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Twenty-two champions crowned at the 2001 Sunkist Open
10/28/2001
Meredith Witulski/USA Wrestling
Competition at the 17th annual Sunkist Kids/ASU Open wrapped up this afternoon with 22 champions crowned.
The Men’s Freestyle category offered up exciting final bouts, with the United States capturing five titles, while Canada came away with two champions.
At 54 kg., 2001 World Team member Stephan Abas (USA) won with a 4-0 decision over Alexis Vila (USA).
Saelo Azarbayjami (CAN) took home the title at 58 kg. with a tech fall Evan Larkin (USA), 12-2 in 4:10.
At 63 kg. Eric Larkin (USA) won a close decision 5-4 over Jamill Kelly (USA).
2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Daniel Igali (CAN) also took the Sunkist gold with an overtime fall over 2001 World Team member Chris Bono (USA) in 6:08.
At 76 kg. Donny Pritzlaff (USA) captured the top prize with a decisive win over Wade Elliot (CAN), 7-0.
Randy Pugh (USA) also took top honors in the 85 kg. weight class with a 4-2 decision over Aaron Simpson (USA).
At 97 kg. Daniel Cormier (USA) claimed the gold with a fall over Dean Schmeichel (CAN) in 2:36.
Tolly Thompson (USA) was the champion at 130 kg. with a tech fall Kellan Fluckinger (USA), 10-0 in 2:07.
The Greco-Roman wrestlers also offered up some intense finals matches, with a much-anticipated matchup between Jim Gruenwald and Dennis Hall at 58 kg.
In a tough-fought battle, Dennis Hall (USA) captured the title with a 5-0 overtime decision over 2001 World Team member James Gruenwald (USA).
At 54 kg. Michael Santos (USA) captured top prize with an 8-4 decision over Brady Jones (USA).
Darnell Lollis (USA), who wrestled back following a first round loss to his finals opponent, took the title at 63 kg. with an 8-5 overtime decision over James Shillow (USA).
Faruk Sahin (USA) captured the gold at 76 kg. with a tech fall Brian Van Hoven (USA), 10-0 in 2:20.
At 76 kg., TC Danzler (USA) was the champion with a decisive 10-3 decision over Kenneth Cook (USA).
Brad Vering (USA) took home the top prize at 85 kg. with a 3-2 overtime decision over . Aaron Sieracki (USA).
At 97 kg. Ross Thatcher (USA) was the winner by injury default over Sean Hage (USA).
Because of a limited pool the 130 kg. weight class was wrestled round-robin, with the champion, Brian Keck (USA), being determined by total technical points.
U.S Women wrestlers captured four of six Sunkist titles this year.
At 46 kg. , Clarissa Chun (USA) took top prize with a 4-0 decision over Katrina Betts (USA).
Canada’s Lyndsay Belisle (CAN) won the title at 51 kg. with a 5-0 decision over 2001 World Team member Stephanie Murata (USA).
Erica Sharp (CAN) was the champion at 56 kg. with a 3-1 overtime decision over Tonya Verbeck (CAN).
At 62 kg. 2001 World Team member Sara McMann (USA) claimed the championships with a tech fall over Tonya Evinger (USA), 10-0 in 1:37.
2001 World Team member Toccara Montgomery (USA) also was crowned a champion at 68 kg. with a fall over Christine Nordhagen (CAN) in 2:34.
At 75 kg. Jenna Parlik (USA) took top billing with a 9-0 decision over. Elana Mena (USA).
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Top wrestlers advance after first day of competition at the 2001 Sunkist Open
10/27/2001
Meredith Witulski/USA Wrestling
The field of some 300 wrestlers was narrowed after the first day of competition at the 17th annual ASU/Sunkist International Open wrestling tournament in Phoenix, Ariz.
A total of 305 wrestling are competing in this year’s competition in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women’s Freestyle, including athletes from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. For the first time, the tournament is offering cash prizes awarded to the top three wrestlers in each weight class. Champions will each receive $1,000, with second place and third place finishers earning $500 and $250, respectively.
