Menlo College seeks full-time assistant women’s wrestling coach/student life director

5/8/2002
Keith Spataro/Menlo College

Menlo College in Atherton, California is seeking a full time assistant women's wrestling coach/student life director.

Requirements: Minimum of BA is required. Female is preferred. Experience in either an RA (resident assistant) or RD (resident director) position. In addition, the applicant must have some experience with coaching of women and with that in the international styles. Furthermore, athletic credentials will also be used; however, will not necessarily be the deciding factor. The most important credential will be one's ability to work and relate to others, take and give direction, and handle administrative duties efficiently.

Position duties: The majority of the job will be to work with the student life and housing department as a director of student housing. The requirements for this job can be obtained at a later date. The second part of the job would be to report to the director of wrestling operations and with that be responsible for all aspects of efficiently running the women's wrestling program. Duties would include, but are not limited to: organizing and running practice sessions, recruitment of athletes, aiding in fundraising efforts, and scheduling and organizing road trips.

Salary: Salary includes free room and board, a coaching stipend and a full time salary + benefits.

All potential inquiries please contact:

Keith Spataro
Director of Wrestling Operations
Menlo College
kspataro@menlo.edu
(650) 543-3853

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Up to 200 of America’s best wrestlers to compete at the 2002 World Team Trials, presented by United Airlines, at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in Saint Paul, Minn., June 21-23; List of qualifiers is released

5/9/2002
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

A strong field of up to 200 of the best freestyle, Greco-Roman and women wrestlers in the nation are expected to compete at 2002 World Team Trials, presented by United Airlines. This spectacular event will be held at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in Saint Paul, Minn., June 21-23.

Champions from this competition will receive the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2002 World Championships of Wrestling. Each style has its own World Championships this year, with men’s freestyle in Tehran, Iran, (Sept. 4-7), men’s Greco-Roman in Moscow, Russia (Sept. 19-22) and women’s freestyle in Halkida, Greece (Nov. 2-3).

The quality of the competition is expected to be outstanding. Only athletes who have met specific qualification requirements may compete in this tournament.

The major qualifying event was the 2002 U.S. National Wrestling Championships, held in Las Vegas, Nev. April 26-27. The top seven men’s freestyle and men’s Greco-Roman placewinners in each weight class from the U.S. Nationals have qualified for Saint Paul, as have the top eight women’s freestyle placewinners.

In addition to the U.S. Nationals, there are a number of other qualifying procedures in place. The specific qualifying requirements for each style are different, based upon decisions by each style’s Sport Committee. Included among these qualifying standards are current Team USA members, athletes with past success on the international level, gold medalists at Regional Championships and the University Nationals as well as NCAA Div. I Championships finalists. There are at least 242 athletes who meet the qualifying criteria, not all of those qualified have attended in the past.

Many local wrestling stars are expected to be on display, including 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Garrett Lowney, 1996 Olympic silver medalist Brandon Paulson and 2001 World silver medalist Brandon Eggum. These stars, along with many other talented wrestlers, live and train full-time in Minnesota.

The field will feature numerous World and Olympic medalists, as well as many of the top young athletes who are expected to challenge for positions on future World and Olympic teams.

Among the top seeded stars in men’s freestyle wrestling are 2001 World bronze medalist Joe Williams (Coralville, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs., four-time NCAA Div. I champion Cael Sanderson (Heber City, Utah/Sunkist Kids) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and 2000 Olympian Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Talented top seeds in men’s Greco-Roman include 2000 Olympian Kevin Bracken (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., as well as Dremiel Byers (Fort Carson, Colo./U.S. Army) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., who was sixth in the 1999 World Championships.

The women’s field has three top seeds who are past World medalists: 2000 World silver medalist Patricia Miranda (Stanford, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., 2001 World silver medalist Stephanie Murata (Minden, Nev./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and 2001 World silver medalist Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.

