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Tomeo, Sherwood qualify for the finals of the Special Wrestle-off for the 123.25-pound position on the U.S. Women's World Team in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 6

11/6/2001
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

Erin Tomeo (Volant, Pa./Sunkist Kids) and Malissa Sherwood (Rocklin, Calif./Missouri Valley College) won their semifinal matches and qualified for the finals of the Special Wrestle-off for the 123.25-pound position on the U.S. Women's World Team in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 6.

The athletes will have a best-of-three series to determine who will represent the USA at the World Championships.

Tomeo was the 2001 U.S. National Championships runner-up and the 2001 University Nationals champion, and is a student at Lock Haven Univ

Sherwood defeated her college teammate Grace Magnussen, Walnut Creek, Calif. (Missouri Valley College), 9-0 in the semifinals. Sherwood opened the match with a three-point bodylock and never trailed.

Sherwood was injured during the 2001 season and did not compete in the U.S. Nationals or World Team Trials. She has placed second in the U.S. Nationals five times during her career.

Magnussen placed third in the 2001 Women's World Team Trials, qualifying for Women's Team USA.

Tomeo scored an 11-0 technical fall over Jessi Shirley, Galion, Ohio (Cumberland College), in 5:39. Tomeo led 2-0 at the mid-break, then opened it up with takedowns and turns in the second period.

In the opening quarterfinal match, Shirley pinned Brandy Rosenbrock (Warren, Mich./Shamrocks) in just 49 seconds to advance to the semifinals.

Shirley locked up a cradle from a front-headlock position, then drove Rosenbrock to the mat for a takedown, then powered her over to her back for the fall.

Shirley is a freshman at Cumberland College, and placed seventh at the 2001 U.S. World Team Trials at this weight class. Rosenbrock, a senior at East Detroit High School in Michigan, was a member of the 2001 U.S. Junior World Team.

The competition is being held in Gym #9 of Sports Center II at the U.S. Olympic Training. The Session time for the second match of the finals series is at 2:00 p.m.. Spectators may attend the Special Wrestle-off free of charge.

The Special Wrestle-off became necessary when World Team member Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) notified USA Wrestling that she will not be able to compete at the 2001 Women's World Championships. George has joined the U.S. Army, and has started her basic training assignment.

The Women's World Championships were originally scheduled for Madison Square Garden in New York City, Sept. 26-29. Due to the terrorist attacks on the United States, the event was postponed. It has been rescheduled to take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 22-25.

WOMEN'S WORLD TEAM WRESTLE-OFF AT 123.25 LBS.
Play-by-plays of each match

Championship Finals Series Match #1

Championship Finals Series Finals Match #2 at 2:00 p.m.

Championship Finals Series Match #3 (if necessary) at 2:45 p.m.

Semifinal - Malissa Sherwood, Rocklin, Calif. (Missouri Valley College) dec. Grace Magnussen, Walnut Creek, Calif. (Missouri Valley College), 9-0
1st period
Slip-throw by Sherwood, 1:49
Sherwood, 3 pt. bodylock to exposure, 0:32 left, 3-0 Sherwood
Sherwood, 1 pt. For holding back exposure, 0:11 left, 4-0 Sherwood
2nd period
Sherwood, 1 pt. counter takedown, 2:15 left, 5-0 Sherwood
Sherwood, 3 pt. hip toss, 1:12 left, 8-0 Sherwood
Sherwood, 1 pt. takedown, 0:18 left, 9-0 Sherwood

Semifinal - Erin Tomeo, Volant, Pa. (Sunkist Kids) won by tech. fall over Jessi Shirley, Galion, Ohio (Cumberland College), 11-0, 5:39
1st period
Tomeo, 1 pt. spin behind takedown, 2:10 left, 1-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 1 pt. spin behind takedown, 1:23 left, 2-0 Tomeo
2nd period
Tomeo, 1 pt. single leg takedown, 2:32 left, 3-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. leg ride tilt, 2:14 left, 5-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 1 pt. for holding back exposure, 2:04 left, 6-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. crotch lift, 1:35 left, 8-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 1 pt. spin behind takedown, 0:29 left, 9-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. power half tilt, 0:21 left, 11-0 Tomeo

Quarterfinal - Jessi Shirley, Galion, Ohio (Cumberland College) pin Brandy Rosenbrock, Warren, Mich. (Shamrocks), 0:49
1st period
Shirley, cradle to takedown, 1-0, 2:21 left
Shirley, cradle to fall, 2:11 left

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Tomeo beats Sherwood, two match to none, in finals of Special Wrestle-off for the 123.25-pound position on the U.S. Women's World Team

11/6/2001
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

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Erin Tomeo (Volant, Pa./Sunkist Kids) defeated Malissa Sherwood (Rocklin, Calif./Missouri Valley College), two match to none, in the championship series of the Special Wrestle-off for the 123.25-pound position on the U.S. Women's World Team in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 6.

Tomeo won the best-of-three series and will represent the USA at the World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 22-25. The competition was held in Gym #9 of Sports Center II at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Tomeo won the first match of the series, 8-3. She opened the bout with a three-point underhook whipover, and led 3-0 at the mid-break. Sherwood tied the bout at 3-3 late in the second period with a three-point headlock. Tomeo immediately stormed back with a three-point throw just 11 seconds later for a 6-3 lead, and scored two more points as time ran out on a counter.

“I thought I was sharp,” said Tomeo after the first match. “I stayed in good position throughout the match.”

