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Oklahoma

High school wrestling notebook: Tuttle nabs honors

Robert Przybylo 2/24/08

Martin, Miller place fourth: El Reno's Hanna Martin (103) and Woodward's Joey Miller (119) placed fourth at state this year in their respective classes. It's the second time Miller has placed and the first time for Martin, who qualified for state last year but was eliminated after two losses.

"It feels a lot better than last year,” she said. "I had a bad season, so coming in I didn't expect to do well. I kept my head up and got fourth.”

Class 3A wrestling results

Class 4A wrestling results

USA
First day draws for U.S. women wrestlers at the Kiev International in Ukraine

Elizabeth Wiley USA Wrestling
02/22/2008

The U.S. women’s freestyle team has received their first-day draws at the 2008 Kiev International in Ukraine.

Five U.S. women wrestlers are set to take on international opponents on the first day of competition on Saturday.

The U.S. draws are:
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
vs. Pulkovska (UKR)

48 kg/105.5 lbs - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
vs. Tabaeva (RUS)

55 kg/121 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Gaffney, S.C. (Sunkist Kids)
vs. Mikhalkova (BLR)

72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
vs. Nazarova (RUS)

72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
vs. Panova (KGZ)

2008 Kiev International
Kiev, Ukraine
Feb. 22-23, 2008

Complete Draws:

48 kg/105.5 lbs
Top Bracket
1 - Stadnyk AZE
2 - Yarova UKR
3 - Iemeliyanova UKR
5 - Stadnik GBR
6 - Shishkina RUS
7 - Khmailnitskaya BLR
8 - Naziha TUN
9 - Rakhmanova RUS
Bottom Bracket
10 - Petrova BLR
11 - Name not known ROU
12 - Livach UKR
13 - Name not known UZB
14 - Staravoitava BLR
15 - Paulava BLR
16 - Bezroka UKR
17 - Stephanie Murata, Sunkist Kids
18 - Pulkovska UKR
19 - Tabaeva RUS
20 - Clarissa Chun, Sunkist Kids

55 kg/121 lbs.
Top Bracket
1 - Bavka HUN
2 - Nareekha UKR
3 - Kubatbekkyzy KGZ
4 - Dynbayeva KAZ
5 - Mikhalkova BLR
6 - Jenny Wong, Sunkist Kids
7 - Amri TUN
8 - Riabi TUN
Bottom Bracket
9 - Paval ROM
10 - Smirnova RUS
11 - Levkovska UKR
12 - Synyshyn UKR
13 - Szabo HUN
14 - Mirzaeva UZB
15 - Hryhoryeva BLR
16 - Khariv UKR
17 - Lazareva UKR

63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Top Bracket
1 - Sastin HUN
2 - Dombrovska UKR
3 - Ben Sassi TUN
4 - Michala CHR
5 - Kuznetsova RUS
6 - Saygulkysy KGZ
7 - Volosova RUS
8 - Ostapchuk UKR
Bottom Bracket
9 - Kuyatokovska UKR
10 - Kartashova RUS
11 - Netreba UKR
12 - Zamula AZE
13 - Shalikova UKR
14 - Butkevich GBR
15 - Allandi SWE
16 - Melnikova RUS
17 - Lappov BLR
18 - Kolobayeva RUS
19 - Golovchenko UKR

72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Top Bracket
1 - Ivanova AZE
2 - Sayenko UKR
3 - Iris Smith, U.S. Army
4 - Nazarova RUS
5 - Manurova RUS
6 - Gurbanhajieva AZE
7 - Nina CHR
8 - Starodubtseva RUS
Bottom Bracket
9 - Shinkariova BLR
10 - Gastl AUT
11 - Schavlinskaya RUS
12 - Senentsova UKR
13 - Bukina RUS
14 - Soos HUN
15 - Panova KGZ
16 - Katie Downing, Sunkist Kids
17 - Vaschuk UKR
18 - Perepiolkina RUS


U.S. lineups set in all three styles for Pan American Championships

Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
02/23/2008

 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Pan American Championships are held every year, but this year’s wrestling event takes on much more significance as it serves as a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

This year’s Pan American Championships are set for Feb. 29-March 2 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The Pan American Championships is sponsored by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation.

The U.S. qualified 12 of 18 overall weight classes for the Olympics at the 2007 World Championships by virtue of finishing in the top eight in 12 weight classes in Baku, Azerbaijan. Only Russia, with 13 qualifiers, has more weight classes qualified for the Olympics at this time.

In all three styles at the Pan American Championships, the top athlete in each weight class from a nation which has not already qualified for the Olympics will qualify that nation to compete in the Beijing Games. Only nations that competed at the 2007 World Championships in each weight class are eligible to qualify through the Pan American Championships.

The U.S. still needs to qualify three weights in Greco-Roman (60 kg/132 lbs., 74 kg/163 lbs. and 96 kg/211.5 lbs.), two in freestyle (55 kg/121 lbs. and 60 kg/132 lbs.) and one in women’s freestyle (55 kg/121 lbs.).

The Greco-Roman competition is set for Feb. 29, followed by women’s freestyle on March 1 and freestyle on March 2. The Pan American Championships include athletes from North, South and Central America.

The U.S. will enter 2007 World Team members Joe Betterman (60 kg/132 lbs.), T.C. Dantzler (74 kg/163 lbs.) and Justin Ruiz (96 kg/211.5 lbs.) in the Greco-Roman weights it needs to qualify. Dantzler placed fifth in the World in 2006 and Ruiz won a World bronze medal in 2005.

“The Pan American Championships play a huge role in our quest for Olympic excellence,” U.S. National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser said. “Our 60 kg, 74 kg and 96 kg weight classes obviously will be our main focus in this tournament, with the goal to win the championship and qualify our entire Greco squad for Beijing. We are very confident that we can accomplish this goal and feel very good about our chances in shocking the world again by winning a record number of medals in Beijing this August.”

In freestyle, the U.S. will enter 2007 World Team member Henry Cejudo (55 kg/121 lbs.) and 2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick (60 kg/132 lbs.) in hopes of qualifying the final two weights in freestyle for the Olympics. Cejudo won the Pan American Championships and Pan American Games in 2007. Zadick placed second in the 2007 Pan American Games.

“This is our most important event of the new year so far for 55 kg and 60 kg,” U.S. National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson said. “This is the best scenario to get those weights qualified for the Olympics. With berths to the Olympics at stake, the matches will be intense. We must win at 55 kg and 60 kg.

“All of our athletes will compete for gold medals. Cuba will challenge us in all the weight classes and Canada will field one of their best teams.”

2007 World Team member Marcie Van Dusen will try to qualify the fourth and final Olympic weight class for the women at 55 kg/121 lbs. Van Dusen is coming off a win over five-time World champion and Olympic gold medalist Saori Yoshida of Japan at the World Cup.

The Pan American Championships are the first of three remaining qualifiers in each style for the U.S. to qualify its remaining weight classes for the Olympics.

