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Wrestling on the high school level grows in some categories according National Federation statistics
9/14/2002
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
High school wrestling is continuing to grow in some categories, according to statistics released for the 2001-02 school year by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
The number of boys wrestling teams showed growth from the previous year, as did the number of girls competitors, according to statistics released this week. In addition, the total number of boys and girls participating in high school wrestling also increased.
The number of boys high school wrestling teams was 9,578 for the year, an increase from the 9,404 teams in the 2000-01 season. This increase of 174 teams represented a 1.9% increase in teams from the previous year.
Wrestling moved up to a No. 8 ranking in the number of boys programs, up from a No. 9 ranking for the last three years. It was the 10th straight year that the number of boys wrestling teams had increased. Only basketball, outdoor track and field, baseball, football, golf, cross country and soccer had more programs than wrestling.
Girls wrestling continued its growth trend of recent years as well. According to the survey, the number of girls in high school wrestling grew to 3,405 participants, up from the 3,032 participants in the 2000-2001 season. This increase of 373 girls participants represents an outstanding 12.3 percent increase.
The number of boys wrestlers dropped just slightly, going from 244,984 participants a year ago to 244,637 participants in 2001-02. This drop of 347 wrestlers accounts for just a decrease of just 0.1 percent.
Wrestling remained ranked No. 6 in the number of boys participants. Only football, basketball, outdoor track and field, baseball and soccer had more participating boys than wrestling.
When combining boys and girls wrestlers on the national level, the number of high school wrestlers grew slightly, with 248,042 in 2001-02 in comparison to 248,016 in 2000-2001. This was an increase of 26 total wrestlers.
Based on figures from the 51 state high school athletic/activity associations, participation in all high school athletics during 2001-2002 was 6,767,515 participants, an all-time record for high school participation. Total participation increased for both boys and girls during the year.
The NFHS has compiled the survey since 1971 based on figures from its 51 member state associations. With the exception of a slight decrease from 1987-88 to 1988-89, total participation has risen each year since the 1983-84 year.
In the listing of total athletic participants by state, Texas remains No. 1 with 773,850, followed by California (656,245), New York (338,248), Illinois (301,626), Michigan (301,196), Ohio (299,351), Pennsylvania (243,765), New Jersey (214,870), Florida (211,936) and Minnesota (211,693).
The top 10 states for boys wrestling participation were California (24,326), Illinois (14,205), Ohio (13,319), New York (12,646), Michigan (11,705), Minnesota (8,622), New Jersey (8,389), Pennsylvania (8,388), Florida (7,987) and Washington (7,896). All states, except Arkansas, reported boys wrestling participants.
A total of 30 states reported girls wrestlers to the NFHS. Texas had the highest total (941), followed by California (752), Hawaii (267), Florida (200), Michigan (180), Georgia (123), Washington (112), Ohio (96), Arizona (91) and Alaska (70).
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Neosho, Menlo, Cumberland have strong recruiting years in U.S. women’s college wrestling
9/15/2002
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
With the 2002-03 U.S. women’s college wrestling season to begin in a few weeks, TheMat.com reviewed the recruiting classes for the top college varsity and club teams that are expected to be active on a national level this year.
The United States college scene features six varsity wrestling programs this season, as Pacific Univ. (Ore.) moved up to a varsity after competing as a club program last year. All six varsity programs are being evaluated for their recruiting efforts, alongside a few other schools that have women on their men’s team or have a women’s wrestling club.
Three colleges made big strides with their programs by bringing in large and successful recruiting classes: Neosho County CC (Kan.), Menlo College (Calif.) and Cumberland College (Ky.).
Two of the oldest and most successful varsity college teams, Missouri Valley College and the Univ. of Minnesota-Morris, had small but talented recruiting classes. Pacific Univ., the newest varsity, also had a small class, but now with a full-time coach looks for a big haul next season.
Among the colleges that have girls competing on their men’s teams that reported new recruits were Cal State-Bakersfield and Princeton.
A team-by-team review of the recruiting classes follows. TheMat.com will list the teams in order of the relative strength of the incoming class, with the athletes’ projected weight classes listed. All are freshmen, unless specifically noted:
1. NEOSHO COUNTY CC
Coach John Taylor has a great recruiting class mostly because of quality of four outstanding individuals. Neosho has pulled in two TheMat.com/ASICS First Team members, a TheMat.com/ASICS Second Team member and another athlete who has been out of high school awhile but has national-level achievements.
