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2001 U.S. Women's National Wrestling Championships preview

3/29/01
Heather Van Peursem/USA Wrestling

The 2001 U.S. National Championships provides top women wrestlers the chance to identify themselves against the nation’s best. Many new stars have risen to success on the Senior women's level and will arrive in Las Vegas thinking of upsets. A weight-by-weight preview of the U.S. Women's Nationals follows.

101.25 pounds

Four-time World Champion Tricia Saunders continues to dominate, setting an example for the women wrestling heroes of the future. Saunders has never lost to an American opponent, and looks to extend her record of ten U.S. National titles with another victory this year.

The new star on the scene is college wrestler Clarrisa Chun, who lost to Saunders in the finals of the 2000 U.S. Nationals and competed in the 2000 World Championships. Veteran Julie Gonzalez has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation, and is always a threat. High school star Mary Kelly is expected to contend. Others with talent are Sandra Padron, Lisa Ward, Danielle Hobeika and Lindsay Torrance.

112.25 pounds

Stephanie Murata, who placed fourth in the World Championships in 1998 and 1999, has won four straight U.S. National titles. Patricia Miranda won a silver medal at the 2000 World Championships and will be a strong challenger once again to claim the national title. Jenny Wong has won three of the four tournament she entered this past year and will be a threat. High school stars Melina Hutchison and Jessica Shirley are talented. Amy Alvaro, Shelley-Ann Tomita, Katie Kunimoto and Marianne Volmer will also come to the U.S. Nationals with upsets on their minds.

123.25 pounds

Tina George-Wilson placed sixth in the 1999 World Championships and has been on a number of World Team, but is still in the hunt for her first U.S. Nationals title. Her top challengers are veteran Malissa Sherwood, who has been national runner-up many times, and high school star Erin Tomeo.

Carrie Birge and Tela O'Donnell are new contenders, while veteran Grace Magnussen is also competing well on the Senior level this year. Aimee McNab, a top challenger in recent years, looks to improve. College wrestlers Cheryl New and Sarah Devers have been impressive. Others to watch include age-group talents Katrina Betts and Erin Kelly.

136.5 pounds

The hottest star at 136.5 pounds is the 2000 World Team Trials champion Sara McMann. She was named Outstanding Wrestler when she won her first U.S. Nationals title in 2000. She has won every tournament she has entered this season. Right behind her is the sensationl Tonya Evinger, who placed at the 2000 U.S. Nationals to McMann and will be looking to upset this year.

College stars Tina Arnds and Sally Roberts will look to impress as well. Veteran Lauren Lamb has competed on many U.S. World Teams, and will be a serious threat if she returns to this weight class. Veteran Jimi-Dawn Hornbuckle, a national champion in 1998, is always in the hunt. Others who will be in the race include Cathilee Albert, Tori Adams, Cindy Herceg and Joy Warren.

149.75 pounds

Kristie Marano moved down from 165.25 pounds last year and became a World Champion. She is also a four-time World silver medalist at the higher weight class. She will seek her fifth U.S. Nationals title, but may have to get by 1999 World Champion Sandra Bacher, who made history by becoming only the second U.S. woman to win a World title. Bacher now owns three career World medals. Marano beat Bacher in a Special Wrestle-off this fall for the No. 1 spot on Team USA.

Rising star Toccara Montgomery holds the No. 3 spot and has won three international tournaments this season, including victories over Bacher. Veteran Katie Downing was a 1999 Junior World medalist and has had a great season. Kaci Lyle and Elena Mena have been outstanding although still young talents. College wrestlers Melani Macari and Rachel Glogowski are both serious threats, as is Teri Kleinberg.

165.25 pounds

When Marano dropped to 149.75 pounds last year, the top spot went to Iris Smith, who has improved steadily and has had success on international tours. Smith was U.S. Nationals champion last year and competed in the World meet. College star Satrinina Vernon has put the pressure on Smith in many tournaments this season and is the biggest threat for the U.S. Nationals title.

Dominique Smalley, a former U.S. Nationals runner-up, also has solid experience. College wrestlers Samantha Branka and Alison Patrick should make an impact. The Mena sisters from Minnesota, Elena and Alicia, have been successful in major events, and Elena has competed at this weight in recent tournaments. Donell Bradley and Sarah Torbert has also shown promise.