Click here for Olympic qualified weight classes among Pan American nations.

Nations expected to compete in the Pan American Championships include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

U.S. ROSTERS FOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS,
FEB. 29-MARCH 2, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

GRECO-ROMAN

55 kg/121 lbs. – Josh Habeck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Joe Betterman, Chicago, Ill. (New York AC/USOEC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jake Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (Gator WC/USOEC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm/USOEC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Russ Davie, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

Coaches – Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Momir Petkovic (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Ike Anderson (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Dan Chandler (Minneapolis, Minn.); Rob Hermann (Pensacola, Fla.), Jay Antonelli (Chesapeake, Va.), Rich Estrella (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE

48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Mary Kelly, Gaffney, S.C. (New York AC)
51 kg/112 lbs. – Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Tatiana Padilla, LaVerne, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Coaches – Terry Steiner (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Vladislav Izboinikov (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

FREESTYLE

55 kg/121 lbs. – Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Chris Bono, Ringgold, Ga. (Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Joe Williams, Belvidere, Ill. (Sunkist Kids)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)

Coaches – Kevin Jackson (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Terry Brands (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Lee Kemp (Alpharetta, Ga.)




North Carolina
VIDEO: First female to qualify for NCHSAA state meet pins opponent in first round of wrestling championships

Winston-Salem Journal 2/22/08


» VIDEO: Olivia Neal, first female wrestler to qualify for the NCHSAA state meet, pins opponent in first round of the Class 1-A/2-A wrestling championships.

Olivia Neal of Goldsboro Rosewood pinned Ray Farnsworth of Catawba Bandys in 1:53 in the first round of the Class 1-A/2-A wrestling championships today.

Neal is the first female wrestler to qualify for the NCHSAA state meet and will wrestle again tonight against Eric Messick of Robbinsville in the quarterfinals.


NC high school wrestling championships - related links:

  • See NC high school wrestling photos at this link (use the filters to see other sports).
  • See all of your city’s local sports site at this link (click on your NC city or change states for other cities).

    • New York

    Section VI crowns first female wrestling champion

    By Keith McShea - NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
    Updated: 02/24/08 12:06 AM


    Section VI has its first female wrestling champion: Carlene Sluberski of Fredonia.

    Sluberski, a junior, won the 96-pound title at the Division II (small school) championships Saturday night at Jamestown Community College. Sluberski beat top-seeded Ben Haas of Salamanca, 11-6, for the title and also earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at the meet.

    Sluberski will represent Section VI at the New York State Championships March 8-9 at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

    She was one of four champions for Fredonia at the meet. Niagara-Wheatfield had four champions in the Division I (large school) meet at Kenmore West. Cheektowaga, Pioneer and Lancaster had three.

    In girls basketball, Grand Island knocked off top-seeded Kenmore East in Saturday's semifinals to earn a Class A-1 championship date with Williamsville East. In Class A-2, Pioneer and East Aurora both won to set up a much-anticipated showdown in the final.

    Other semifinal winners in girls basketball were: B-1 -- Olean and Fredonia; B-2 -- Falconer and Roy-Hart; C-1 -- Holland and Allegany-Limestone; C-2 - Frewsburg and Franklinville.

    For more on Sluberski's victory and all of Saturday's high school postseason action, check out Sunday's Buffalo News.

     
    West Virginia

    Injury ends tournament for Eagles' Forquer

    By Rick Kozlowski, Journal sports writer 2/23/08

    GIRLS NIGHT OUT

    The state tournament’s two female wrestlers — Mya Miller of Hedgesville and Brooke Alton of Lewis County — lasted two rounds in the tournament, being pinned in their first-round matches and finishing slightly better in their consolation matches.

    Miller, a 103-pound freshman, suffered a technical fall in her second match at 4 minutes, 13 seconds after being pinned at 1:53 in her opener. Alton, a 112-pound sophomore, lost her first match by fall in 1:59, then fought to 11-0 major decision loss in her second match.

    “You can debate the issue all day long whether girls should be wrestling with boys,” Whittington said. “Some will say females aren’t as strong in their upper body — and they’re probably not. Others will say males aren’t as flexible — that’s definitely true.

    “Mya’s biggest problem is upper-body strength.”

    Miller is Hedgesville’s second female wrestler, though the previous girl to give it a try it for the Eagles didn’t finish out the season and saw action in one match.

    “She worked very hard in practice and has a very positive attitude,” Whittington said. “She did a good job for us.”

    Miller finished with a 12-25 record.

    Still, as just a handful of females have qualified for the state wrestling tournament, she can take heart in that the first one, Erica Dye of Wirt County, reached the Class AA/A tournament finals in 2002.


    North Dakota
    Jamestown College to add women's varsity wrestling team

    Jamestown College
    02/22/2008

     Jamestown College has announced the addition of a women’s varsity wrestling program. The team will begin competing as a varsity sport for the 2008-09 season.

    Jamestown College, located in Jamestown, North Dakota is an independent four year college founded in 1883 by Presbyterian settlers. It is the only North Dakota college or university in 2008 to be names by US News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” as a top tier Midwest region baccalaureate college.

    Jamestown College is proud to announce that, Cisco Cole, head men’s wrestling coach, will also become the head coach of the women’s team.

    “I am extremely excited about coaching the new women’s wrestling team here at Jamestown College”, said Cole. “Women’s wrestling is one of the world’s fastest growing women’s sports. There are over 6,000 high school girls that wrestle, so being able to offer them an opportunity to continue wrestling at the college level just makes sense.”

    Jamestown College is ideally located near the center of several U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities that offer women’s wrestling.

    “We believe that our location provides an excellent opportunity for Jamestown College to host national and international competitions right here on our campus”, says Athletic Director, Lawrie Paulson.

    Jamestown College enjoys a strong reputation for providing quality academic programs. Adding a women’s wrestling program that allows student athletes the opportunity to compete on a national and international level demonstrates the college’s commitment to providing quality opportunities for our students to excel in and outside the classroom.

    For more information about the Jamestown College women’s wrestling program, please contact Coach Cole by e-mail or phone at ccole@jc.edu, or 701-252-3467 ext. 2457.





    Maine
    Augustine, Midcoast girls secure top state places

    By Ken Waltz 2/24/08
    VillageSoup/Knox County Times Sports Director


    FARMINGTON (Feb 23): Wrestling popularity among Midcoast high school girls has grown dramatically from the first pioneers of the sport years ago to the strong contingent that now pushes their male counterparts for league, regional and state supremacy.
    That was evident in the first Maine high school girls wrestling invitational championship meet on Wednesday at Mt. Blue High School.

    More than 52 girls representing 31 schools competed in the event, which was sanctioned by the Maine Principals' Association. The MPA governs all participating schools' varsity sports in the state.

    When the final matches had been contested Midcoast grapplers more than held their own with one — Medomak Valley freshman Cheyenne Augustine — finishing first.

