POSTED: April 9, 2009
Fan voting is now under way for the first
Buffalo Fan Awards Network (FAN) event honoring local legends from high
school, college and professional sports. The gala event will take place
on Thursday, May 21 at Shea's Performing Arts Center.
Two of Fredonia's athletes are up for two awards each on
buffalofanawards.com. The winners are chosen by the fan's by voting on
the Web site. Each athlete has a profile with photographs and some
video links.
Fredonia wrestler Kenny Betts is a nominee for Male Athlete of
the Year and Wrestler of the Year. Meanwhile, teammate Carlene
Sluberski has a chance to win Female Athlete of the Year and Wrestler
of the Year.
Betts is a two-time state champion, two-time state runnerup,
Western New York's all-time record holder for pins in a season, as well
as second and third place with 39 and 38 respectively.
See FAN AWARDS, Page B2
He is New York State's all-time wins record holder with 269
and he is only the second Section 6 wrestler to become a five-time
sectional champion. He is near the top in the nation with 186 career
pins.
He earned a Proclamation from the Chautauqua County
Legislation officer for Wrestling Accomplishments and a Proclamation
from the State Senator's office for his Wrestling Accomplishments. He
was recently honored by the Chautauqua County Hall of Fame.
Sluberski is a New York State second-place finisher, first
woman in New York State history to place at the state boys' wrestling
tournament, she finished her career with 117 victories (most in New
York State for a woman) and season record of 50-5 (state record for
female wrestlers). She is a two-time state qualifier and 2008 Most
Outstanding Wrestler at State qualifier (first woman to win a Section 6
championship in wrestling).
She has received the Inspirational Award, 2008 Women's
Folk-Style National Champion in Oklahoma City, OK., and 2008 Women's
Free-Style National Champion (Fargo, ND). Sluberski earned a
proclamation from the County Legislation office for her wrestling
accomplishments and attended a Congressional Student Leadership
Conference in 2008.
"I play sports because it challenges me both physically and
mentally," she said. "Sports also generate amazing feelings and
rewards, especially when you succeed, that you can't find anywhere
else."
The Buffalo FAN awards show is produced by Fan Awards Network,
which honors high school, college and professional athletes nationwide
through a network of premier local sports awards show.
Additional information about the Buffalo FAN awards event is
available at FanAwards.com
=====================================================================================
Alaska
Peninsula
Clarion 4/12/09
Hutchison takes 5th
Former Skyview High School wrestler Michaela Hutchison placed
fifth in the U.S. Senior Women's Freestyle Wrestling Championships on
Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
A freshman at Oklahoma City University, Hutchison earlier this
season captured the women's 55-kilogram national championship and then
made history by becoming the first woman to compete in an Oklahoma
men's college dual.
Breaking ground wasn't new to her, though, as she became the
first wrestler in the country to win an individual state high school
championship competing against boys during her sophomore season at
Skyview in 2006.
"She's phenomenal. She is really, really technically sound,
her work ethic is really good, she's tough, she moves real well," OCU
men's and women's wrestling coach Archie Randall said after Hutchison's
first match against a male opponent in February. "She's a great student
and a great kid. She's a pleasure to have on our team."
=============================================================================
Arizona
Senior Sun Devil
wrestler captures her third national crown in as many years
April 11, 2009
2009 U.S. Senior Women's
National Champion Kelsey Campbell
|
TEMPE
- The 2009 Asics U.S. Wrestling Nationals got underway Thursday inside
the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., with two members of
the Arizona State University wrestling program placing among the Top 3
in their respective divisions, including Kelsey
Campbell winning the women’s 59kg (130 lbs.)
national title Thursday.
Campbell,
who won the Women’s Collegiate National Championships in 2008
(59kg) and 2007 (63kg), entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and
won all three of her matches to take the title. She first won a 2-1,
3-0 decision over Nena Garcia (Cumberlands) in the quarterfinals before
scoring a 2-0, 2-0 decision over Natasha Umemoto (Sunkist Kids). In the
finals, she lost the first round, 1-0, before winning the next two,
1-0, 1-0, to upset No. 1 seed Deanna Rix (NYAC) for her first senior
national title.
Nye,
who was unseeded in the event, competed in the 120kg (264.5)
Greco-Roman division and compiled a 4-1 record to place third overall.
He opened the tournament with a pin of Gabe Beauperthy (unattached) in
1:03 before scoring a 0-1, 3-1, 1-0 decision over fourth-seeded David
Arendt Jr. (USMC) in the quarterfinals. Nye then took on Olympian and
top-seeded Dremiel Byers (Army) and fell, 6-0, 1-0 in the semifinals.