One of the First Teamers is Mary Kelly of Illinois (105). Kelly is ranked No. 3 on the Senior level in freestyle, making her a member of Women’s Team USA. She won silver medals at the University Nationals, FILA Junior Nationals and Junior Nationals last year. Although she was third at the USGWA folkstyle nationals in 2002, she is a former champion. Kelly is considered one of the nation’s best young women athletes, a potential Olympian.
The other First Teamer is Alicia Mena of Minnesota (158), who was a Junior Nationals champion this year and placed second at the USGWA folkstyle nationals. Mena has placed at many Senior-level freestyle competitions in the past few years. Taylor also brought in the older Mena sister, Elena Mena (147), who has also been nationally ranked on the Senior level in the past few years. Both Mena sisters have a closet full of age-group medals, and both will be immediately competitive.
The Second Teamer is Linse Meadows of Texas (130), who has impressive achievements in both freestyle and folkstyle. She is a Texas state high school champion (Texas and Hawaii are the only two states with official state high school meets). Meadows was third in the USGWA folkstyle nationals, and fourth at the FILA Junior Nationals in freestyle.
The rest of the recruiting class includes Yvette Madrid of Texas (112), Jamie Bottomley of Texas (138) and Holly Kenneda of Nebraska (169).
Led by the four proven stars, Neosho County should be able to mix in their returning sophomores and field a competitive team in dual meets and tournaments. Last year, Neosho County finished sixth in the final TheMat.com U.S. College Women’s Wrestling Team rankings, and with the help of this group of freshmen, the team should be confident that it can move up.
Neosho County CC recruiting class
105 - Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill.
112 - Yvette Madrid, Amarillo, Texas
130 - Linse Meadows, Katy, Texas
138 - Jamie Bottomley, College Station, Texas
147 - Elena Mena, St. Paul, Minn.
158 - Alicia Mena St. Paul, Minn.
158+ - Holly Kenneda Kearney, Neb.
2. MENLO COLLEGE
Menlo College, in its second year as a varsity, infused new life in the program with a strong recruiting class. Women’s Coach Lee Allen pulled in eight new women wrestlers, all freshmen, seven of which are from either California or Hawaii, two of the nation’s strongest wrestling states. Menlo gets the nod at No. 2 for having a variety of very good athletes, not on the strength of any of the individuals.
Leading the class is 2002 Junior Nationals champion Linse Owens, who is projected to compete at 121 pounds for Menlo. Owens was an honorable mention TheMat.com/ASICS selection this year, but beat a number of higher-rated athletes on the way to her memorable Junior Nationals gold medal in Fargo, N.D.
Among the new freshmen is TheMat.com/ASICS Second Teamer Shani Alvarado of Hawaii (147), a USGWA folkstyle national champion and a Hawaii state high school champion. Making Third Team on TheMat.com/ASICS team was Raquel Magdaleno of Michigan (130), who was fourth at this year’s USGWA Nationals. An honorable mention selection on TheMat.com/ASICS team was Teresa Dal Ben of California (121), who was fifth at the 2002 USGWA folkstyle nationals. These athletes will have a big challenge of learning freestyle, but with former Greco-Roman Olympic Coach Allen as their mentor, it should be a quick learning curve.
One of the most experienced incoming freshmen in freestyle is Tanya Miyasaki of Hawaii (105). She was third at this summer’s Junior Nationals, and was a Senior-level U.S. Nationals placewinner two years ago. Menlo has another talented lightweight coming in, Tabitha Coffey of California (105), who was fifth at the Junior Nationals and sixth at the USGWA folkstyle nationals last season. Also coming in will be Dina Tavera of California (138), who competed on the Women’s age-group tour to China this summer, along with Lisa Sakoda of Hawaii (112).
Menlo had a rough first year, with a small first class of athletes and some key injuries, finishing 10th in the final TheMat.com U.S. College Women’s Wrestling Team rankings. This incoming class should allow Menlo to become a stronger team, both in dual meets and major tournaments.
Menlo College recruiting class
105 - Tabitha Coffey, San Diego, Calif.