    Female grapplers from Medomak Valley of Waldoboro, Camden Hills and Mount View of Thorndike competed.

    The team scores were: Mt. Ararat of Topsham 47, York 45.5, Oxford Hills of South Paris 38.5, Caribou 36.5, Hyde School of Bath 31.5, Washington Academy of East Machias 30.5, Erskine Academy of South China 27.5, Kennebunk 27, Madison 26.5, Noble 22.5, Deering 21, Poland and Medomak Valley 20.5, Mount View 16.5, Camden Hills 16, Lisbon 12, Ellsworth 10.5, Lincoln Academy of Newcastle 10, Massabesic of Waterboro 9.5, Monmouth Academy 8, Fryeburg Academy 7.5, Dexter 6, Wells, Oak Hill of Sabattus, Mt. Blue and Jay 4, Foxcroft Academy 3, and Westbrook, Nokomis of Newport and Gardiner no score.


    The championship results involving Midcoast wrestlers included:

    110 pounds — Kristi Pearse, CH, lost by forfeit to Kelly Golek, MtA.

    115 pounds — Augustine, Med, beat Meghan Wormwood, OxH, 8-3 in overtime.

    132 pounds — Kyia Bryant, MountV, was pinned by Tiera Williams, Deer, at 0:52.

    Arvid Cullenberg, the event's organizer, said he hoped to attract 25 wrestlers to the meet, but to have more than 50 competitors from Caribou to York was more than he expected.

    During the regular season, most female wrestlers match up against male grapplers, occasionally meeting other girls in matches. Wednesday's meet was an all-girls affair, which allowed the females to compete on a level playing field, so to speak.

    The individual weight class brackets and additional results were unavailable.



    Wyoming

    All Girls, All Wrestling In Farmington

    Web Editor: Brian Yocono, Reporter 
    Created: 2/20/2008 4:59:06 PM
    Updated: 2/20/2008 7:53:55 PM



    Video
    FARMINGTON (NEWS CENTER) -- For the first time, an all Girls Wrestling competition comes to Maine. More than 50 girls from 31 high schools were in Farmington Wednesday.
    They're used to taking on guys, but they say competing against another girl makes a level playing field.

    "As long as they fight me as they would another guy, I don't mind," said Washington Academy Sophomore Chianti Mrazik.

    "Their talent is really incredible, it really is," said organizer Arvid Cullenberg. "And often times they got matched up with guys that are stronger, so this is an opportunity for them to shine in their own light."

    Co-Ed wrestling has been around for more than a decade in Maine. With growing interest, the State could see more All-Girl competitions in the future.






    wyoming

    'It's just what he believes'

    By AUSTIN WARD
    Star-Tribune staff writer

    pounder in the state he won't wrestle, leaving him to stick with his family beliefs and forfeit his shot at a title to Brenton.

    "The way he's been raised, his morals and beliefs, is that you don't treat a young lady that way," Green River coach Darren Heslep said. "It doesn't matter what's at stake.

    "He's been taught the difference between right and wrong. It's something he's been raised with his family, and that's what he's going to do."

    It's not the first time the defending champion at 103 pounds has forfeited a match rather than wrestle a girl. The Harris family's atypical approach to wrestling females is well known.

    Brenton also is far from the first girl to wrestle in the state, but they're still fairly uncommon on the male-dominated mats.

    Forfeits at state are a bit of a rarity as well, and this one again puts the sometimes uneasy girl-boy dynamic on center stage -- though both coaches have tried to keep the main characters out of the spotlight this week.

    It'll be unavoidable after it becomes official this morning, even if the decision by Harris has been widely anticipated since the random draw came out last weekend -- the final cloud of the perfect storm.

    Brenton missed her weight at regionals last week and had to move up to 119 pounds.

    She didn't place in the meet, leaving her fate -- and Harris's -- up to chance.

    The Mustangs figure to benefit greatly from the luck of the draw, though it hardly could have turned out worse for the Wolves.

    "It's random," NC coach Scott Russell said. "It just happened to be that she draws Harris from Green River.

    "I don't know what their intentions are, what their philosophy is or who's making the decisions or what not. It doesn't matter. That's their views. Our views are, Jessica is our best 119-pounder, she's going there to try to win as many matches as she possibly can, and it doesn't matter who we wrestle."

    Russell occasionally slipped up and called Brenton his best 112-pounder, which is still true but also part of an earlier firestorm for the freshman.

    Brenton moved up to the next weight class during a dual meet against Gillette, getting a pin but drawing criticism for the gamesmanship that helped her avoid a bout with undefeated Tyler Cox.

    "It's upsetting," Heslep said. "That's what (Harris) has been shooting for for a year.

    "A kid doesn't make weight and is allowed to go up at the regional tournament, and then they're drawn in -- tough luck, this is the way things are. (But) he's a class act. He does everything the best that he possibly can. He's got good morals, good values, comes from a strong family background, and his (Mormon) religion has absolutely nothing to do with it. It's just what he personally believes."

    That belief isn't going away.

    His coach said he wasn't sure if he could be as strong given the situation.

    But his belief in Harris might not ever be stronger.

    "I'm sure it was hard," Heslep said. "He's more of a man than I am, I'll tell you that.

    "Winning and losing isn't everything. Standing up for what you believe in is important, and standing behind your kids -- that's easy."

    The hard part for a former title contender will now be making his way though the wrestle-backs and salvaging as many points as he can.

    And maybe hoping that another chain of events in the winners' bracket doesn't lead to a forfeit that might loom before the third-place match.

    "Jessica is going in to compete just like anyone else would in that bracket," Russell said. "She's going there to be competitive and try to win."

    She's already got one.

    Contact sports reporter Austin Ward at (307) 266-0634 or austin.ward@trib.com.

    * Coaches stand by their athletes -- A5

    * Complete tournament coverage in Sports, section C.]]>

    See more about the boy vs. girl controversy -- along with state tournament blogs, team photos, brackets, videos and more -- at www.trib.com/wrestling.]]>

    Why he won't wrestle her at state video:
    http://videos.trib.com/p/video?id=1731311
    Here she wrestles at Wy. state VIDEO:
    http://videos.trib.com/p/video?id=1732731
    article why he won't:
    http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2008/02/22/news/wyoming/13fd6e17dcf2aec7872573f7000a18ec.txt
    AND HERE:
    http://my.trib.com/post/DavidBuck/blog/ncgillette_wrestling_follow.html
    AND HERE:
    http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2008/02/22/news/wyoming/b1be1944e6f531ea872573f7000a1fc6.txt
    OLDER article: http://www.wyopreps.com/news/2007/dec/17/natrona-wins-battle-big-horns/
    And her COACH posted these YOUTUBE videos of her at 'Little big Horns tour'(she was 2nd)
    Click here to see videi:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bqIAbLyxHs
    Also, at another tour:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eam0DshnYHU
    And at another tour: 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piot6IFCmoY&feature=related
    Theie HOMEPAGE
     http://www.natronawrestling.us/page/page/819948.htm

    Texas
    UIL girls wrestling-results

    02/23/2008

    Associated Press

    Round 4 — Jessica Nguyen, Houston Cypress Ridge p. Ofelia Valdez, Dallas Molina, 4:32; Nicole Silva, El Paso Hanks d. Jenny Garza, Rio Grande City, 10-1.