In the consolation bracket, Nye bounced back to score a 2-0, 3-0
decision over Mark Simmonds (Air Force) to move into the third place
match where he once again upset No. 4 Arendt Jr., this time taking the
match 2-0, 1-0.
Both
Campbell and Nye, by virtue of placing in the Top 7, have earned
invitations to compete in the 2009 World Team Trials that will take
place on May 30-31 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. That tournament will be
used to determine Team USA for the World Championships later in the
year.
The
action continues in Las Vegas throughout the weekend with several
others with ties to the ASU program set to compete.
======================================================================================
Hawaii
By Associated Press 4/10/09
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Two former Hawaii
athletes claimed victories last night at the US national wrestling
championships in Las Vegas.
Roosevelt High School alum Clarissa Chun won the women's freestyle
national title in the 105-and-a-half-pound division with a 3-0, 1-0
victory against Sara Fulp-Allen.
Moanalua alum Stephany Lee won the final match of the evening with a
3-0, 4-0 victory against Jenna Pavlik for the 158-and-a-half-pound
title.
The top seven finishers in each weight class advance to the world team
trials in late May in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
(Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved)
=================================================================================
Hawaii
By Gary
Mihoces,
USA TODAY 4/10/09
Clarissa
Chun, last year's world champion in the 105.5-pound class of women's
freestyle
wrestling, added another title
Thursday
night in Las Vegas by winning the weight division at the U.S. national
tournament.
Chun, named
outstanding wrestler in the women's field, earned the title with a 3-0,
1-0
victory over Sara Fulp-Allen,
silver
medalist at last year's World University Games.
Chun, 27, a
native of Hawaii, placed fifth at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Two
months
later she won a gold medal at
the
women's world championships.
"I
look at this year as a new day and another challenge. I have to get
after it
again," said Chun, whose victory will give
her the top
seed at her weight in the U.S. World Team Trials May 30-31 in Council
Bluffs,
Iowa.
In the
112.5-pound class, Patricia Miranda won her eighth U.S. title by
pinning
Katherine Fulp-Allen, the
2008
World University
champion and the sister of Sara Fulp-Allen. Miranda was a bronze
medalist at
the 2004 Olympics.
=============================================================================
Hawaii
Chun,
Lee win wrestling
titles
4/10/09
Hawai'i's
Clarissa Chun and Stephany Lee won women's
freestyle wrestling titles last night at the U.S. Nationals in Las
Vegas.
Chun,
a Roosevelt High alum and 2008 Olympian and World
champion, beat Sara Fulp-Allen, 3-0, 1-0, in the 48-kilogram (105.5
pounds)
final and was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. She won
three
matches earlier in the day to advance to the championship match.
"It's
cool that I won Worlds," Chun said. "I
soaked it all in, but I look at this year as a new day and another
challenge. I
have to get after it again. I want to win another championship. Rather
than try
to defend my World title, I've got to grab it again and win it again."
In
winning her second national title, Chun beat a familiar
foe in Fulp-Allen, whom she lost to twice last year before beating her
in the
Olympic Trials.
Chun
headlocked Fulp-Allen just before time ran out in the
first period to take control.
"I
didn't want to slip and miss her head," Chun
said. "If that happens, she gets one point and I lose that period. I
knew
I needed to make sure I had that locked up tight. I had to make sure I
had it.
"She's
a tough wrestler who is really flexible and
counters really well. It's always a tough matchup for me."
Lee,
a Moanalua High alum and World University champion,
looked strong in downing Jenna Pavlik in the final at 72 kilograms
(158.5
pounds) by a 3-0, 4-0 score.
Lee
called upon her experience at the 2009 World Cup, where
she beat 2008 Olympic gold medalist Wang Jiao of China.
"The
World Cup really helped me," Lee said.
"I pinned the Olympic gold medalist and that helped me really believe.
I
knew I had the ability to do great things, but this was just confirming
I could
do it. It really helped me mentally."
Chun,
Lee and the other five national champions will earn No.
1 seeds for the U.S. World Team Trials on May 30-31 in Council Bluffs,
Iowa.
The top seven finishers in each weight class will qualify for the World
Team
Trials, and the seven champions will advance to September's World
Championships
in Denmark.
=================================================================================
Hawaii
Wrestler wins
title at national championships
By
STEVE CARP 4/10/09
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Clarissa
Chun had worked so hard and had come so close to realizing her dream of
being
an Olympic medalist.
And
when
she finished fifth in the women's wrestling competition in August at
Beijing,
she was devastated. The notion of getting right back on the mat was the
furthest thing from her mind.