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USA Wrestling announces 2001 preseason age-group women’s freestyle rankings

3/28/01
Heather Van Peursem/USA Wrestling

Each year, USA Wrestling presents its annual age-group national rankings in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. These rankings are prepared to reward athletes for their success in past USA Wrestling events, and encourage their participation in this year’s series of major competitions.

The freestyle rankings for women were developed under the direction of Mike Duroe, USA Wrestling’s Freestyle Developmental Coach. Duroe was recently named USA Wrestling’s Freestyle Resident Coach, and the National Women’s head coach.

USA Wrestling hosts a series of regional and national events at each age level. In addition, there is a World Team Trials event on the FILA Junior level for both men and women, which determine the athletes who will compete at the 2001 Junior World Championships.

The FILA Cadet age level includes athletes who are 15-17 years old. The Women’s FILA Cadet National Championships are set for June 1-3 in Dayton, Ohio. Returning champions include Erica Dye of West Virginia (94), Sara Fulp-Allen of California (101), Malinda Ripley of California (108), Brooke Bogren of Kansas (114), Brandy Rosenbrock of Michigan (121) and Devin Kelly of Pennsylvania (143).

The FILA Junior World age level includes athletes from 17-20 years old. FILA, the international federation, hosts a World Championships at this age group each year.

The FILA Junior Nationals and World Team Trials for women will be in Dayton, Ohio, June 1-3. The champions from this event will be eligible to represent the United States at the FILA Junior World Championships in Martigny, Switzerland, Aug. 16-19. Returning champions include Mary Kelly of Illinois (94.75), Clarrisa Chun of Hawaii (101.25), Melina Hutchison of Alaska (110), Erin Tomeo of Pennsylvania (119), Carrie Birge of Nebraska (127.75), Toccara Montgomery of Ohio (149.75) and Dominque Smalley of Iowa (165.25).

The University level includes athletes who are 18-24 years old, whose class has graduated high school. The University Nationals for both men and women will be hosted at Northwestern Univ. in Evanston, Ill., Evanston, Ill., March 28-April 1.

Women’s champions who are eligible to return are Tina George-Wilson of Colorado (123.25), Sara McMann of Pennsylvania (136.5), Kristie Marano of New York (149.75) and Iris Smith of Colorado (165.25).

Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling’s Director of Special Projects, has recently been assigned to work on the development of women’s wrestling. Contact him with any questions or needs concerning the Women’s age-group programs at 719-598-8181, or via email at gabbott@usawrestling.org

2001 WOMEN’S AGE-GROUP FREESTYLE RANKINGS

FILA CADET
(1984-85, 1986 with medical certificate)

83 - none ranked

88 - none ranked

94 - 1. Erica Dye (WV); 2. Tabitha Coffey (CA); 3. Maika Watanabe (CA)

101 - 1. Sara Fulp Allen (CA); 2. Melissa Moore (CA); 3. Deanna Rix (ME); 4. Lenci Landacker (CA)

108 - 1. Malinda Ripley (CA); 2. Veronica Martinez (NM); 3. Keristen LaBelle (MI); 4. Lindsay Baltusaitis (MI)

114 - 1. Brooke Bogren (KS); 2. Teresa Dalben (CA); 3. Lindsey Orabona (NC); 4. Sara Bergman (MN); 5. Jennifer Smith (SC); 6. Rachel Monroe (IN); 7. Emily Rinehart (CA)

123 - 1. Brandy Rosenbrock (MI); 2. Alaina Berube (MI); 3. Suzanne Kivi (NV); 4. Evin Murphy (NC) ; 5. Tiffany West (IN); 6. Erica Montoya (CA)

132 - 1. Wendy Casey (NY); 2. Monica Clay (IN); 3. Alisha Kreisel (MN); 4. Dana Kearney (FL); 5. Jammi Johnson (MN); 6. Anna Matteson (NC)

143 - 1. Devin Kelly (PA); 2. Heather Martin (OH); 3. Hanna Robbins (WA); 4. Dawn Schweiderwent (WI)

154 - 1. Melyssa Faqua (MA); 2. Elizabeth DeRoy (CA); 3. Angela Bergman (MN); 4. Monique Patino (CA); 5. Tricia Mora (NV)

FILA JUNIOR
(1981-83, 1984 with medical certificate)