    Consolation — Jennifer Gonzalez, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo d. Danisa Garcia, El Paso Bowie, 12-10; Candy Martinez, Amarillo Caprock p. Neda Hassani, Frisco Centennial, 3:18; Ofelia Valdez, Dallas Molina p. Jennifer Gonzales, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial, 4:22; Candy Martinez, Amarillo Caprock d. Jenny Garza, Rio Grande City, 9-5.

    Championship Round — Champion: Jessica Nguyen, Houston Cypress Ridge p. Nicole Silva, El Paso Hanks, 3:09; Third: Candy Martinez, Amarillo Caprock d. Ofelia Valdez, Dallas Molina, 8-5; Fifth: Jenny Garza, Rio Grande City d. Jennifer Gonzalez, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial, 2-0.

    102 pounds

    Round 4 — Alba Mendoza, El Paso Franklin p. Rachel Guajardo, Katy Mayde Creek, 3:55; Hilory Cordero, Amarillo Caprock p. Whitney Watts, Vernon, 4:38.

    Consolation — Courtney Hole, Katy Taylor p. Arielle Salazar, Beeville A.C. Jones 3:14; Alejandra Gomez, Houston Lee p. Elise Woodruff, Austin Lyndon B. Johnson, 1:43; Courtney Hole, Katy Taylor p. Rachel Guajardo, Houston Lee, 2:34; Alejandra Gomez, Houston Lee p. Whitney Watts, Vernon, 0:38.

    Championship Round — Champion: Hilory Cordero, Amarillo Caprock d. Alba Mendoza, El Paso Franklin, 10-8; Third: Courtney Hole, Katy Taylor d. Alejandra Gomez, Houston Lee, 12-0; Fifth: Rachel Guajardo, Katy Mayde Creek p. Whitney Watts, Vernon, 1:17.

    110 pounds

    Round 4 — Emily Martin, Frisco Centennial d. Lisa Martinez, Amarillo Caprock, 7-3; T.J. Cannon, Arlington Bowie d. Taylor Busboom, Klein, 14-1.

    Consolation — Krysta Atkinson, Austin Lyndon B. Johnson d. Amy Lara, Dallas Molina, 6-4; Brynn Suttles, Converse Judson p. Ashley Wilkes, Clute Brazoswood, 4:00; Lisa Martinez, Amarillo Caprock d. Krysta Atkinson, Austin Lyndon B. Johnson, 11-1; Brynn Suttles, Converse Judson d. Taylor Busboom, Klein, 12-1.

    Championship Round — Champion: Emily Martin, Frisco Centennial d. T.J. Cannon, Arlington Bowie, 2-1; Third: Lisa Martinez, Amarillo Caprock d. Brynn Suttles, Converse Judson, 9-2; Fifth: Taylor Busboom, Klein p. Krysta Atkinson, Austin Lyndon B. Johnson, 2:48.

    119 pounds

    Round 4 — Maylene Garcia, Corpus Christi Ray p. Nicole Almanza, Amarillo Caprock, 4:50; Liza Gutierrez, El Paso Del Valle d. Mia Provence, Arlington Lamar, 8-4.

    Consolation — Brittany Rubalcado, Dallas Molina p. Angel Miller, Keller Central, 2:43; Julie Smith, Houston Cypress Fairbanks d. Ariel Carmon, Austin Crockett, 12-4; Brittany Rubalcado, Dallas Molina d. Nicole Almanza, Amarillo Caprock, 4-3; Mia Provence, Arlington Lamar d. Julie Smith, Houston Cypress Fairbanks, 12-10.

    Championship Round — Champion: Liza Gutierrez, El Paso Del Valle d. Maylene Garcia, Corpus Christi Ray, 10-6; Third: Mia Provence, Arlington Lamar p. Brittany Rubalcado, Dallas Molina, 3:35; Fifth: Julie Smith, Houston Cypress Fairbanks d. Nicole Almanza, Amarillo Caprock, 7-4.

    128 pounds

    Round 4 — Stephanie Han, El Paso Irvin p. Katie Jones, Boys Ranch, 1:09; Luzette Villegas, Hereford d. Anna Campos, Conroe Oak Ridge, 14-10.

    Consolation — Kirsten Strickler, Frisco p. Amanda Kelso, Waller, 2:48; Jodi Martinez, Amarillo Tascosa d. Elizabeth Hawk, Friendswood Clear Brook, 6-1; Kirsten Strickler, Frisco d. Katie Jones, Boys Ranch, 8-2; Jodi Martinez, Amarillo Tascosa d. Anna Campos, Conroe Oak Ridge, 9-7.

    Championship Round — Champion: Stephanie Han, El Paso Irvin d. Luzaette Villegas, Hereford, 7-4; Third: Kirsten Strickler, Frisco d. Jodi Martinez, Amarillo Tascosa, 13-5; Fifth: Katie Jones, Boys Ranch d. Anna Campos, Conroe Oak Ridge, 12-1.

    138 pounds

    Round 4 — Tessa Plana, Coppell p. Whitney Disotelle, Waller, 4:45; Daffney Barbosa, Amarillo Caprock p. Frances Efiong, Arlington Lamar, 5:29.

    Consolation — Beka Mahlow, Arlington Martin p. Andrienna Moore, Killeen Shoemaker, 3:34; Julie Stayton, Katy d. Lorraine Herrera, El Paso Andress, 5-3; Beka Mahlow, Arlington Martin p. Whitney Disotelle, Waller, 1:52; Frances Efiong, Arlington Lamar d. Julie Stayton, Katy, 4-3.

    Championship Round — Champion: Tessa Plana, Coppell p. Daffney Barbosa, Amarillo Caprock, 6:56; Third: Beka Mahlow, Arlington Martin d. Frances Efiong, Arlington Lamar, 8-2; Fifth: Julie Stayton, Katy p. Whitney Disotelle, Waller, 2:02.

    148 pounds

    Round 4 — Shelby Fellers, Waller p. Karra Stratton, Frisco Wakeland, 2:50; Breena Maul, Amarillo Tascosa p. Julie De La Garza, Corpus Christi King, 5:28.

    Consolation — Lauren Marsolak, Coppell d. Kathleen Farmer, Katy, 10-1; Kristen Iruegas, Hereford p. Bettina Castillo, El Paso Del Valle, 0:27; Karra Stratton, Frisco Wakeland d. Lauren Marsolak, Coppell, 15-2; Julie De La Garza, Corpus Christi King p. Kristen Iruegas, Hereford, 4:27.