Yet
that's
precisely what Chun did. The world wrestling championships were in
Japan in
October, and Chun qualified and worked her way through the 105.5-pound
bracket,
ultimately coming away with the gold medal.
"I
had trained so hard for the Olympics," said Chun, who won the women's
105.5 pound title at Thursday's U.S. National Championships at the Las
Vegas
Convention Center. "I wanted to get something more out of it."
Winning
a
world championship took some of the sting out of her Olympic loss in
China. She
stayed in Japan after the Worlds, teaching English. While there, she
found herself
receiving a lot of media attention as well as adulation from the
public. It did
a lot to boost her self-esteem.
"Athletes
in Japan are looked up to, and they are treated with respect," she
said.
"The people were wonderful to me, and it made me feel good about
myself."
The
Honolulu native began wrestling in high school and worked her way
through the
ranks. She regularly has placed high in major competitions, with her
2008 world
title her biggest achievement.
"I'm
not the strongest, so I use my quickness and experience to compensate,"
said the 4-foot-11-inch Chun, who defeated Sara Fulp-Allen by decision
in
Thursday's championship match, 3-0, 1-0, and did not give up a point in
winning
four matches. "I try to play to my strengths."
At
27,
Chun knows the clock is ticking in her quest to make it back to the
Olympics.
To her, 2012 seems far away. Yet she knows how quickly time passes, and
at the
moment, her mindset is to go for London.
"That's
the ultimate goal," she said. "If I can stay healthy, I think I have
a good chance to make it. But the older you get, the harder it is for
your body
to recover.
"I'm
just trying to keep healthy."
Contact
reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
================================================================================
Hawaii
Hawaii's
Clarissa Chun,
Stephany Lee win U.S. nationals wrestling titles
Advertiser
Staff 4/9/09
Former
Hawaii athletes Clarissa Chun and Stephany Lee both
won women's freestyle national titles at the U.S. National
Championships today.
Chun,
a Roosevelt alum and a 2008 Olympian and World
champion, won the 105.5-pound title with a 3-0, 1-0 victory against
Sara
Fulp-Allen.
Stephany
Lee, a Moanalua alum and a World University
champion, won the final match of the evening with a 3-0, 4-0 victory
against
Jenna Pavlik for the 158.5-pound title.
The
champions in each division will earn No. 1 seeds for the
U.S. World Team Trials on May 30-31 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The top
seven
finishers in each weight class qualify for the World Team Trials.
Chun,
who was defeated in the bronze medal match at last
summer's Olympics, didn't surrendered a point in winning all four of
her
national tournament matches.
"I
got the win, so I am happy with that," she
said. "I wish I would have executed more. There were times that I
didn't
pull the trigger."
The
win at nationals continues Chun's post-Olympic streak.
She also won the 105.5-pound title at the world championships in
September.
Now,
with the win on Thursday, she is one step closer to
defending her world title.
"I
don't look at it as defending my world title,"
Chun said. "I look at it as trying to grab it again."
"The
World Cup really helped me," Lee said.
"I pinned the Olympic gold medalist and that helped me really believe.
I
knew I had the ability to do great things, but this was just confirming
I could
do it. It really helped me mentally."
Both
train in Colorado Springs.
=========================================================================
California
By
John Wareham, Special to the Daily News
Posted: 04/09/2009
12:00:00 AM PDT
FEMALE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
SARAH SAENZ, San Fernando, Jr.
Won the 132-pound girls' Southern Section tournament with a
pin in 44 seconds; won the Thousand Oaks Tournament at 138 pounds and
wrestled against boys at BIV and won two of four matches. Finished the
season with a record of 18-5, a mark that includes matches against
girls and boys.
=============================================================
USA
4/9/09
Women's freestyle: At the 2008
Olympic trials, Clarissa Chun upset 2004 Olympic bronze medalist
Patricia Miranda in the 105.5-pound division. But there won't be a
rematch in Las Vegas.
Chun, who placed fifth at the
Olympics but went on to win a 2008 world title, is still at 105.5. But
Miranda has moved up to the 112.25 pounds, where her competition will
include Katherine Fulp-Allen, 2008 World University champion.
============================================================
Minnesota
By
Eric Morken, Sports Reporter, Alexandria Echo Press
Published Wednesday, April 08, 2009
It takes a lot of determination for a girl to take on a sport that is
traditionally dominated by male athletes – especially at only
8 years old.
Osakis’ Devyn Johnson did just that when she talked
her parents into letting her join wrestling in 3rd grade. Now five
years later, her dedication to the sport has resulted in a national
championship.
Johnson, a 7th grader at Osakis, traveled to Eastern Michigan
University with her uncle and her father on March 21-22 to take part in
the United States Girls Wrestling Association National Championships.
