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Jenkins Gathers Most Outstanding Wrestler Award In 2002 Women's University Nationals
5/5/2002
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
Evanston, Ill.- For the fifth consecutive year, women’s freestyle wrestling was showcased at the 2002 University Nationals, but for the first time, a member of the U.S. Marines women’s team captured an individual title.
Miriam Jenkins (48 kg) earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors after she breezed through her weight class on Saturday afternoon. Jenkins won by technical fall over Liz Short (Minnesota-Morris) in the first round before disposing of Mary Kelly (Dave Schultz WC), 9-5.
In the final, Jenkins locked up a cradle in the first period, and held Kelly on her back for the final 40 seconds of the period to take a 6-5 lead. In the second period, she used a gut wrench to pad her lead before coming away with the win.
Tina George-Wilson (U.S. Army), who has won three of the four previous Most Outstanding Wrestler awards, swept through the 55 kg weight class with a pin and technical fall. The win gave George-Wilson her fourth individual title in five years.
At 51 kg, Danielle Hobeika (Dave Schultz WC), captured her first individual title after recording a first-period pin over Kera Pemberton (Neosho) and a 4-1 decision over Katrina Betts (Minnesota Storm).
Sara McMann (Sunkist Kids WC) won her third University Nationals title after registering two technical fall victories in round-robin competition at 63 kg.
In action at 67 kg, two-time champion Kristie Stenglein (Marano) dropped her first match in a best two-out-of-three series against Katie Downing (Minnesota-Morris), but came back to win the final two matches, 8-1 and 4-3. The wins gave Stenglein her first title since 1999.
Iris Smith (U.S. Army), a two-time returning champion, ran away with an individual title as well, winning twice by technical fall in round-robin competition.
Cathilee Albert (Black Knight) and Alicia Wilson (Minnesota Storm), at 59 kg and 77 kg respectively, won individual titles by default, as they were the only registered wrestlers in their weight classes.
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2002 Men’s FILA Junior Nationals, Women’s FILA Junior Nationals & FILA Cadet National Championships to be held in
5/3/2002
Jaimie Millward/USA Wrestling
Many of the best high school and college wrestlers in the nation are expected to travel to Chattenooga for three major age-group National tournaments in May. The 2002 Men’s FILA Junior Nationals and Women’s FILA Junior Nationals Women’s FILA Cadet National Championships will be held at the Camp Jordan Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn., May 16-19.
The men’s division of the competition will feature the top 17-20 year olds in the nation including college underclassmen, military athletes and high school wrestling stars. These athletes will be competing in the Olympic styles of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Greco-Roman champions eligible to return include Daryl Spackman of Utah (110), Nathan Piasecki of Wisconsin (119), Chris Rodrigues of Georgia (127.75), James and Jason Woodall of Pennsylvania (152), Ken Cook of California (167.5) and Justin Millard of Pennsylvania (187.25).
On the freestyle side of the competition, returning FILA Junior champions include the Woodalls, plus Eric Stevenson of Oregon (110).
This is the first year in history when men’s and women’s FILA Junior Nationals tournaments will be held side by side at the same location.
On the women’s side of this event, there will be a Cadet and a Junior tournament. The FILA Cadet age level includes athletes who are 15-17 years old. The FILA Junior World age level includes athletes from 17-20 years of age.
Girls who turn 17 years old in 2002 (born in 1985) are eligible to compete in both the FILA Cadet Nationals and the FILA Junior Nationals and are encouraged to do so. The event will be organized in order to allow athletes sufficient time between matches to compete in both tournaments.
Returning champions at the FILA Cadet level of competition include Sara Fulp-Allen of California (101.25), Brittany Shell of Alaska (123.25) and Ali Bernard of Minnesota (143.25).
Returning champions at the FILA Junior level include Erica Dye of West Virginia (94.5), Melina Hutchison of Alaska (119), Brandy Rosenbrock of Michigan (127.5), Erin Tomeo of Pennsylvania (138.75) and Toccara Montgomery of Ohio (149.75).
The men’s Greco-Roman competition will begin on Friday, May 17 with a session at 9:00 a.m. that will run until the conclusion of finals.
The men’s and women’s freestyle competition will begin on Saturday, May 18 with the first session at 10:00 a.m. and additional sessions at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The conclusion of the freestyle portion of the event will be on Sunday, May 19 with the session beginning at 9:00 a.m.
This year FILA, the international federation, will not host a Junior World Championships for men or women.
Champions from the FILA Cadet Nationals for women will become eligible for a partially funded international tour to Beijing, China from July 31-August 9. Champions will have the first opportunity to participate and others will be considered based upon their placement in the tournament.
For more information, contact Event Director Merrill Eckstein at (423) 756-8689.