    Championship Round — Champion: Breena Maul, Amarillo Tascosa p. Shelby Fellers, Waller, 2:51; Third: Karra Stratton, Frisco Wakeland d. Julie De La Garza, Corpus Christi King, 8-6; Fifth: Kristen Iruegas, Hereford d. Lauren Marsolak, Coppell, 13-1.

    165 pounds

    Round 4 — Katie Brackin, Austin Lyndon B. Johnson d. Allannah Griego, Frisco, 3-2; Alana Jimenez, Katy p. Brittany Jones, Coppell, 3:22.

    Consolation — Rachel Coleman, Dallas Kimball p. Cheryce Moss, Seguin, 2:45; Kendra Lewis, Houston Cypress Ridge d. Courtney Bates, Waller, 3-1; Allannah Griego, Frisco d. Rachel Coleman, Dallas Kimball, 6-3; Kendra Lewis, Houston Cypress Ridge p. Brittany Jones, Coppell, 3:53.

    Championship Round — Champion: Alana Jimenez, Katy d. Katie Brackin, Austin Lyndon B. Johnson, 6-1; Third: Kendra Lewis, Houston Cypress Ridge d. Allannah Griego, Frisco, 5-2; Fifth: Brittany Jones, Coppell p. Rachel Coleman, Dallas Kimball, 2:31.

    185 pounds

    Round 4 — Jamie Moore, Cedar Park p. Meagan Fellers, Waller, 2:27; Jessica Scott, Arlington Martin p. Dyondraia Williams, Arlington, 2:42.

    Consolation — Walinda Brown, Dallas Kimball d. Rachael Bryant, Killeen Shoemaker, 6-1; Crystal Romero, El Paso Chapin d. Claudia Pena, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo, 14-4; Walinda Brown, Dallas Kimball d. Meagan Fellers, Waller, 14-7; Crystal Romero, El Paso Chapin d. Dyondraia Williams, Arlington, 8-3.

    Championship Round — Champion: Jessica Scott, Arlington Martin p. Jamie Moore, Cedar Park, 2:52; Third: Walinda Brown, Dallas Kimball d. Crystal Romero, El Paso Chapin, 3-2; Fifth: Dyondraia Williams, Arlington p. Meagan Fellers, Waller, 3:58

    215 pounds

    Round 4 — Yadinma Nwaiwu, Coppell p. Marissa Schrepel, Amarillo Tascosa, 2:52; Amanda Athon, Arlington p. Danielle Vernier, Houston Cypress Fairbanks, 3:37.

    Consolation — Kiara Swain, Allen p. Demetricia Brown, Dallas Kimball, 2:57; Brianna Marzett, Killeen Shoemaker d. Yolanda Pena, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo, 10-3; Kiara Swain, Allen d. Marissa Schrepel, Amarillo Tascosa, 11-6; Danielle Vernier, Houston Cypress Fairbanks d. Brianna Marzett, Killeen Shoemaker, 4-3.

    Championship Round — Champion: Amanda Athon, Arlington p. Yadinma Nwaiwu, Coppell, 1:03; Third: Kiara Swain, Allen d. Danielle Vernier, Houston Cypress Fairbanks, 11-3; Fifth: Marissa Schrepel, Amarillo Tascosa p. Brianna Marzett, Killeen Shoemaker, 4:30.

    ___

    Girls Final Team Results

    1. Amarillo Caprock 101, 2. Coppell 79, 3. Amarillo Tascosa 60, 4. Arlington Martin 56, 5. Waller 55, 6. Houston Cypress Ridge 50, 7. Arlington 47, 8. Katy 44, 9. Austin LBJ 40, 10. Hereford 40, 11. Frisco 36.5, 12. Arlington Lamar 35.5, 13. Dallas Molina 35, 14. Dallas Kimball 33, 15. Frisco Centennial 31, 16. Killeen Shoemaker 30, 17. Houston Cypress Fairbanks 30, 18. El Paso Del Valle 29.5, 19. El Paso Irvin 26, 20. Cedar Park 24, 21. Arlington Bowie 24, 22. Corpus Christi Ray 24, 23. El Paso Hanks 23.5, 24. El Paso Franklin 22, 25. Katy Taylor 22, 26. Katy Mayde Creek 22, 27. Converse Judson 21, 28. Allen 20.5, 29. Houston Lee 18, 30. Corpus Christi King 18, 31. Frisco Wakeland 17, 32. El Paso Chapin 14, 33. Klein 14, 34. Vernon 14, 35. Boys Ranch 13, 36. Rio Grande City 13, 37. Conroe Oak Ridge 11, 38. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo 11, 39. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial 10, 40. El Paso Andress 9, 41. Converse Wagner 8, 42. Seguin 7, 43. Keller Central 6, 44. Beeville Jones 6, 45. El Paso Bowie 5.5, 46. Clute Brazoswood 5, 47. Houston Reagan 4, 48. Amarillo 4, 49. Friendswood Clear Brook 4, 50. Killeen 4, 51. Austin Crockett 4, 52. Amarillo River Road 4, 53. Arlington Sam Houston 4, 54. El Paso Burges 3, 55. Keller Fossil Ridge 3, 56. Houston Sam Houston 3, 57. Pflugerville 3, 58. Houston Cypress Falls 3, 59. El Paso Ysleta 3, 60. El Paso Socorro 2, 61. San Antonio Reagan 2, 62. El Paso Parkland 2, 63. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North 2, 64. Katy Cinco Ranch 2, 65. McAllen Rowe 1, 66. Klein Collins 1, 67. Amarillo Palo Duro 1.


    California

    Imperial senior has made her mark on sport

    By Kevin Gemmell
    UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

    February 23, 2008

    SAN MARCOS – The trail-blazing high school wrestling career of Imperial's Priscilla Caldera came to an end yesterday in the opening session of the two-day San Diego Section Masters Tournament at Mission Hills High.

    Caldera, a senior, was eliminated from the tournament in the second consolation round. A two-time Division IV champion at 103 pounds, she was the first female wrestler in the state to accomplish that feat competing against boys.

    After winning her opening match via pin, she fell to Carlsbad's Daniel Romero, the No. 2 seed, 15-2. In the consolation round, she lost to Thomas Green of Cathedral Catholic.

    “I'm just happy I had the opportunity, and I feel like I made the most out of it,” Caldera said. “It was fun to have a chance to compete with the guys and feel like I could keep up with them.”

    Caldera will continue her wrestling career – against women – next season at Menlo College in San Francisco.

    State champs

    There were several state champions from San Diego around the mats yesterday. Aside from the three coaches – Valhalla's Mark Gerardi (1985, '86 and '87), La Costa Canyon's Dwayne Buth ('89) and Mt. Carmel's Gail Miller ('92) – a pair of Poway state champs, Colton Nichols ('05) and Todd Schavrien ('06), were also among the spectators.

    Schavrien, who wrestles for Arizona State, was in town for surgery on his knee. He said he'll be ready for next month's Pac-10 Tournament.