The event featured almost 700 of the top amateur female wrestlers from
around the country. Johnson proved to be the best of the best in her
70-pound weight class by winning four matches to take the title.
|
|
| Contributed
photo Devyn Johnson of Osakis won the 70-pound championship at the
United States Girls Wrestling Association National championships.
Johnson, a 7th grader, has been wrestling since she was in 3rdgrade. |
RELATED CONTENT
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“I was really excited,” she said. “It
felt like all the hard work had finally paid off for me.”
The hard work started even before she ever hit the mat five
years ago. Talking her parents into letting her join was the first
hurdle she had to clear. Her father, Doug, wrestled through high school
and was not sure how his daughter would hold up in the sport.
“She had been asking me since kindergarten if she
could join wrestling,” he said. “But they kept
telling her ‘no, no, no, you can’t
wrestle.’ That was in kindergarten and 1st grade, so I told
her if they ever open it up to girls I will let you wrestle. Well, then
one day she comes running up to me and says ‘Dad, guess what.
They said I can wrestle.’
“I was not up for her to be a wrestler. I just
thought she would get brutalized, but she really has a knack for it.
The biggest thing is that she has such a drive for it. She just loves
to wrestle.”
It is that passion that has driven her to keep at it. At only
66 pounds, Johnson is at a disadvantage every time she steps on the mat
in practice and in meets around the area. Her wrestling partners all
outweigh her by 30-40 pounds right now. While that may discourage most
people, Johnson looks at it as an opportunity to improve.
“Considering she is giving up like 40 pounds in the
practice rounds, I would say she does pretty stinkin’
well,” Osakis varsity coach Kyle Kostrzewski said.
“Her technique is outstanding. She is a lot better than some
of the guys in the room. She pays attention to what is going on really
well. She asks questions and is always working to get
better.”
Going up against the guys has not always been easy but it was
beneficial for her when she wrestled against girls in her own weight
class at the national championships. Johnson also practices a lot at
home by wrestling her 10-year-old brother, Seth. The work she put in
helped her to win the national title with ease.
She won the championship match with a 15-3 major decision. Her
first two wins came by pins in 3:30 and 1:30 before winning by
decision, 13-5, in the semifinals.
“Sometimes I feel a little shy, but they seem to
accept me pretty well,” Johnson said about going against the
boys. “I think it made me a lot stronger and just kind of
tougher.”
Her national title is the first in what Johnson hopes is a
long list of accomplishments in wrestling. She has set her sights as
high as they can go, even mentioning the Olympics a lot to her father.
“She is always asking me, ‘Dad, what do
you think my odds are of getting to the Olympics,’
” Doug said. “I am honest with her. I tell her they
are slim to none, but if you don’t try you have no
chance.”
Fulda-Murray County Central wrestler Elissa Reinsma made
history earlier this year by becoming the first girl to ever qualify
for the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament. That has also served as
inspiration to Johnson as she tries to work her way up to the varsity
level.
It won’t be easy. Not because she does not have the
ability, but because of her weight. Wrestlers have to weigh at least 89
pounds to wrestle in the 103-pound weight class on varsity. Johnson has
to gain more than 20 pounds before she reaches that.
“She won matches against kids that were 100 pounds
in JV this year,” Kostrzewski said. “If she gains
weight I think she can be an integral part to the varsity team. It is
just a matter of whether or not she has the frame to gain that weight.
I hope it happens cause she is a very good wrestler.”
===================================================================
USA
Women's
freestyle
wrestling seeds announced for 2009 U.S. Nationals
Kelvin
Chun 4/8/09
Reader Submitted
Chun is one of the top stars to compete at the 2009
ASICS U.S.
National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 9.In 2008, FILA
hosted its
first Women's World Championships held during the same year as the
Olympic
Games, and Clarissa Chun won the World gold medal at 105.5 pounds. She
became
only the fifth American woman to win a World title. Chun was also fifth
at the
2008 Olympic Games at her weight class.
48
kg/105.5 lbs.
Clarissa
Chun comes off her most successful season, winning
the World title and taking fifth at the Olympics. She won her only U.S.
Nationals title in 2006, and seeks to return to the champion podium.
Chun spent
some time working as a teacher in Japan earlier this season, but
returned to
the mats for the USA at the Women's World Cup a few weeks ago.
72
kg/158.5 lbs.
Stephany
Lee, a two-time University World champion, competed
at the 2008 World Championships at this division. She is coming off a
strong
effort at the 2009 Women's World Cup, where she pinned the Olympic
champion
from China.