Tomeo said that she was not concerned after Sherwood tied the match with the headlock. “I thought, ‘It doesn’t matter; I’m coming back.’ I didn’t let it phase me,” said Tomeo. “I have been blessed with this opportunity. Things worked out, like they should have. It is great to have a second chance, and I’m not taking it for granted.”

In the second match, Tomeo scored a fall with just 13 seconds left, leading by 10 points at the time. Tomeo led 5-0 after the first period, and broke the match open with two counter throws in the second period.

I am very grateful,” said Tomeo after the second win. “I knew I had it in me. I had to find the focus and I did. In this match, I was trying to score one point at a time. I knew she had good throws. I tried to stay in position and take what was there. In the end, I knew she was tired and knew she was going to try her throws.”

“I’m really focused now,” she said. “I am ready to go to the worlds and wrestle like I am capable. I want to go, have a great experience and show the world what I have.”

Sherwood, who was injured during the entire 2001 season, returned to competition this month.

I’m out of shape; I haven’t done anything for a year,” said Sherwood. “I don’t know what I was thinking. My brain told me I could do it, but my body told me I couldn’t. She is a good candidate for the team, because she has been training well. My body is not working to its ability yet. I thought I’d come here and test myself. Obviously, I am not back yet.”

The Special Wrestle-off became necessary when World Team member Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) notified USA Wrestling that she will not be able to compete at the 2001 Women’s World Championships. George has joined the U.S. Army, and has started her basic training assignment.

The Women’s World Championships were originally scheduled for Madison Square Garden in New York City, Sept. 26-29. Due to the terrorist attacks on the United States, the event was postponed, then rescheduled.

Sherwood qualified for the finals with a 9-0 win over her college teammate Grace Magnussen (Missouri Valley College) in the semifinals. Tomeo advanced with an 11-0 technical fall over Jessi Shirley (Galion, Ohio/Cumberland College).

The event opened with a quarterfinal match, where Shirley pinned Brandy Rosenbrock (Warren, Mich./Shamrocks) in 49 seconds.

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Special Wrestle-off at 56 kg/123.25 lbs.

11/6/2001
USOTC, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Entered by Gary Abbott

Results By Weight
WOMEN'S WORLD TEAM WRESTLE-OFF AT 123.25 LBS.
Championship Finals Series Match #1
Erin Tomeo (Volant, Pa./Sunkist Kids) dec. Malissa Sherwood (Rocklin, Calif./Missouri Valley College), 8-3

1st period
Passivity against Sherwood, 1:33 left
Tomeo, 3 pt. double underhook whipover, 0:25 left, 3-0 Tomeo

2nd period
Passivity against Tomeo, 2:00 left
Sherwood, 3 pt. headlock, 0:39 left, 3-3 tie
Tomeo, 3 pt. back salto, 0:28 left, 6-3 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. counter exposure, 0:03 left, 8-3 Tomeo

Championship Finals Series Finals Match #2
Erin Tomeo (Volant, Pa./Sunkist Kids) pin Malissa Sherwood (Rocklin, Calif./Missouri Valley College), 5:47

1st period
Tomeo, 1 pt. single leg takedown, 2:28 left, 1-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. tilt, 2:25 left, 3-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. crotch lift, 0:37 left, 5-0 Tomeo

2nd period
Sherwood, 1 pt. scramble takedown, 2:45 left, 5-1 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. counter throw to exposure, 1:38 left, 7-1 Tomeo
Tomeo, 1 pt. hold for back exposure, 1:25 left, 8-1 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. counter throw to exposure, 0:25 left, 10-1 Tomeo
Tomeo, 1 pt. hold for back exposure, 0:20 left, 11-1 Tomeo
Tomeo, fall, 0:13 left

TOMEO WINS SERIES, TWO MATCHES TO NONE, AND MAKES U.S. WORLD TEAM.

PRELIMINARY BOUTS
Semifinal - Malissa Sherwood, Rocklin, Calif. (Missouri Valley College) dec. Grace Magnussen, Walnut Creek, Calif. (Missouri Valley College), 9-0

1st period
Slip-throw by Sherwood, 1:49
Sherwood, 3 pt. bodylock to exposure, 0:32 left, 3-0 Sherwood
Sherwood, 1 pt. For holding back exposure, 0:11 left, 4-0 Sherwood
2nd period
Sherwood, 1 pt. counter takedown, 2:15 left, 5-0 Sherwood
Sherwood, 3 pt. hip toss, 1:12 left, 8-0 Sherwood
Sherwood, 1 pt. takedown, 0:18 left, 9-0 Sherwood

Semifinal - Erin Tomeo, Volant, Pa. (Sunkist Kids) won by tech. fall over Jessi Shirley, Galion, Ohio (Cumberland College), 11-0, 5:39

1st period
Tomeo, 1 pt. spin behind takedown, 2:10 left, 1-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 1 pt. spin behind takedown, 1:23 left, 2-0 Tomeo

2nd period
Tomeo, 1 pt. single leg takedown, 2:32 left, 3-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. leg ride tilt, 2:14 left, 5-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 1 pt. for holding back exposure, 2:04 left, 6-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. crotch lift, 1:35 left, 8-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 1 pt. spin behind takedown, 0:29 left, 9-0 Tomeo
Tomeo, 2 pt. power half tilt, 0:21 left, 11-0 Tomeo

Quarterfinal - Jessi Shirley, Galion, Ohio (Cumberland College) pin Brandy Rosenbrock, Warren, Mich. (Shamrocks), 0:49

1st period
Shirley, cradle to takedown, 1-0, 2:21 left
Shirley, cradle to fall, 2:11 left