    Nichols has been working out with Poway heavyweight Sam Cervantes, the tournament's top seed.

    Vista's Anthony Meza, a returning state champ, was on the mat defending his title.

    Quotable

    “I want to tear the score sheet off the wall and send it around the world.” – Valley Center coach Clay Clifford, on his team leading the tournament after the first round (mostly because all of the top seeds had first-round byes and hadn't had an opportunity yet to score team points)

    Hotel hex

    In preparation for next week's state tournament in Bakersfield, Buth booked the La Costa Canyon team in a hotel other than the Holiday Inn attached to Rabobank Arena, where most teams stay. His rationale?

    “Every year we stay at the Best Western, we've had a guy make it to the state finals,” Buth said. “I'm superstitious like that. So we'll see how it goes.”

    LCC's best chance is 103-pounder Bryan Grubbs, who is ranked fourth in the state and should be in the hunt for a title.



    Minnesota


    02/22/2008

    Girl Wrestler Could Make History

    Video

    The Minnesota wrestling individual section tournaments begin Saturday. And in Windom, a young wrestler from Slayton could make history.

    On the mat, for the Fulda/Murray County Central Warriors, the 103-pound wrestler has had a big season. 

    And she isn't about to let her hair down yet. 

    "It's not like wrestling a girl. It's like wrestling another boy who's really tough," says 8th-grade wrestler Austin Kluis.

    Ninth-grader Elissa Reinsma has been proving her toughness to the boys for several years now  — long before that day in 7th grade when it came time to decide on a winter sport. 

    "Okay, I'm going out for wrestling. Then the next day, it was like, okay, I'm going out for basketball," she says.

    The rest of the girls chose basketball. But Elissa chose differently. 
    http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail6371.cfm?Id=0,66735
    "The last day we had to go sign up for a sport and I was going out for basketball then all the sudden I was like… wrestling," she says.

    The choice was the right one, if not always the easiest one. 

    "It's gotten harder. The guys are maturing more and getting bigger and stronger than me," she says.

    But Elissa makes up for that with technical know-how passed down from her Grandpa, a former wrestling coach. And her older brother, who's another star on the Warriors' team. Reinsma has earned her spot. 

    "I mean, I've got three or four 103-pounders in the room right now, but she beats them out," says coach Dan Blankenship.

    And she earned widespread respect last year at the Sioux Falls Roosevelt tournament. With a pin... Another pin...
    And a big victory by decision. First-place at 103 pounds. 

    But Elissa has a bigger goal in mind. 

    "I want to be the first girl to go to state," she says.

    Kluis: I think she can do it.

    Lou Raguse: You hope she does?

    Kluis: I think she will.

    "If it doesn't happen this year, it will happen," Blankenship says.

    She has the support. And the confidence...

    "Oh yeah, yep!" she says.

    That'll she be the first girl — in a sport full of tough young men — to wrestle on the state's biggest stage

    The top two wrestlers at each weight class in this weekend's tournament advance to state. Elissa is ranked third, but believes she can pull an upset.



    California

    Live Oak, Sobrato wrestlers prepare for postseason tourneys

    Feb 22, 2008
     By Scott Adams - Sports Editor
    Phil Luna is fond of two things: his hair and winning.

    Hence, Sobrato's wrestling coach found the perfect motivational tool for his grapplers, heading into last weekend's Blossom Valley Athletic League Finals.

    "I told them if they get more than eight guys into CCS, they can either shave my head or dye it," he said.

    Time to start shopping for a hat, coach.

    Much to Luna's pleasant - but unfortunate - surprise, Sobrato qualified nine wrestlers for the CIF-Central Coast Section tournament, which started today at 9 a.m., and continues Saturday at Independence High School. The Bulldogs' entries included six first-time qualifiers, plus CCS veterans Joseph Redmond - a second-timer, and Michael McChesney and Victor Gillespie, who both are making their third appearances.

    Sobrato took seventh place at BVALs and, despite not having any individual titles, set a program milestone for CCS qualifiers.

    "It's the best we've had here," Luna said. "I was satisfied with the finish. Opportunities were there for us to make the top five. We lost a couple close matches we could have won. ... I certainly wasn't disappointed getting nine guys in. We had some guys really step up."

    For Luna, the biggest highlight last weekend came with the Bulldogs' Cinderella qualifiers - Drew Johnson, Justin Harrison, Maycen Gillespie, Tim Henderson and Rafeal Anaya - who finished sixth or seventh in their respective weight classes.

    "That's what it takes to have a good season," Luna said. "It takes guys stepping up and rising to their opportunities."

    As a freshman, Anaya did just that. The 189-pounder took sixth place in his bracket, surprising both his coach and himself.

    "I didn't have high expectations, I just wanted to do my best," Anaya said. "I'm feeling the same this week. I just want to place - beat who I have to beat and make it to state."

    To do so, Anaya has to place even higher at CCS. The tournament allots only four state berths, going to the top finishers in each class.

    "Only the best get to go," said Redmond, who took fourth at BVALs at 103 pounds. "No match is going to be easy."

    Luna had his Bulldogs fine-tuning this week at practice, keeping their technique and health at optimum level.

    "You can't change anything about them this late in the season," Luna said. "We want the guys to be physically fit and ready to go."

    Last week's BVAL practice at Silver Creek High School gave the Sobrato wrestlers a preview of what's to come. For some, it was an eye-opening experience.

    "It had to be one of the hardest practices of the year," said Justin Harrison (140 pounds), who finished sixth at BVALs. "I got to practice with two No. 1 seeds in CCS, so I definitely learned a thing or two."

    Victor Gillespie said BVAL practice did wonders for him during his previous CCS runs.

    "The best part about it was wrestle guys from other schools," he said. "Sometimes when you practice with the same people over and over again, you get in a routine and get too used to beating them and start taking it easy."

    Gillespie finished second in league at 171 pounds while Maycen, his younger brother, took seventh at 145 pounds.

    Victor matched McChesney for the team's best individual showing at BVALs. McChesney finished second at 119 pounds.

    "I'm proud of it, but I would have liked to have taken first," McChesney said. "My expectations are just like the other guys' this week: qualify for state."

    And on Sobrato's nine qualifiers:

    "What can I say - we've got good coaches."

    Live Oak's sibling wrestlers Steven and Moriah Fernandez joined Sobrato for practice Wednesday, preparing for upcoming tournaments.

    Steven, a sophomore, became the Acorns' lone CCS qualifier with a second-place finish at BVALs.

    "I was satisfied with that," he said. "I'm expecting to place at CCS."

    Moriah, the reigning girls state champion at 138 pounds, is wrestling in two USGWA tournaments before nationals in mid-March.

    "I have high expectations," she said. "I expect to do very well at nationals. ... I've had a great year."
     



    California

    Vallejo's Fernandez makes history against boys in Stockton

    By SIMON JUDE SAMANO/Times-Herald sports writer
    Article Launched: 02/22/2008 08:34:51 AM PST

    STOCKTON - There was the guy who shredded paper rankings and threw them out the door, the guy who experienced redemption after a year of suffering, the guy who lived on the edge all day long, and the guy who stayed on course.

    And then there was the girl yes, the girl - who made history.

    Indeed, day one of the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters meet was filled with intrigue, as seven area wrestlers kept their hopes alive on Thursday at University of the Pacific.

    Hogan High's Justin Azarias (125) and Stuart Yocum (140) and Bethel's Matt Gibson (215) and Devin "Chop" Bryant (275) assured themselves a spot at the state meet by going 3-0 and advancing to today's semifinals.

    Hogan's Terry Allen (112) and Ray Hoover (145) and Bethel's DeVaughn Frazier (189) lost their quarterfinal matches but remain in contention in the consolation bracket after each posted a 2-1 record.

    Azarias, ranked seventh in the section, defeated No. 3 Vince Waldhauser of Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills by a 16-6 major decision in the quarterfinals, earning himself a match with top-seed and the state's No. 1 ranked Kody Klaus of Vacaville.

    Much like the first day and beating a higher seed, Azarias could care less about squaring off against the state's best.

    "When you step on the mat, rankings go away," Azarias said. "You go out there and wrestle how you wrestle and how you were taught."

    Added Spartans coach Ric Manibusan: "He's focused. He's making sure that the paper champion doesn't even mean a thing to him."

    When Yocum defeated Franklin-Elk Grove's Matt Rau by major decision 13-4 and assured himself a spot at state, a semblance - and only a semblance - of satisfaction set in.

    It was just last year that Yocum missed out on wrestling due to academic ineligibility. Once that happened, he made a decision to turn things around.

    "When I didn't make it and didn't wrestle the whole last year," Yocum said, "it just killed me. So I just said after I couldn't wrestle anymore that I was going to make a statement. 'I'm going to state, I want to be a state champion, that's my goal.' I'm not quitting. I can't give up."

    As for Bryant, he flirted with disaster all day winning his first two matches in overtime and then narrowly defeating Major Surrell of Sierra Ridge-San Andreas 4-3 in the quarterfinals.

    Close call after close call after close call, it didn't matter to Bryant after he set out and did what he wanted to do, no matter how it happened.

    "From the moment I woke up I was focused," Bryant said. "I just wanted to win three matches, make sure that I went to state. I didn't care who (my opponents) were, what kind of shape they were in, if they were ranked or not. I went out there, and I accomplished it one match at a time like I wanted to do."

    It was business as usual for Gibson, the state's No. 3 ranked wrestler at 215. Gibson pinned his first two opponents before defeating Elliot Lowry of Colfax by technical fall 17-1.

    Gibson, who took fourth at state last year at 189, said he was pleased for the most part with the way he wrestled but is aware of the challenge ahead of him as he'll take on Ponderosa's Dominic DeMarco, the state's No. 2 wrestler, in the semifinals. Should he win it's likely the state's top-ranked 215-pounder, Rudi Burtschi of Oakdale, would await in the finals.

    "It gets a lot tougher now," Gibson said. "But I'm just going to focus, have fun and relax - don't be so uptight."

    The historical aspect of the tournament was about Vallejo's Jennifer Fernandez, who went 1-2 on the day and became the first girl to win a Masters meet match when she defeated Dalton Richardson of Placer-Auburn 3-0.

    "I really, really wanted to (make the second day)," Fernandez said. "I feel good that I made it far, but I wanted to go further."

    The only girl present in a singlet and wrestling shoes, Fernandez admitted that she didn't quite feel right being around all the guys.

    "I felt awkward in the staging area," Fernandez said. "In staging I kept getting looks from the guys like 'Is she really here to wrestle? Or is she here to just watch us?' And I felt awkward."

    People took notice, though, of what the girl was doing.

    "All these state placers, guys that are coaches now," Lastrella said, "they're saying 'Hey, great job Jennifer, way to fight.' That's good in my book. I'm so proud of her."

    By the end of the day, after she lost her final match, Fernandez felt differently.

    "I feel better to know that I got here, and I won a match," Fernandez said. "I feel a little bit now like I belong here."

    Asked whether or not her groundbreaking achievement would do something for girls wrestling - which the CIF is yet to sanction with a state tournament - Fernandez had a simple answer.

    "Yeah, I hope so," she said.

    • E-mail Simon Samano at samano@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6837.




    Canada

    Miller remains perfect

    The Leader-Post

    Published: Friday, February 22, 2008

    The Miller Marauders girls wrestling team defeated the O'Neill Titans 37-15 in Regina High Schools Athletic Association wrestling action on Thursday. The victory has given the Marauders a perfect 12-0 season, and their third straight league championship.

    In other RHSAA girls wrestling action on Thursday the Winston Knoll Wolverines defeated the F.W. Johnson Wildcats 35-15.

    In boys RHSAA wrestling action on Thursday the O'Neill Titans def. the Miller Marauders 51-22, and the Wildcats def. the Wolverines 30-10




    Texas
    City wrestlers to compete in UIL state tournament
    By Matt Johnson / Associated Press
    Article Launched: 02/21/2008 11:34:52 PM MST

    For 40 El Paso area high school wrestlers, the big day finally is here.

    After all that sweat, all those workouts, all the sacrifices to make weight, those 40 young men and women will get to compete at Texas wrestling's biggest event -- the UIL state tournament.

    "If they've never been there before, it's a bigger stage than they've ever seen," Americas coach Ken Jury said. "For a lot of them, just getting there is an accomplishment in itself."

    To get the trip to Austin, wrestlers had to place in the top four at one of the four regional meets held two weeks ago around the state. It takes four matches, four straight victories to win a state title at the meet.

    Americas will take Valerie Rosales from the 165-pound weight class and 140-pound district champ Matthew Zarazua.

    They, along with the 38 other members of the El Paso contingent, can expect the toughest wrestling they've seen all year.

    "There are no easy matches at state," Jury said. "Everybody you wrestle is top of the line."

    Zarazua said during the Bowie Invitational last month that placing at state was his goal for the season -- and now he's one step away.

    "He's really excited about it. He has the potential to do well," Jury said. "It's really going to depend on his draw and if he's on top of his game, but with the practices he's had, I think he'll be ready."

    Franklin will take one girl, 102-pounder Alba Mendoza, and three boys -- Justin Carreon at 103 pounds, Gary Martinez at 112 pounds and Zach Marrott at125 pounds.

    "I'm taking three sophomores and one junior, and I think all of them have a really good shot," Franklin coach Jesse Almodovar said. "They're all really great kids, and I'm not just saying that because I'm their coach, but from what I saw at regionals, I think we can bring home four medals."

    Irvin junior Stephanie Han, one of the El Paso wrestlers carrying very high expectations into the event, said a big part of having success at state is being mentally ready.

    "Going to state, there's more competition there, and you have to be mentally prepared," she said. "There's a lot of pressure, and I get excited and anxious to wrestle."