Her
top challenger will be 2005 World champion Iris Smith,
who remains very competitive at this division. Jenna Pavlik, who was
fifth at
the 2001 World Championships, is among the most experienced at this
division.
====================================================================
Canada
London –Western Wrestling Club wins 5 - Gold medals at Cadet – Juvenile Wrestling Nationals
Provided by
: Josip MRKOCI
Tuesday, April 7,
2009
Photo 1 - BRIANNE BARRY -
London-Western Wrestling Club - 2009 Canadian
GOLD medal Champion at 52kg on Podium (1)
Photo 2 - BRIANNE BARRY 52kg- (red)
pinning her opponent at the Canadian
Nationals juvenile Championships
Photo 3 - RAMONA BALFOUR - (blue )
of London-Western Wrestling Club on a pin
with front head and arm to win
The 2009 Canadian
Cadet & Juvenile Wrestling Championships were held on April 3 - 5,
2009 for men and women with the Canadian Juvenile men’s Greco-Roman
Wrestling Championships and FILA Cadet Trials being held at the
Nashwaaksis Field House, Fredericton , New Brunswick. The event was hosted by
Don Ryan of the University of New Brunswick and his Black Bear Wrestling
Club.
The Canadian
CADET ( men & women) are for 15-16 yr. olds and the JUVENILE (
men & women) are for 17-18 yr. olds. The FILA Cadet Trials (men &
women ) are for 15-17 year olds. The winners of FILA Cadet Trials will be
representing Canada at the Pan-American FILA Cadet Wrestling Championships (men
& women) in Venezuela this summer.
Some 750- 800
wrestlers from across Canada participated at this National Wrestling event in
Fredericton conducted on ten wrestling mats. The first two days of wrestling
was devoted to Canadian Cadet-Juvenile Wrestling and the third day was devoted
to FILA Cadet Trials and Juvenile Greco-Roman (men only) Wrestling
Championships.
London and area
was well represented at these National Wrestling Championships with most of the
wrestlers coming from London-Western Wrestling Club. The London-Western was led
by Team leader/coach – Ray Takahashi and head coach of age group program – Dave
Spinney and the new high performance coach Saeed Azarbayjani.
Wrestlers that
represented the Club at the Championships in the CADET age group were, - in
women’s section – Erica Giorgini-49kg from Catholic Central High School
& Janneke Van den Niewelaar-80kg from Dorchester High School. In
men’s section – twin brothers, Brian Cowan-46kg & Adam Cowan-50kg from
Dorchester High School, Billy George- 76kg and Mark Wheatley-92kg of South
Secondary School.
In JUVENILE age
group the Club was represented by - in women’s section - by Ramona Balfour-43kg
of Laurier Secondary School, Brianne Barry-52kg of Central Secondary School,
Alicia Van Horne-56kg of Mother Teresa High School, Karleah Bonk-65kg and
Monica Varallo-80kg also of Mother Teresa High School and Catholic
Central High School wrestler- Shelby Riddell-80kg.
In men’s Juvenile
age group the Club was represented by – Steven Takahashi- 50kg of Catholic
Central High School, Nolan Deinum-54kg & Larry Gordon- 100kg
both students of Saunders Secondary School, Jake Devlin – 69kg and
Richard Balfour-58kg,student of Laurier Secondary School.
In addition to
London-Western Wrestling Club athletes, wrestlers from newly formed Harry Geris
Wrestling Club (east end of London) competed as well as the wrestlers from the
OXEL Wrestling Club of St. Thomas.
Last year, the
Cadet – Juvenile Wrestling Championships were held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
& the London-Western Wrestling Club wrestlers brought home a number of
medals. Steven Takahashi won a GOLD medal at 50kg and Richard Balfour won
a GOLD medal at 58kg. in the Cadet age group. In Juvenile age group for women
Ramona Balfour at 43kg won a BROZE medal and Brianne Barry at 52 kg won a
BRONZE medal as well. In the National Club Team results the London-Western
Wrestling Club, Cadet boys won 3 rd. place plaque.
The Coaching
staff of the Club had high expectations of the last year’s medalist Steven
Takahashi, Richard Balfour, Ramona Balfour and Brianne Barry. The
wrestlers did not disappoint the coaching staff, not only did the team do much
better than last year they also won more medals.
The 2009
Cadet-Juvenile Wrestling Championships were highly contested and the
London-Western Wrestling Club and the area wrestlers from Harry Geris Wrestling
Club and the OXEL Wrestling Club won a number of medals.
Leading the Club
CADET women was Janneke Van den Niewelaar at 80 kg by winning a BROZE medal,
Erica Giorgini-49kg did not place. In men’s CADET
Group, Brian Cowan-46kg place 4 th and his brother Adam
Cowan-50kg placed also 4 th. while Mark Whitley-92kg , a student at South
Secondary School won a BRONZE medal.