105 - Tanya Miyasaki, Kaneohe, Hawaii
112 - Lisa Sakoda, Hilo, Hawaii
121 - Linse Owens, Ripon, Calif.
121 - Teresa Dal Ben, Sacramento, Calif.
130 - Raquel Magdaleno, Little Lake, Mich.
138 - Dina Tavera, Watsonville, Calif.
147 - Shani Alvarado, Kaiulani, Hawaii
3. CUMBERLAND COLLEGE
Cumberland College brings in nine new athletes, including two transfers. There is a mix of proven talent and a few raw projects, something that Women’s coach Kip Flanik truly enjoys working with. All of the newcomers will have a tremendous role model to work with, 2001 International Women’s Wrestler of Year Toccara Montgomery, just a sophomore on the team.
Included in the mix are two TheMat.com/ASICS First Team members, Brooke Bogren of Kansas (112) and Alaina Berube of Michigan (130). Both of these athletes are expected to make an immediate impact on the national scene. Bogren is arguably the nation’s top freshman recruit, along with Neosho’s Mary Kelly.
Bogren has already tasted success on the Senior Women’s level, placing fourth at the 2001 U.S. Nationals. She also claimed gold medals at the FILA Junior Nationals in freestyle as well as USGWA folkstyle nationals. Berube was also a USGWA folkstyle national champion. Ironically, these athletes were at the same weight class at the first Junior Nationals, with Berube placing third and Bogren taking fourth. Bogren was competing up in weight in Fargo, and Berube is reportedly still growing, so they should not be in the same weight class again.
Cumberland brings in three other athletes who placed in the top 10 at last year’s USGWA folkstyle nationals: Shelly Ruberg of Ohio (130), Aja Smith of Indiana (147) and Colleen McKinney of Illinois (112). The recruiting class includes a pair of transfers, Jaimie Alvesteffer of Michigan (130) and Brenda McDaniels of Massachusetts (121). Alvasteffer competed at Missouri Valley College a few years back. Rounding out the Cumberland recruits are Beth Deroy of California (158) and Jessi Clifton of Georgia (158).
Cumberland finished last season with a No. 5 team ranking in the final TheMat.com U.S. College Women’s Wrestling Team rankings. This group of athletes gives Cumberland the potential to battle the top few teams in each and every competition.
Cumberland College recruiting class
112 - Colleen McKinney, Illinois
112 - BrookeBogren, Carbondale,Kan.
121 - Brenda McDaniels, Mass., junior transfer
130 - Jamie Alvesteffer, Custer, Mich., junior transfer
130 - Shelly Ruburg, Miamisburg, Ohio
130 - Alaina Berube, Escanaba,Mich.
147 - Aja Smith, Bright, Ind.
158 - Beth Deroy, Rosamond,Calif.
158 - Jessi Clifton, Metters,Ga.
4. MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE
The nation’s top women’s college program, Missouri Valley College brought in a small recruiting class in comparison to other years. Coach Mike Machholz’ Vikings have always been the largest women’s college team, with the most depth at each division. The recruiting list includes just five athletes, but all five have tasted success on the national level. Maccholz hit the West Coast hard this year, claiming three Californians and an Arizonan.
Emily Rinehart of California (138) was honored on the Second Team of TheMat.com/ASICS All-American team. She was second at the USGWA folkstyle nationals and fourth at the Junior Nationals in freestyle.
Three of the recruits were honorable mention selections on TheMat.com/ASICS All-American Team: Kelly Branham of Arizona (147), Emilee Murphree of California (121) and Christie Rafanan of California (112). Rafanan was third and Branham was fourth at last year’s USGWA folkstyle nationals. Murphree was a strong third at the Junior Nationals.
The final recruit was Danielle Bowen of Massachusetts (112), who has placed at USGWA folkstyle events and USA Wrestling age-group freestyle events. Like the other four, Bowen comes in with a solid foundation of experience.
This year, Missouri Valley will have its smallest and youngest squad in recent seasons. In order for the Vikings to hold on to its No. 1 spot in the nation, some of the five freshmen may have to step up and make an impact.
Missouri Valley College recruiting class
112 - Christie Rafanan, Yountville, Calif.
112 - Danielle Bowen, South Attleboro, Mass.
121 - Emilee Murphree, Napa, Calif.
138 - Emily Rinehart, Orland, Calif.