    Han took fourth at the meet her freshman year, didn't place her sophomore year and is expecting gold this year.

    The 128-pounder is 34-1 on the year, with her only loss coming against a girl from Oklahoma who is one of the top wrestlers in the nation. Han won the regional title and was named the outstanding girls wrestler.

    Matt Johnson may be reached at mjohnson@elpasotimes.com; 546-6166.



    Montana
    Wrestlers claims wins at tournament

    Posted: Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 - 
    09:42:00 am PST

    Sandpoint wrestlers BreAnna Williams and Lily DeAragon both took home first place medals at the USGWA Montana State Tournament in Lockwood, Mont., last Saturday, earning them another state title.

    Williams weighed in at 68 pounds and wrestled in the Elementary Division. She pinned her first opponent in 38 seconds, her second at 1:51, and her last in only 37 seconds.

    DeAragon weighed in at 82 pounds and wrestled in the Middle School Division. She won her first match with a first round pin, her second in a 15-2 major decision, and her third by pin in just19 seconds. She went on the same day to wrestle in the Stars and Stripes Invitational Tournament, which was both boys and girls. She won her first match with a pin by a figure four butterfly with her legs only in the first round. She won her second match 12-11 and then lost 12-4 to the Montana state champion, taking second place in the tournament.

    The girls begin a busy stretch of tournaments, wrestling in Boise this weekend, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, on March 1, Vallejo, Calif., on March 2, Ridgefield, Wash., on March 8, and Portland, Ore., on March 9.



    Canada
    High school results, Feb. 20
    Feb 21, 2008 04:30 AM

    Schools are responsible for reporting home and away same day results with first and last names of scorers for both teams. Call David Grossman at The Star's hotline number 416-869-4394 or toll free at 1-866-249-1387 or email dgrossm@thestar.ca.

    YORK REGION

    Varsity Girls' Wrestling — Champions - 47.5k - Amanda Correia, Father Bressani; 51k - Annie Nikolakakos, Maple; 54k - Sarina Suppa, Father Bressani; 57.5k - Kaklika Thav, Maple; 61k - Kim Drimmel, Keswick; 64k - Michelle Eisner, Bayview; 67.5k - Rosemary Altobelli, Father Bressani; 72k - Julia Carere, Father Bressani; 77k - Melissa Dobrovich, St. Joan of Arc; Heavyweight - Sabrina Altobelli, Father Bressani;


    Texas

    Bucs to tussle for wrestling titles

    By Joel Luna
    The Facts

    Published February 21, 2008

    CLUTE — After a season of hard knocks on the mat three Brazoswood wrestlers have their sights on gold medals in Austin.

    Jammal Bufford will represent the 171-pound class for the Bucs, Ashley Wilkes will be in the 110 category along with Victoria Hill in the 119s for the Lady Bucs as they compete Friday in the state meet.

    Bufford (50-4) finished third at the Region III meet as did Wilkes (28-8) in her division while Hill (27-8) was the Region III runner-up. Joanie Cortez qualified in the 148s as well and it could have marked the first time that Brazoswood had qualified four for the state meet. However Cortez will not be making the trek to Austin.

    “Joanie, she’s got a medical issue and is under doctor orders to not compete,” Brazoswood coach Bill Baker said. “She’s been wrestling hard up to this point, but is only a junior and has another year to get back at it.”

    The state meet will take place at the Austin ISD’s Delco Center beginning at 9 a.m. Friday with the boys matches. The girls will follow at noon.

    The girls championship matches are slated for a 3 p.m. start on Saturday, followed by the boys at 6 p.m.

    “I believe Jammal’s matches are all winnable, but we have to bring it,” Baker said. “He’s had a good week of practice and is prepared.

    “For Ashley and Victoria, if we are going on their determination alone they’d both be state champions. Both are focused and leave everything on the mat. They are setting a precedent for the girl wrestlers in the coming years.”

    Bufford will kick off the meet against Region I wrestler Julian Pena (40-10) from El Paso Eastwood. Bufford is familiar with Pena, pinning him in a match in December.

    “I’ve wrestled the first guy and I’ve beaten him and the second guy (Ben Robinson) I’ve seen him,” Bufford said. “The guy that I might get in the semis (Jordan Park) has beaten me by one point each time. So I would like to get him back and beat him at state.”

    If Bufford gets by Pena in the first round he will face the winner between Robinson (33-2) and Daniel Moore (27-5).

    The combined record for the 171 class at state is 527 wins and 80 losses. Of the 16 wrestlers six have fewer than four losses, including Bufford. He feels pretty confident going into the meet.

    “It is the hardest region in the state and I think I’ve seen the best in the state already” Bufford said. “So I should be fine with anybody else because I’ve gone up against the hardest competition all year, so it’s just another tournament.”

    Only Southlake Carroll’s Stephen McPeek (26-1) and San Antonio Roosevelt’s John Phillips (29-1) have one loss going into the meet.

    A four-year wrestler for the Bucs, Bufford is making his first appearance in Austin.

    “I think that second round will be a telling match and if we get through that one we are done for the day,” Baker said. “We’ll come back Saturday and get a shot at Jordan Park, and we do have two losses to him but both were very close and intense matches.”

    Wilkes also is a four-year wrestler with the Lady Buc program and will open up against Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial’s Ianelli Escobedo (26-3).

    “I’ve made region every single year but this is the first year I am a finalist,” Wilkes said. “The only competition that I’ve faced this year is Taylor Busboom.”

    Busboom (38-0) from Klein is the only unbeaten wrestler in the 110s, but Wilkes isn’t too worried about who she will face in the meet.

    “I don’t go look at my competition until I step on the line,” Wilkes said. “It doesn’t let you psyche yourself out, so you just go out there and take what they give you. I’ve been at this weight since I started but you have to be self-disciplined to cut weight because you have to make weight every time.”

    If Wilkes gets by Escobedo she will face either Frisco Centennial’s Emily Martin (41-2) or El Paso Yseleta’s Delialah Perez (24-6). Martin is the No. 1 seed from Region 2 while Perez came in fourth in Region 1.

    Hill made a drastic change after wrestling in the 128 division the whole season when in the District 24-5A meet she came down in weight to 119.

    “I was worried about not making it down to 119 but I ended up making it,” Hill said. “I was also nervous because I thought they were going to be quicker than me, but it turned out pretty good.”

    Hill opens the state meet going up against Converse Wagner’s Vanessa Gruver (22-4). The winner faces unbeaten Arlington Lamar’s Mia Provence (30-0) or El Paso Andress’ Erica Slacido (26-13).

    “I am so pleased with both of them and so happy for them because they finally got here as seniors,” Baker said of the girl wrestlers. “I am concerned with Victoria and her ankle, but it is time to put that tape on there and forget about it. She has the rest of the year to heal up. They both have pretty good draws in their brackets and are in good shape and ready to go.”

    The top three wrestlers in each weight class will receive a medal and the top two teams will receive trophies.


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