Wrestling for the
Harry Geris Wrestling Club, Michaela Lawrence – 40kg won a GOLD medal in Cadet
women’s section and her teammate, Alex Low-76kg won a SILVER medal in
men’s Cadet section .
Wrestling for the
OXEL Wrestling Club of St. Thomas, Alicia Rowlands
(last year
National Cadet Champion at 52kg) wrestling at 56kg women’s Cadet
section this year won a BROZE medal, while her teammate Mario Tran
46kg also won a BRONZE medal in the Cadet men’s section.
The
London-Western Wrestling Club had excellent results after 3 - days of
competition from their Juvenile women and men wrestlers at the 2009 Canadian
Championships. The Club wrestlers won 5 – Gold medals and 1-Silver.
In JUVENILE
women’s section Ramona Balfour- 43kg last years Bronze medalist won this
year GOLD medal. Her teammate and last year’s Bronze medalist
Brianne Barry - 52kg won a GOLD medal this year as
well. Alicia Van Horne 56kg placed 4 th and Shelby Riddell – 80kg placed
5th in her weight class. The Club’s Juvenile women’s Team
placed 4 th overall in Team standings.
In Juvenile men’s
section, Steven Takahashi at 50kg last year’s Cadet Champion won a GOLD
medal this year in Juvenile age. Nolan Deinum wrestling at his
first Nationals at 54kg won a GOLD medal. Last year’s Cadet Champion
Richard Balfour – 58kg came up short and had to settle for SILVER medal this
year. The only competitor in Greco-Roman Wrestling Style was Larry Gordon
– 100kg and he went on to win a GOLD medal for the Club.
The Club’s
Juvenile men’s team won a second place Team plaque in
Freestyle Wrestling. The Matmen wrestling club from Toronto came in
first.
In the FILA Cadet
Trials for 15-17yr olds which were held on Sunday, April 5, 2009 a number
of Club wrestlers won the FILA Cadet Trials or placed
second. Leading the team was Steven Takahashi – 50kg who won
the first place in FILA Cadet Trials. Steven is the
only Club wrestler that will represent Canada twice this
summer at International wrestling Events. First one being the
Pan-American
FILA Cadet Wrestling Championships in Venezuela and later represent
Canada at Junior World Championships in Ankara, Turkey.
Richard Balfour –
58kg who placed second in men’s Juvenile went on and placed first
in the FILA Cadet Trials. Brian Cowan – 46kg who earlier placed 4 th in
the Cadet Championships placed second in the FILA Cadet Trials.
Nolan Deinum wrestling at 54kg won the Gold medal in Juvenile
section could not repeat his earlier performance and placed second in the
FILA Cadet Trials.
The FILA Cadet
Trials winners will represent Canada at the Pan-American FILA Cadet Wrestling
Championships in Venezuela this summer.
The team
leader/coach - Ray Takahashi was pleased with the Club’s results this year and
said “We had some close matches that could have gone our way and we would have
had better results but our wrestlers did well overall. We are
looking forward toward improving our elite athletes in the future with the help
of new coach Saeed Azarbayjani “.
“ We are very
proud of all of our coaching staff and wrestlers and
a great deal of thanks should go to our Club’s Board of
Directors , Volunteers and Parents for raising funds to support an excellent
wrestling program at the London- Western Wrestling Club” said Ray Takahashi.
=======================================================================
Texas
4/7/09
Wrestler of the year: Frances Efiong, Arlington
Lamar
Efiong put in four years of hard work to reach a state final, so a little
overtime wasn’t going to deter her from her goal. Efiong, a senior, endured
overtime and three tiebreaker sessions to win gold in the 138-pound division at
the UIL state wrestling championships. Efiong outlasted Katy’s Julie Stayton 7-6
to claim the title. Efiong, who was 30-0, had finished fourth and sixth in her
previous two state-tournament appearances.
95: Alesha Athon, Sr., Arlington (20-15) Third at Region II
meet.
102: Rachel Ramos, Jr., Keller Fossil Ridge (13-4) Region
II-runner up.
110: Heather Danielson, Sr., Arlington Martin (31-9) Region
II runner-up.
119: Rachel Mahlow, Soph., Arlington Martin (28-8) Region II
runner-up.
128: Emily Harvey, Sr., Keller Central (24-5) Region II
champion.
138: Frances Efiong, Sr., Arlington Lamar (30-0) Went
undefeated en route to state title.
148: Tess Vaughn, Jr., Arlington Bowie (28-9) Placed fourth
at state tournament.
