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Lady Viking grapplers making more waves

11/01/01
By Chris Allen/Sports Editor

It appears the impact of Missouri Valley College on women’s wrestling is growing exponentially.

The third trip in as many years to the Sunkist International Open at Tempe, Ariz., over the weekend produced another gold medal for junior Clarissa Chun – who notched a 5-0 decision over Minnesota-Morris freshman Katrina Betts in the 46 kilogram finals.

Once again, sophomore Tonya Evinger took home a silver after succumbing to top-ranked Lock Haven (Pa.) senior Sara McMann by technical fall in the 62 Kg championship bout.

Even after battling a neck injury for the past year, senior Malissa Sherwood won all three 56 Kg pool matches – defeating No. 1 Erin Tomeo of Lock Haven, 4-0 – before falling out in the quarterfinals.

The Lady Vikings had won the team trophy at Sunkist during their first two appearances, but only sent three to the event due to the program’s far-flung commitments.

Valley’s net is being cast into international competition, due to the withdrawal of a pair of Team USA members from the Women’s World Championships – to be held Nov. 22-25 in Sofia, Bulgaria, postponed from the scheduled meet in New York City’s Madison Square Garden last month due to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

The two national team members, Iris Smith (75 Kg) and Tina George (56 Kg), pulled out after joining the U.S. Army – setting up special wrestle-offs for their spots, both of which should involve Lady Vikings.

Already slated for the 75 Kg showdown is third-ranked Valley junior Melanie Macari-Montierth, who will renew a rivalry with Sandra Bacher of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club which has more often as not tilted in Macari’s favor.

No official announcement has been made as to the 56 Kg contest, but second-ranked MVC junior Carrie Birge would be in line for a shot. Birge, according to head coach Mike Machholz, will likely skip the event because of academic commitments – throwing the door open for No. 3 Sherwood, possibly in a rematch with Tomeo.

“From USA Wrestling’s perspective, it gives them out-of-country experience,” Machholz said explaining the significance of the meet, especially in light of the introduction of women’s wrestling to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. “It gives them extremely valuable international competition.”

There are also financial ramifications to USA Wrestling. A good showing at the World Championships may enhance the U.S. Olympic Committee’s funding of the sport.

Lady Vikings are getting more international mat time this weekend in Livonia, France, a Paris suburb. Chun, Birge and Macari are representing the U.S. in the World Cup, a team dual match competition.

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