This is only the second time in USA Wrestling history that the World Team Trials for men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle and men’s Greco-Roman will be held together at one site. USA Wrestling expects that this competition will continue to grow into one of the most popular wrestling events in the nation. The tournament format features a two-day Challenge Tournament and a championship finals series. The Challenge Tournament in all three styles will be held on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22. This includes all of the competitors, except for the 2002 National Champions who are automatically in the finals.

On Sunday, June 23, the Championship finals in each weight class will be held, featuring the national champion facing the Challenge Tournament winner in a best-of-three series.

The event is being organized by Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau, Minnesota/USA Wrestling and USA Wrestling.

Tickets can be purchased in a number of ways. A single-day general admission ticket is $16.50 for adults and $11.50 for youth. Three-day VIP reserved seats cost $60 for adults and $45 for youth. For the final day, Sunday, VIP reserved seats cost $21 for adults and $16 for youth.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 800-733-6466, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

2001 TENTATIVE WORLD TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIERS

Men’s Freestyle criteria: 1. Top seven at 2002 Senior National Championships; 2. Current National Team Member - Top three; 3. Top three Finisher in a FILA A Championships in the past two years including Pan Ams, but not Sunkist; 4. Past World or Olympic Team Member; 5. Medalist at Junior World Championships in the past two years; 6. 2002 NCAA Div. I Finalist; 7. 2002 Regional Tournament Champion from the Northeast, Northern Plains and Rocky Mountain Regionals

MEN’S FREESTYLE
55 kg/121 lbs.
National champion - Teague Moore, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
National placerwinners - 2. Jody Strittmatter, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC); 3. Jeff Prescott, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 4. Grant Nakamura, Ames, Iowa (Cyclone); 5. Eric Albarracin, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army); 6. Rocco Mansueto, Cleveland, Ohio, (Cleveland WC); 7. Gavin James, Farnington, N.M. (unattached)
Team USA member - Stephen Abas, Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids); NCAA Div. I finalists - Luke Eustice, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC); World or Olympic team member - Sammie Henson, State College, Pa. (Sunkist Kids); Regional champions - Jasper Hubbert, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm); Tim Dernlan, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC); Junior World medalists - T.J. Hill, Farmington, Mo. (Team Hoggs) and Jason Powell, Lincoln, Neb. (Husker WC): Medalist at Group A Tournament - Martin Kusick, Baltimore, Md. (Sunkist Kids)

60 kg/132 lbs.
National champion - Eric Guerrero, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
National placerwinners - 2. Eric Akin, Lincoln, Neb. (Dave Schultz WC); 3. Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids); 4. Jesus Wilson, Fayette, Iowa (Minnesota Storm); 5. Jeff Bedard, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army); 6. Mike Mena, Bloomington, Ind. (New York AC), 6-1; 7. C.C. Fisher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Excel)
Team USA member - Danny Felix, Chandler, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids); NCAA Div. I finalists - Johnny Thompson, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) and Ryan Lewis, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm); Regional champions - Eric Keller, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Cat WC), Phil Mansueto, Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland WC); Medalist at Group A Tournament - Cody Sanderson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), Jason Kutz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
National champion - Bill Zadick, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye)
National placerwinners - 2. Jamill Kelly, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC); 3. Chris Bono, Gilbert, Iowa (Sunkist Kids); 4. Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC); 5. Jesse Jantzen, Cambridge, Mass. (Dave Schultz WC); 6. John Fisher, Flint, Mich. (Sunkist Kids); 7. Adam Tirapelle, Champaign, Ill. (Dave Schultz WC)
NCAA Div. I finalists - Aaron Holker, Ames, Iowa (Cyclone WC), Eric Larkin, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), Jared Lawrence, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) and Jared Frayer, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids); World or Olympic team member - Cary Kolat, Lock Haven, Pa. (Dave Schultz WC); Regional champions - Reggie Wright, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), Nick Mitchell, Waverly, Iowa (Knights WC); Medalist at Group A tournament - Celso DeAnda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Excel), Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC), Mike Mendoza, Alamosa, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)