165: Cheryce Moss, Sr., Arlington Seguin (32-3) Region II
runner-up placed fifth at state.
185: Dee Williams, Sr., Arlington (32-3) Region II champion
finished third at state.
215: Kerra Scott, Sr., Arlington Martin (37-4) Region II
runner-up was fifth at state.
====================================================================
Canada
JAMES
CHRISTIE
Globe and
Mail Update
April
8, 2009 at 6:57 PM EDT
Former Canadian wrestling chief
executive Greg Mathieu is replacing Lorraine Lafrenière at
the head of the Canadian Cycling Association.
Mathieu, who has 28 years
experience as a sports administrator — including leading the
Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association since 1993 — will hold
the positions of chief executive officer and secretary general.
Lorraine Lafrenière
held her post for two years. She oversaw the Canadian Cyling
Association's administrative restructuring. It was a tenure of highs
and lows. Even within the last week, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in
Sport came down with the heavy doping suspensions, 10 years against
one-time junior world champion Genevieve Jeanson and lifetime bans for
those who enabled her, coach Andre Aubut and Dr. Maurice Duquette. But
at the end of the same week, Canada won two silver medals at the world
championships, with Tara Whitten of Edmonton and Zac Bell of Watson
Lake, Yukon, each placing second in the five-event omnium.
Mathieu's wrestlers had a record
of success, too, from successive women's world championships won by
Christine Nordhagen to Canada's first Olympic gold, won by Daniel Igali
at Sydney. Canadian mounted every Olympic podium, from 1996 to 2008.
==========================================================
Minnesota
Emily Kram
Superior Telegram
Published Thursday, April 09, 2009
Basketball is plainly in Blegen’s future now, but that was
not always the case. In fact, until eighth grade, Blegen’s
basketball experience was mostly confined to pick-up games in the park.
She had played no competitive basketball, aside from a few tournaments
in fifth and sixth grade.
Instead, Blegen wrestled.
“I wrestled with the guys,” Blegen said.
“It was fun making guys cry at times, I guess.”
Yet wrestling wasn’t really what Blegen wanted to
do. She grew up wrestling because of her father, Neil.
“My dad used to wrestle, so it was something he
always wanted me to do,” Blegen said. “Then I
realized that that’s not really what I wanted to
do.”
Blegen said giving up wrestling in favor of basketball was
probably the best choice she ever made. Looking back, she
can’t imagine returning to wrestling.
And as Blegen made her transition into basketball, her father
did as well.
===================================================================
California
by Matt Long 4/1109
Folsom High sophomore Tianna Camous has been invited to
represent California and the United States in two wrestling tournaments
in July.
Camous will wrestle in the Down Under Sports Wrestling
Tournament in Australia in the first part of the July and then compete
in the Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND, later in the month.
“At first I was surprised that I was asked to go,
but once I found out that I was going to be able to go, I was really
excited about it,” Camous said. “I’m sure
I’ll be nervous when it gets closer, but I think it will be
fun and a good experience for me.”
Camous, 15, is coming off a strong high school wrestling
season where she placed fifth in the girls’ state tournament
in the 122-pound weight class. Knowing her competition at these
upcoming tournaments will be strong, Camous is setting realistic goals.
“I want to win at least one match at each
tournament,” Camous said.
With all the travel and other expenses, Camous is currently
fundraising for her trip. On April 29 between 4 and 8 p.m., 20 percent
of purchases at Nuyo Frozen Yogurt on E. Bidwell Street will go toward
Camous, if those purchasing present the cashier with a flyer. On April
30, another fundraiser will be held at Round Table Pizza on Riley
Street from 5 to 9 p.m. Again, a flyer is necessary to turn in to help
Camous. Tianna’s mom, Monica, will be at both fundraisers
with fliers. If anyone would like a flier e-mailed to them in advance,
they can contact Monica at mocorunner@yahoo.com or at 337-3006. A tip
jar is also located at Tom’s Barber Shop on Natoma Street for
donations as well.
==============================================================================
Oklahoma.
- DATE: 4/11/2009
11:24:00 AM
- Sheila McCabe
of Oklahoma City University finished as runner-up at 67 kilograms
(147.5 pounds) in the U.S. Senior Women’s Freestyle Wrestling
Championships on Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
McCabe, a junior from El Cajon, Calif., lost to Adeline Gray 8-0, 8-2
in the finals. McCabe was selected to the U.S. Pan American team after
her finish.
In the semifinals, McCabe defeated Erin Clodgo of the U.S. Olympic
Educational Center 2-1, 2-0. McCabe beat her Stars teammate Stefenie
Shaw 3-1, 0-1, 1-1 in the quarterfinals. Shaw finished fifth at 67.