They key weight class to watch on the Greco side is 58 kg., where the field includes 2000 Olympian and 2001 World Team member Jim Gruenwald, former World Champion Dennis Hall, and 2001 Junior National Champion Cam Jones
Cam Jones (USA) tech falled Marlos Jeantete (USA), 12-0 in 1:14 and won by injury default over Camilo Gonzalez (USA) to advance out of his pool.
James Gruenwald (USA) tech falled Steven Szilva (USA), 10-0 in 1:43 and Erin Kowal (USA), 10-0 in 3:52 to win his pool.
Dennis Hall (USA) tech falled all the opponents in his weight class, including Willie Madison (USA), 12-0 in 1:08; Mervin Ford (USA), 11-1 in 1:32; and Jose Nieves (USA), 12-0 in :45.
Jones will face Gruenwald in the semi finals, while Hall’s semi final opponent has not yet been determined.
The 69 kg. freestyle weight class also has the potential for an exciting final. Both 2001 Olympic Champion Daniel Igali of Canada and 2001 World Team member Chris Bono (USA) have advanced to the semi finals.
Daniel Igali (CAN) tech falled both his pool opponents, including Andrew Shuler (USA) in :42, and Dana Holland (USA), 10-0 in 1:56. The defeated James Medeiros (USA), 10-2 in the quarter finals to advance to the semis where he will face Neal Ewers (CAN).
In pool competition Chris Bono (USA) defeated Danny Brown (USA), 6-2 and tech falled Joey Ortiz (USA), 12-1 in 5:25 to win his pool. In the quarter finals Bono won a 6-0 decision over Chris Ayers (USA) to advance to the semi finals where he will face Jason Peters (USA).
A total of 68 women are competing in the Women’s Freestyle competition this year, including 2001 World Team members Stephanie Murata at 51 kg.; Sara McMann at 62 kg.; and Toccara Montgomery at 68 kg..
Murata tech falled both her pool opponents, including Catherine Migita (USA), 11-0 in 1:50, and Danielle Hobeika (USA), 10-0 in 3:42, to advance to the semi finals.
Pool competition for Sara McMann (USA) will continue today. McMann had two matches yesterday incuding a fall over Peggy Vandemark (USA) in 1:02; and a fall over Emilee Murphee (USA) in 2:36.
Toccara Montgomery (USA) also will continue pool competition today. Her one match yesterday resulted in a fall over Meg Dolan (CAN) in 1:27.
Competition resumes again at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 28.
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First Annual Women's World Cup to be held in Levallois, France, Nov. 2-4
10/23/2001
Heather Van Peursem/USA Wrestling
The first annual women’s World Cup will be held in Levallois, France, Nov. 2-4, just outside of Paris. The tournament will be held in conjunction with the Greco-Roman World Cup at the Marcel Cerdan Sports Center.
Countries competing in the Women’s World Cup are the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Russia, France and Tunisia. These are among the best women’s wrestling teams in the world, and will include numerous World medalists. Weigh-ins will be held on Friday, Nov. 2 and the competition will be Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 4.
Heading the line-up for the U.S. is 2000 World Silver Medalist Patricia Miranda (Stanford, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 112.25 pounds. Five-time World Team member Lauren Lamb (Troy, N.Y./Michigan WC) will compete at 136.5 pounds. Lamb placed fifth in the 1995, 1997 and 1999 World Championships. The 1999 U.S.
Women’s team won the team World Championship.
Other National Team members competing for the United States include Clarissa Chun (Kapolei, Hawaii/Missouri Valley College) at 101.25 pounds, Katie Downing (Pendleton, Ind./UM-Morris) at 149.75 pounds and Melanie Macari (Fremont, Calif./Missouri Valley College) at 165.25 pounds.
Chun won a silver medal at the 2001 Pan American Championships and is ranked second in her weight class. Downing is a 1999 Junior World Silver Medalist and is on the U.S. National Team for her third year. Macari is ranked third at 165.25 pounds and is on the National Team for the first time. She was the 2001 Missouri Valley International Open champion and the 2000 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion.