74 kg/163 lbs.
National champion - Joe Williams, Coralville, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
National placerwinners - 2. Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids); 3. Ramico Blackmon, Monument, Colo. (Team Excel); 4. Kirk White, Boise, Idaho (Dave Schultz WC); 5. Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (Dave Schultz WC); 6. Brian Dolph, Ridley Park, Pa. (Dave Schultz WC); 7. Joe Heskett, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
Team USA member - Byron Tucker, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids); NCAA Div. I finalists - Luke Becker, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), Bryan Snyder, Lincoln, Neb. (Dave Schultz WC), Matt Lackey, Urbana, Ill. (New York AC); Regional champions - David Zuniga, New Brighton, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), James Woodall, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion); Medalist at Group A Tournament - Miron Kharchilava, Columbus, Ohio (Ohio International)

84 kg/185 lbs.
National champion - Cael Sanderson, Heber City, Utah (Sunkist Kids)
National placerwinners - 2. Lee Fullhart, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC); 3. Randy Pugh, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Cat WC); 4. Charles Burton, Bloomington, Ind. (New York AC); 5. Markus Mollica, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC); 6. Clint Wattenburg, Ithaca, N.Y. (Cornell); 7. Eddie Gifford, Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
Team USA member - Brandon Eggum, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), Aaron Simpson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids); NCAA Div. I finalists - Greg Jones, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids), Greg Parker, Princeton, N.J. (ATWA), Rob Rohn, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC) and Josh Lambrecht, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids); Regional champions - Sean Harrington, Pelham, N.H. (New York AC), Alan Charity, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
National champion - Tim Hartung, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
National placerwinners - 2. Chad Lamer, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC); 3. Dean Morrison, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC); 4. Raphael Davis, Bakersfield, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC); 5. Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Ohio International); 6. Franklin Lashley, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army); 7. Mark Munoz, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
Team USA member - Dominic Black, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) and Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC); NCAA Div. I finalists - Jon Trenge, Orefield, Pa. (New York AC); Regional champions - Roy Mokosso, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm); Past World and Olympic team - Melvin Douglas, Mesa, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids); Medalist at Group A Tournament - Zach Thompson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
National champion - Kerry McCoy, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)
National placerwinners -2. Tolly Thompson, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids); 3. Brian Keck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC); 4. Andy Bowlby, Philomath, Ore. (Orange Crush); 5. Angelo Borzio, East Stroudsburg, Pa. (New York AC); 6. Kevin Hoy, US Air Force Academy, Colo. (Falcon WC); 7. Tony Walters, Amityville, N.Y. (St. Anthony’s)
NCAA Div. I finalists - Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Dave Schultz WC) and Steve Mocco, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC); Regional champions - Peter Hennis, Edinboro, Pa. (Edinboro WC), LeRoy Gardner III, Robinsdale, Minn. (Minnesota Storm); Medalist at Group A Tournament - Corey Farkas, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force), Hector Torres, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)

Note: Some athletes qualified in more than one way, although just one is noted in this list.

Men’s Greco-Roman: criteria: 1. Top seven at 2002 Senior National Championships; 2. Current National Team Member - Top three; 3. Top three Finisher in a FILA A Championship in the past two years, including the Pan Ams, but not Sunkist; 4. 2002 University National Champion; 5. Past World or Olympic Team member; 6. Medalist at Junior World Championships in the past two years; 7. 2002 NCAA Div. I Finalist; 8. 2002 Regional Tournament Champion from the Northeast, Northern Plains and Rocky Mountain Regionals

MEN’S GRECO-ROMAN
55 kg/121 lbs.
National champion - Brandon Paulson, Anoka, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
National placerwinners - 2. Lindsay Durlacher, Evanston, Ill. (Wildcat WC); 3. Duaine Martin, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps); 4. Michel Santos, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army); 5. Sam Hazewinkel, Pensacola, Fla. (Gator); 6. Neal Rodak, San Diego, Calif. (U.S. Navy); 7. Joe Espinoza, Marquette, Mich. (Gator WC)
Team USA member - Jeff Cervone, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force); University National champion - Tim Morris, Pittsfield, Mass. (Down East Stormers); Regional champions - Chris Connor, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines); NCAA Div. I finalists - Luke Eustice, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) and Stephen Abas, Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)