94.75 - 1. Mary Kelly (IL); 2. Lindsay Torrance (CA); 3. Eric Dye (WV); 4. Tabitha Coffey (CA)

101.25 - 1. Clarissa Chun (HI); 2. Lisa Ward (WA); 3. Sandra Padron (MI); 4. Rachel Bernardes (NJ); 5. Jennifer Donahoe (MN); 6. Micah Kelly (PA); 7. Arielle Bradbury (WA); 8. Rachel Salazar (CA)

110 - 1. Jenny Wong (MN); 2. Melina Hutchison (AK); 3. Jessica Shirley (OH); 4. Katie Kunimoto (KY); 5. Shelley-Ann Tomita (HI); 6. Marianne Volmer (MI); 7. Amy Alvaro (NY); 8. Cheryl Wong (NY)

119 - 1. Erin Tomeo (PA); 2. Tela O’Donnell (AK); 3. Katrina Betts (MI); 4. Jessica Bixby (NY); 5. Brook Bogren (KS); 6. Elizabeth Domagas (CA); 7. Teresa Dalbert (CA); 8. Brook Hareema (CA)

127.75 - 1. Carrie Birge (NE); 2. Cathilee Albert (CO); 3. Lisa Bisers (PA); 4. Rosaria DeCola (MI); 5. Brandi Rosenbrock (MI); 6. Lauren Alderson (TX); 7. Michelle Domegas (CA); 8. Sara Tolin (WY)

138.75 - 1. Megan Andrews (CA); 2. Tori Adams (TX); 3. Peggy Vandemark (MN); 4. Megan McHattie (MN); 5. Brandy Beayon (VT); 6. Jessica Martin (MI); 7. Devin Kelly (PA); 8. Rebekka DeCola (MI)

149.75 - 1. Toccara Montgomery (OH); 2. Katie Downing (IN); 3. Kaci Lyle (CA); 4. Melanie Macari (CA); 5. Elena Mena (MN); 6. Teri Kleinberg (CA); 7. Jenna Pavlik (DE); 8. Reeah Winkle (CA)

165.25 - 1. Dominique Smalley (IA); 2. Alicia Mena (MN); 3. Allison Patrick (ID); 4. Donell Bradley (HI); 5. Samantha Branka (MI); 6. Wendy Hunter (OH); 7. Ann Gerlach (MN); 8. Jennifer Welch (TX)

UNIVERSITY
(1977-1983, H.S. class must have graduated)

101.25 - 1. Clarissa Chun (HI); 2. Julie Gonzalez (CA); 3. Angela Hesener (MI); 4. Lindsay Torrance (CA); 5. Lisa Ward (WA); 6. Sandra Padron (MI); 7. Chrystal Brown (CO); 8. Rachel Bernardes (NJ)

112.25 - 1. Patricia Miranda (CA); 2. Jenny Wong (MN); 3. Shelley-Ann Tomita (HI); 4. Kate Kunimoto (KY); 5. Marianne Volmer (MI); 6. Amy Alvaro (MO); 7. Casey Baranoski (MI); 8. Janelle Curtis (IL)

123.25 - 1. Tina George-Wilson (CO); 2. Carrie Birge (NE); 3. Cheryl New (OR); 4. Leigh Jaynes (HI); 5. Aimee McNab (WI); 6. Sarah Hayes (CO); 7. Karina Chin (CA); 8. Michelle Domegas (CA)

136.5 - 1. Sara McMann (PA); 2. Tonya Evinger (MO); 3. Tina Arnds (AZ); 4. Tori Adams (TX); 5. Joy Warren (KY); 6. Megan Andrews (CA); 7. Lauwa’e Smith (HI); 8. Sally Roberts (WA)

149.75 - 1. Kristie Marano (NY); 2. Toccara Montgomery (OH); 3. Melanie Macari (CA); 4. Katie Downing (IN); 5. Kaci Lyle (CA); 6. Rachel Glowgowski (PA); 7. Teri Kleinberg (CA); 8. Chandell Knox (MN)

165.25 - 1. Satrinina Vernon (CA); 2. Iris Smith (CO); 3. Dominique Smalley (IA); 4. Allison Patrick (ID); 5. Donell Bradley (HI); 6. Ann Gerlach (MN); 7. Samantha Branka (MN); 8. Sarah Van Skaik (KY)