The coaches are Thomas Bailey of Hailey, Idaho and Kent Sherrow of Hermann, Mo.
The position at 123.25 pounds will be announced when it becomes available.
U.S. Women’s team
46 kg/101.25 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Kapolei, Hawaii (Missouri Valley College)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Stanford, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC)
56 kg/123.25 lbs. - Undecided
62 kg/136.5 lbs. - Lauren Lamb, Troy, N.Y. (Michigan WC)
68 kg/149.75 lbs. - Katie Downing, Pendleton, Ind. (UM-Morris)
75 kg/165.25 lbs. - Melanie Macari, Fremont, Calif. (Missouri Valley College)
2001 World Cup of Women’s Wrestling
Levallois, France, Nov. 2-4
SATURDAY, NOV. 3
9 a.m. - 1p.m.
W - Mat 1
Tunisia vs. China
Japan vs. France
Canada vs. Tunisia
W - Mat 3
Russia vs. USA
China vs. Japan
France vs. Russia
4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
W - Mat 1
USA vs. Canada
Tunisia vs. Japan
Russia vs. Tunisia
W - Mat 3
China vs. France
USA vs. China
Canada vs. Japan
SUNDAY, NOV. 4
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
W - Mat 1
France vs. Canada
Russia vs. China
Japan vs. USA
W - Mat 3
USA vs. Tunisia
France vs. Tunisia
Russia vs. Canada
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
W - Mat 1
China vs. Canada
Japan vs. Russia
W - Mat 3
France vs. USA
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Rough and Tumble
Guys, get used to it. Girl wrestlers are here to stay.
by Amanda,15
2001-02-27
Wrestling is one of the toughest and roughest of high school sports, which makes it really popular. No matter what age or sex you are, wrestling is challenging and intense.
You'll find many different ages and weights in wrestling, but who would you not expect to find out on the mat? Probably a girl. But you'd be wrong!
Wrestling is thought of as an all-guy sport, but it's not. Females participate too. The questions that seem to be on the minds of every male wrestler I come across are: "Should she even be here?" and "Can she handle it?"
With stupid questions come stupid answers. Of course she should be here, if she's willing to bleed, sweat and get brushed and bumped.
It's said that guys have bigger muscles than girls do, but that doesn't mean they're stronger. Wrestling isn't just about strength. It's about balance, endurance, skill, and most importantly, heart. If a female wrestler has all of these qualities, of course she can handle it. She may handle it better than the guys. Don't even think twice about it, guys -- she may even beat you.
A female wrestler may be your girlfriend, your best friend or even your crush, but on the mat, she's your enemy and your worst nightmare. You shouldn't treat her any differently than you would wrestling an African American, an Asian or even a disabled person.
One thing you must remember: If she didn't want to wrestle, she wouldn't be competing. Never take it easy on her, no matter what. If you hurt her, you hurt her. If she hurts you, she hurts you.
Why keep female athletes from a sport they know they can excel at? Many different opinions about women wrestling fly around, and it's a touchy subject. But female wrestlers aren't treated any differently at practice, so why should they be treated differently on the mat?
"Should she be here?" shouldn't even be a question.
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What's Stopping You?
ChickClicker Misty, 17, says: "How good you are at a sport has nothing to do with gender."
by Misty, 17
2000-12-06
When I read the article "Cheering and Hating It," I was disappointed to learn that Danielle never actually tried out for football like she wanted to.
I think that no matter what the sport is, if you want to play, you should give it a shot. And I'm not just blowing hot air-I speak from experience.
I'm on my high school's varsity wrestling team, and this is my sixth year wrestling. I'm the only female, although my area's junior high school has one first-year female.
I just wanted to make it clear that how good you are at a sport has nothing to do with gender, It's the amount of skill and dedication you have.
So my advice to any female out there reading this is not to be afraid to try out and/or play a sport just because it's male-dominated. If you want it bad enough, go for it!