60 kg/132 lbs.
National champion - Glenn Nieradka, Fort Carson, Colo., (U.S. Army)
National placerwinners - 2. James Gruenwald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids); 3. Dennis Hall, Plover, Wis. (Sunkist Kids); 4. Joe Warren, Grand Rapids, Mich., (New York AC); 5. Jacob Hey, Colorado Springs, Colo., (U.S. Air Force); 6. Harry Lester, Ames, Iowa, (Sunkist Kids); 7. Nathan Piasecki, Marquette, Mich. (Gator WC)
Regional champions - James Johnson, Colorado; Casey Stauffer (unattached); NCAA Div. I finalists - Johnny Thompson, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) and Ryan Lewis, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm);

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
National champion - Kevin Bracken, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
National placerwinners - 2. Marcel Cooper, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps); 3. Steve Woods, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force); 4. Glenn Garrison, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army); 5. Oscar Wood, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army); 6. James Shillow, Fredricksburg, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps); 7. Keith Wilson, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army)
University Nationals champion - Darnell Lollis, Marquette, Mich. (USOEC); Blake Gunter, Laramie, Wyo. (Cowboy WC), Biff Walizer, State College, Pa. (unattached); NCAA Div. I finalists - Aaron Holker, Ames, Iowa (Cyclone WC), Eric Larkin, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), Jared Lawrence, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) and Jared Frayer, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids); Junior World medalist - Joe Privitere, Binghamton, N.Y. (Univ. of Binghamton); Medalist at Group A tournament -Mike Ellsworth, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Michigan WC)

74 kg/163 lbs.
National champion - Keith Sieracki, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army)
National placerwinners - 2. T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC); 3. Darryl Christian, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC); 4. Thomas Ciezki, Evergreen Park, Ill. (Wildcat WC); 5. Keith Barkers, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps); 6. Heath Sims, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC); 7. Joey Clark, Triangle, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps)
University Nationals champion - Pat Cadwallader, Anaheim, Calif. (S. California); World and Olympic team member - David Zuniga, New Brighton, Minn. (Minnesota Storm); Regional champions - Brian Van Hoven, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines), Jason Nunn, Marquette, Mich. (USOEC); NCAA Div. I finalists - Luke Becker, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), Bryan Snyder, Lincoln, Neb. (Dave Schultz WC), Matt Lackey, Urbana, Ill. (New York AC); Joe Heskett, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)

84 kg/185 lbs.
National champion - Ethan Bosch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
National placerwinners - 2. Brad Vering, Waterloo, Iowa (Sunkist Kids); 3. Kenny Owens, Quanitco, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps); 4. Chael Sonnen, Eugene, Ore. (Dave Schultz WC); 5. Justin Millard, Marquette, Mich. (New York AC); 6. Carl Fronhofer, Salem, N.Y. (PWC), 0:46; 7. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
Team USA member - Matt Lindland, Oregon City, Ore. (Sunkist Kids) and Dan Henderson, Gresham, Ore. (Dave Schultz WC); Olympic and World team member - Quincey Clark, Davis, Calif. (Minnesota Storm); University Nationals champion - Jordan Holm, Northfield, Minn. (Cat Club); Regional champions - Mike Mathers, Marquette, Mich. (Gator WC), Jeff Funicello, Gilbert, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), Don Favro, Albany, N.Y. (ATWA); NCAA Div. I finalists - Greg Jones, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids), Greg Parker, Princeton, N.J. (ATWA), Rob Rohn, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC) and Josh Lambrecht, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids); Cael Sanderson, Heber City, Utah (Sunkist Kids)

96 kg/211.75 lbs.
National champion - Garrett Lowney, Freedom, Wis. (Minnesota Storm)
National placerwinners - 2. Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville, Utah, (Dave Schultz WC); 3. Dan Hicks, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps); 4. Ross Thatcher, State College, Pa. (New York AC); 5. Phil Johnston, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force); 6. Tipton Peterson, Triangle, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps); 7. Frank Workman, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines)
Team USA member - Jason Loukides, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) and Al Sankey, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines); University Nationals champion - R.C. Johnson, Plymouth, Minn. (USOEC) ; Regional champions - Chris Moen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached), Brian Kraemer, Fargo, N.D. (Minnesota Storm); NCAA Div. I finalists - Jon Trenge, Orefield, Pa. (New York AC)

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
National champion - Dremiel Byers, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army)
National placerwinners - 2. Billy Pierce, Minneapolis, Minn.(Minnesota Storm); 3. Matt Lamb, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC); 4. Paul Devlin, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army); 5. Joshua Etu, Charlottesville, Va. (Virginia); 6. Corey Farkas, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force); 7. Tyrone Davis, Hempstead, N.Y. (St. Anthony’s)
World and Olympic Team - Rulon Gardner, Cascade, Colo. (Sunkist Kids); University Nationals champion - Andy Bowlby, Newburg, Ore. (Orange Crush); Regional champions - LeRoy Gardner III, Robinsdale, Minn. (Minnesota Storm); NCAA Div. I finalists - Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Dave Schultz WC) and Steve Mocco, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)

Note: Some athletes qualified in more than one way, although just one is noted in this list.

Women’s Freestyle criteria: 1. Top eight at the 2002 Senior National Championships; 2. Current National Team Member - Top three; 3. Top three Finisher in a FILA A Championship in the past three years, including the Pan Ams, but not Sunkist; 4. 2002 University National Champion; 5. Past World Team Member; 6. 2002 Regional Tournament Champion from the Northeast and Northern Plains Regionals; 7. Medalist at Junior World Championships in the past two years

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE
48 kg (105.5 lbs.)
National champion - Patricia Miranda, Stanford, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC)
National placerwinners - 2. Julie Gonzalez, Vallejo, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC); 3. Miriam Jenkins, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines); 4. Clarissa Chun, Kapolei, Hawaii (Missouri Valley); 5. Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (SF Peninsula Grapplers); 6. Katrina Betts, Milan, Mich. (UM-Morris); 7. Malinda Ripley, Antioch, Calif. (Sunkist Kids); 8. Kristen Fujioka, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Pacific)
Team USA member - Sandra Padron, Scottsville, Mich. (unattached); Regional champions - Leah Popolizio, Niskayuna, N.Y. (Cumberland College)

51 kg (112 lbs.)
National champion - Jenny Wong, Stillwater, Minn. (Sunkist Kids)
National placerwinners - 2. Danielle Hobeika, Cambridge, Mass. (Dave Schultz WC); 3. Jillian Yost, Manchester, Conn. (New York AC); 4. Audrey Pang, Princeton, N.J. (PFW), 2:31; 5. Katie Kunimoto, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Pacific); 6. Kera Pemberton, Manhattan, Kan. (Dave Schultz WC); 7. Sarah Hayes, Aurora, Colo. (Cumberland College); 8. Laura Obuhanych, Ewa Beach, Hawaii (Rainbow Wahines)
Junior World medalist - Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (unattached); Medalist at Group A tournament -Marianne Vollmer, Grayling, Mich. (Missouri Valley)

55 kg (121 lbs.)
National champion - Stephanie Murata, Minden, Nev. (Sunkist Kids)
National placerwinners - 2. Malissa Sherwood, Bates City, Mo. (Stars and Stripes); 3. Marcie Van Dusen, Twin Peaks, Calif. (MFWC); 4. Brooke Bogren, Carbondale, Kan. (Sante Fe WC); 5. Tela O’Donnell, Homer, Alaska (Pacific); 6. Jill Remiticado, Forest Grove, Ore. (Pacific); 7. Desi Lockhart, Forest Grove, Ore. (Pacific)
Team USA member - Tina George-Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army); Medalist at FILA A event - Jessica Shirley, Galion, Ohio (Cumberland College), Sarah Tolin, Casper, Wyo. (Dave Schultz WC), Hillary Wolf, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

59 kg (130 lbs.)
National champion - Lauren Lamb, Farmington, N.Y. (Michigan WC)
National placerwinners - 2. Erin Tomeo, Volant, Pa. (Sunkist Kids); 3. Tonya Evinger, Bates City, Mo. (Stars and Stripes); 4. Brandy Rosenbrock, Warren, Mich. (Shamrock); 5. Kiersten Hyatt, Carmichael, Calif. (Missouri Valley); 6. Leigh Jaynes, Burlington, N.J. (Missouri Valley)
Team USA member - Carrie Birge, Marshall, Mo. (unattached); University Nationals champion - Cathilee Albert, Boulder, Colo. (Black Knight)

63 kg (138.5 lbs.)
National champion - Sara McMann, Lock Haven, Pa. (Sunkist Kids)
National placerwinners - 2. Kristie Stenglein-Marano, Albany, N.Y. (ATWA); 3. Tori Adams, Amarillo, Texas (Missouri Valley); 4. Grace Magnussen, Walnut Creek, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC); 5. Sally Roberts, Federal Way, Wash. (Pacific); 6. Tina Arnds, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Missouri Valley); 7. Ginele Lee, Olympia, Wash. (South Sound)

67 kg (147.5 lbs.)
National champion - Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
National placerwinners - 2. Katie Downing, Pendleton, Ind. (UM-Morris); 3. Lisa Bisers, Baltimore, Md.; 4. Brandy Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (Missouri Valley); 5. Cindy Herceg, Los Angeles, Calif. (Spartak); 6. Mollie Keith, Aurelia, Iowa (Missouri Valley); 7. Jimi-Dawn Hornbuckle, State College, Pa. (NLWC); 8. Stephanie Bolton, Honolulu, Hawaii (Cumberland College)

72 kg (158.5 lbs.)
National champion - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
National placerwinners - 2. Kaci Lyle, Eureka, Calif. (Pacific); 3. Satrinina Vernon, Rodeo, Calif. (Missouri Valley); 4. Samantha Branka, Lincoln Park, Mich. (UM-Morris); 5. Donnell Bradley, Aiea, Hawaii (Missouri Valley); 6. Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (Dave Schultz WC); 7. Rachel Glogowski, Mechanicsburg, Pa. (Messiah WC); 8. Alicia Wilson, Santee, Calif. (Minnesota Storm)
Team USA member - Sandra Bacher Fakaosi, San Jose, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC) and Melani Macari, Fremont, Calif. (unattached); Junior World medalist - Dominique Smalley, Iowa City, Iowa (unattached)

Note: Some athletes qualified in more than one way, although just one is noted in this list.

NOTE: Other wrestlers who meet qualifying criterion may identify themselves, and will be added to this list leading up to the event. Some of the anticipated qualifiers may choose not to attend.

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Bridging the Gap; Hawaii wrestlers competing on the mainland

5/9/2002
Ted Witulski/USA Wrestling

It was the night before the 2002 Western Junior Regionals in Las Vegas. At about 10 o’clock in the evening there were still 20 wrestlers on the staged wrestling mat getting personalized instruction from USA Wrestling Developmental Coach Ike Anderson and University of Pennsylvania Assistant Coach Mike Duroe.

As the wrestlers refined their technique in par terre defense, it was clear that they were trying to gain that little extra edge on their opponents. The group, mainly comprised of young wrestlers from the state of Hawaii, had their goal proudly displayed on the back of the t-shirts they wore.

An outline of the islands of Hawaii was displayed distantly from the outline of the continental United States. Linking the islands to the mainland was a graphic of a wrestler in a high back-arching throw. Above the map and toss was the phrase, “Bridging the Gap.”

Hawaii’s ascension to the top wrestling states is by no means complete. There is much work to be done, but clearly there is a committed and growing USA Wrestling organization in Hawaii that is offering wrestlers and coaches the opportunity to get deeply involved in the sport of wrestling.

To take a team from Hawaii to a mainland wrestling tournament many hours of legwork has to be completed months in advance. Hawaii’s Women’s Director John Kerley, notes, “We start in December to organize a trip like this. It really is a five or six month process.”

Kids from Hawaii that want to wrestle mainland competition must also commit to raising the resources to cover the costs themselves. The wrestlers fundraise tenaciously with car washes, candy sales, and coupon books. “It’s an expensive proposition but in many ways the small state of Hawaii is on course to accomplish big things in the wrestling world,” said Kerley.

At last summer’s Junior Nationals, Hawaii’s Travis Lee stormed through the Greco-Roman field and won Hawaii’s first Junior National Title. Lee then astounded the mainland wrestlers by following up his Greco-Roman gold with a freestyle gold as well. The scene was a picture of elation, as the Hawaii delegation celebrated Lee’s success.

Billy Wood, a dedicated wrestling coach from Hawaii, states, “We are really trying to catch up with the mainland in the wrestling scene. These are the kids who are widening the path that Travis Lee blazed for us last year. We use his (Travis’) video from Fargo as an inspirational tool. He really made believers out of all us here in Hawaii.”

Lee didn’t disappoint his home state this year in Albany, N.Y. at the NCAA Championships. He turned in a spectacular performance by earning All-American status as a true freshman for Cornell at the 125-pound weight class. While Lee will forever be remembered as the founding father of success from the state, women’s wrestling is on the brink of achieving history as well for Hawaii.

Hawaii already has a strong contingent of women wrestlers that are also gunning to win the first Women’s Junior National Team Title this July in Fargo at the inaugural Junior Women’s tournament. Hawaii has a deep field of talent in the women’s division. Seven women wrestlers made the trip to Las Vegas in April. Hawaii, one of only two states that offers an official state tournament for girls, is also looking to field a full team of women in Fargo.

“We’ll see how many girls that we can convince that this will be history in the making and they need to be a part of it,” says Wood. “If we get the girls to go, we have enough girls to dominate over there.”

With the success that many Hawaii wrestlers are having in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling many more wrestlers from the state are joining the USA Wrestling ranks to hone their skills in the spring and summer tourneys.

John Kerley says that Travis Lee’s high school coach (Todd Losbanos) credits the USA Wrestling schedule with his successful transition to the NCAAs. “It has inspired all Hawaii wrestlers,” states Kerley.

As more Hawaii youth want to participate in the international styles, many more high school coaches are also getting involved with these traveling teams. “Coaches want to keep up with their wrestlers. They see a commitment in the kids and feel the duty to be a coach for more than just the high school season,” cites Wood.

The teams from Hawaii that travel to mainland are exposed to a whole other level of wrestling than they were used to. For the many wrestlers that traveled to Vegas for the Western Regionals, the weekend was not filled with medal performances.

Only Laura Obuhanych placed by earning eighth at the 51 kg class in the Senior Women’s Nationals. Her placing though qualified her for the next big step on the path to excellence - the World Team Trials in Saint Paul, Minn., June 21-23. Obuhanych plans to take advantage of her qualification and wrestle in the tournament that determines the next Women’s Team USA.

The wrestlers were impressed with the level of competition. They also enjoyed how easy it was to meet the many heroes of the sport that were in town for the U.S. Nationals. The Hawaii team sought out autographs from Olympic Medalists and World Champions, while they battled for victories in the Junior tournament.

Billy Wood related the story of the team sitting silently in the van after they had been eliminated from the tournament. The wrestlers had learned about the highest level of competition and had taken some lumps doing it. Shawn Tsutsum, one of Hawaii’s 119 pounders, broke the silence by saying, “Wow, these guys are serious!”

It has been a learning process for the wrestling community from Hawaii. But, the sights for Hawaii’s wrestlers are set very high. With the growing exposure of wrestling in the state, more and more kids are determined to raise their level of performance and “Bridge the Gap” to their mainland counterparts.

John Kerley reflects the feelings of the wrestling community, which is optimistic about Hawaii’s wrestling future. “I fully expect an Olympic team member to be from Hawaii,” he said.

The goals, the organization, the commitment and the determination seem to be coming together for the wrestling community in Hawaii.

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