147 - Kelly Branham, Apache Junction, Ariz.
5. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-MORRIS
The nation’s first women’s college varsity team, UM-Morris has always fielded a program with individual talent and solid depth. Coach Doug Reese brought in a group of athletes consistent with previous teams, which should help keep the team near the top of the U.S. rankings.
Perhaps the top new college wrestler is Marcie Van Dusen of California (121), a junior transfer. Van Dusen was one of the nation’s best age-group athletes in high school, but was off the mats for a few seasons. This year, Van Dusen returned with a passion, placing third at the Senior U.S. Nationals, then qualifying for Women’s Team USA by placing third at the Senior World Team Trials. She may be the best in her weight on the college level, even before her first college match.
The other top talent coming in will be Tabathia Ramsey of Texas, a TheMat.com/ASICS honorable mention selection. Ramsey was a Texas high school state champion and placed fifth at the USGWA folkstyle nationals. She will need to make the transition to freestyle this season.
The other UM-Morris recruits are Ranae Faaborg of Iowa (130), Sharon Jacobson of California (138) and Megan Goldsmith of Wisconsin (158).
UM-Morris has a solid foundation of returning athletes, and should be able to match or improve on its No. 3 final selection in last year’s TheMat.com U.S. College Women’s Wrestling Team rankings. With Van Dusen capable of great things, this team will once again be very competitive on the national level.
Minnesota-Morris recruiting class
112 - Tabathia Ramsey, Austin, Texas
121 - Marcie Van Dusen, Monterey, Calif., junior transfer
130 - Ranae Faaborg, Radcliffe, Iowa
138 - Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif.
158 -Megan Goldsmith, Black River Falls, Wis.
6. CAL-STATE BAKERSFIELD
The Roadrunners were one of the first colleges to encourage women to wrestle, and for a few years, had a number of nationally-ranked athletes, including U.S. World Team members. Coach TJ Kerr has not had top women competing the last few years, but this small but impressive recruiting class should change that. Cal-Bakersfield is one of the programs where the women are part of the men’s varsity team, but they are expected to be active on the national college freestyle scene.
All three Bakersfield recruits are California girls. Laura Felix (121) comes in as a TheMat.com/ASICS Third Team selection, and Amantha Hordagoda (105) was on the team as an honorable mention choice. Both wrestlers placed fifth at last year’s USGWA Nationals in folkstyle. The other incoming woman on the team is Tiffany Martin (130).
Expect to hear “Cal-State Bakersfield” once again on the national women’s scene. With the wealth of talent in California, this team could become a force again if the athletic administration lets coach Kerr expand the women’s program.
Cal State-Bakersfield recruiting class
105 - Amantha Hordagoda, Sunnyvale, Calif.
121 - Laura Felix, Calabasas, Calif.
130 - Tiffany Martin, Wasco, Calif.
7. PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
The nation’s newest women’s college varsity will have a rebuilding year. The Boxers finished last year as the nation’s No. 2 college program, even though it was considered a club team. The announcement that the women’s team would be a varsity this year was a great boost to women’s college wrestling, as well as something that will help Pacific in the recruiting wars in years to come.
This past spring, the school went through the process of selecting a new coach, missing most of the recruiting season. In addition, its top four returning athletes were talented enough to qualify for the USOTC resident program in Colorado. With new full-time wrestling coach Scott Miller taking both the men’s and women’s program in a new direction, it is safe to expect Pacific to bring in many of the nation’s top recruits in the future.
The top incoming freshman is Jennifer Miyahara of Hawaii (130), who made Third Team on TheMat.com/ASICS All-American team. A Hawaii state high school champion, Miyahara placed second last year at the USGWA folkstyle nationals. Joining Miyahara in the Pacific room this year will be Melissa Deiman of Alaska (114) and Salomae Gibson of Florida (138), both with solid folkstyle credentials. Last year, Pacific’s athletes may have made the most improvement from the start of the season to the year’s end. If this trend continues, these new freshmen may be able to make names for themselves.
Pacific University recruiting class
114 - Melissa Deiman, Ninilchik, Alaska
130 - Jennifer Miyahara, Honolulu, Hawaii
138 - Salomae Gibson, Kissimmee, Fla.
8. PRINCETON
Princeton is another major college program that includes women on their men’s varsity team. