to wrestle with the Stars, who will introduce a fully funded women’s wrestling program in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in the winter.
“She wants to be a world champion. She wants to be an Olympic champion. She wants a degree,” Oklahoma City wrestling coach Archie Randall said. “That’s what we’ll make sure she gets.”
Randall and his coaching staff spent the last few months recruiting and landed Woody after she competed in the Junior Dual National Championships in Oklahoma City last week.
Woody went 6-1 for Maryland in the tournament, with her only loss coming to the lone undefeated 98-pounder, Illinois’ Max Nowry.
At one point in the match, Nowry (10-0) landed a hard takedown, putting Woody on her back. He fought furiously to pin her, but Woody dodged every attempt.
Nowry settled for a decision — his only victory not earned by fall.
“That, to me, was amazing in itself,” Randall said.
Woody wasn’t so enthusiastic.
“I don’t take pride in losing,” Woody said. “I didn’t do anything in that match, and I have to be more aggressive. I’ve got to start moving my feet more and start shooting. That’s the best thing I can do now.”
Randall said Woody would spend the summer “bulking up” in order to take her place at the 48 kilogram (105 pounds) spot in the lineup. She’ll join 32 other girls this season, as Randall tries to prepare them for the 2008 Olympic trials. He wants every wrestler to have between 30 to 40 matches this season so they’re ready.
Woody, who said being in the Olympics would be a dream come true, doesn’t think she’ll ready for the 2008 games. She’s gearing herself for potential berths in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics — both goals Woody believes are more possible with the Stars’ coaching staff behind her.
Woody chose Oklahoma City over several colleges, including Lock Haven University (Pa.), which is launching its women’s wrestling club program in the upcoming season. After visiting the campuses and the coaches, Woody decided Oklahoma City would be a better fit for her.
“This school is geared toward success, and that’s what we want to do,” Randall said. “We want to be the best wrestling program in the country. Nicole is going to help us get there.”
In her three-year career at Arundel, where she predominantly tangled with boys, Woody finished with a 69-19 record. She was 34-4 in 2007, while capturing the Anne Arundel County championships and the 4A/3A East Regional title. Woody took a 6-2 defeat to River Hill’s Scott Mantua in the state finals, keeping her from becoming Maryland’s first female wrestling champion.
But her goals are higher now.
“I don’t like to lose,” Woody said. “I love to win. Once I like get the feeling it’s like a drug. I just need it more and more.”
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By Bruce Campbell Staff Writer 7/5/07
Bobby Cook promises to be “offensive’’ as Woodward’s new wrestling coach.
“I like to preach offense,’’ said Cook, who was approved as the Boomers’ new coach at a school board meeting Monday. “I would rather win or lose a match 15-12 than win or lose a match 2-1.’’
Cook was an assistant at Class 4A state champion Lawton MacArthur last year and was an aide at Class 3A power Locust Grove three years before that.
“This (first head coaching position) is something everybody looks forward to,’’ Cook said. “I had other opportunities before, but I opted not to take them. I was looking for the right situation.’’
Woodward had its first-ever top 10 finish at this year’s Class 4A state tournament.
The Boomers return four state qualifiers from last season — Matt White, 112; Jake Ruble, 125; Zach White, 160; and Derek Branson, 215, as well as senior Joey Miller, who became the first girl to place at state in 2005.
“Woodward is a sleeping giant as far as wrestling goes,’’ Cook said. “If you can get the support of the community and the administration, the sky is the limit.’’
The community appealed to Cook, who didn’t have any previous connections to northwest Oklahoma before taking the job.
“The people here are great,’’ he said. “My wife and I wanted to put ourselves in that type of environment.’’
Cook was virtually born to be a wrestler. He was the last of four brothers, all of whom were state champions. Brother Tony excelled at the international level. His first job was under brother Johnny at Locust Grove.
“The name Cook is pretty well known in wrestling,’’ he said. “I had to be a wrestler.’’
Cook was a two-time state champion and a two-time state runner-up at Locust Grove in high school.
He accepted a scholarship to Syracuse, but the Orangemen soon dropped their program. Cook ended up as a four-time Southern Conference champion at Tennessee-Chattanooga. He was an NCAA qualifier as well.
Cook received his bachelor’s degree in history from Northeastern Oklahoma State.
He will stress discipline and conditioning with the Boomers.
“Conditioning is a big factor in wrestling,’’ he said. “You could be wrestling someone who is better than you, but if they’re not in good condition and you are, it can level the playing field. It gives you a better opportunity to win.’’
Cook sees himself as a wrestler’s coach. He said his strength is being able to motivate and relate to his wrestlers.