McCabe went 9-11 during the collegiate season for the WCWA national
champion and NWCA national dual champion Stars.
“It’s a remarkable accomplishment for
Sheila,” OCU coach Archie Randall said. “She had a
great tournament. She was nervous in the final. It was a good week for
our young Stars.”
Other OCU placers were Joey Miller, fifth at 48 (105); LeAnn Barney,
fifth at 51 (112); Michaela Hutchison, fifth and Ashley Hudson, sixth
at 55 (121); Natasha Umemoto, fifth and Firen Gassman, sixth at 59
(130); Tessa Plana, sixth and Samantha Phillips, eighth at 63 (138.5)
and Lacey Novinska, fifth at 72 (158)
- ==================================================================================
U.S. Women’s
Nationals 67 kg round one – Stefenie Shaw (OCU Stars) dec. Kendra Lewis (Univ.
of Cumberlands), 3-0, 0-1, 1-1
U.S. Women’s
Nationals 48 kg round one – Clarissa Chun (Sunkist Kids) dec. Victoria Anthony
(Team So Cal), 5-0, 2-0
U.S. Women’s
Nationals 72 kg semifinals – Stephany Lee (Sunkist Kids) pin Lacey Novinska (OCU
Stars), 8-0, 1:29
U.S. Women’s
Nationals 55 kg semifinals – Helen Maroulis (New York AC) dec. Michaela
Hutchison (OCU Stars), 5-0, 5-0
U.S. Women’s
Nationals 51 kg semifinals – Patricia Miranda (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jessica Medina
(New York AC), 6-0, 1-0
U.S. Women’s
Nationals 48 kg semifinals – Clarissa Chun (Sunkist Kids) dec. Joey Miller (OCU
Stars), 3-0, 6-0
Women’s champion
interview - Stephany Lee
Women’s champion
interview - - Adeline Gray
Women’s champion
interview - Elena Pirozhkova
Women’s champion
interview - Kelsey Campbell
Women’s champion
interview - Helen Maroulis
Women’s champion
interview Patricia Miranda
Women’s champion
interview Clarissa Chun
News & Previews
Videos of U.S. Freestyle National
champion interviews, plus selected matches from Saturday in Las Vegas
U.S. NATIONALS: Herbert leads
charge as seven first-time champions crowned in freestyle
U.S. NATIONALS: Paulson twins storm
into freestyle finals
Oklahoma State wrestlers come out
on top at the FILA Junior freestyle Nationals
VIDEOS of interviews and matches
from U.S. Nationals on Friday, April 10
U.S. NATIONALS: Harry Lester caps
superb showing by winning Greco-Roman title at 74 kg/163 lbs.
2009 FILA Junior Freestyle National
finals set for Sat., April 11
McCauley claims Western Junior
Regional freestyle title, Gutches claims title and OW
U.S. NATIONALS: World bronze
medalist Harry Lester downs Olympian Jake Deitchler in Greco-Roman
semis
Nieves among Veteran freestyle
repeat champions
U.S. NATIONALS: Clarissa Chun hits
jackpot, wins OW award in women's freestyle
UPDATED Videos from USA Wrestling
events in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9
Dominguez among 16 wrestlers to
advance to Greco-Roman Nationals through Qualification Tournament
Chun, Miranda headline list of
women's freestyle finalists at U.S. Nationals
U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW – WOMEN’S
FREESTYLE – Olympians Chun and Miranda among top women stars
Videos from USA Wrestling events in
Las Vegas on Wednesday, April 8
Michigan's Massa captures
Greco-Roman title at Western Junior Regionals in Las Vegas
Competition and friendship brings
athletes to Veterans Greco-Roman Nationals
Watch Live! 2009 USA Wrestling
ASICS U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas on Live Sports Video.com
Ryan Mango earns OW honor after
winning FILA Junior Nationals Greco-Roman title in Las Vegas
U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW -
GRECO-ROMAN: Four 2008 Olympians expected to compete
Greco-Roman seeds for 2009 U.S.
Nationals released
Women's freestyle seeds announced
for 2009 U.S. Nationals
Men's Freestyle seeds for 2009 U.S.
Nationals released
All-Army wrestlers seek another
Greco-Roman national crown
U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW - FREESTYLE:
Young stars, veterans expected to battle for titles
Registration deadline for U.S.
Senior, FILA Junior & Veterans Nationals, plus Western Jr. Regional is
Tuesday, April 7
However, it's her second sport that may
surprise those outside of the school – wrestling. Instead of
cross-country or another sport that may help with developing speed or
endurance, she picked wrestling for strength purposes.
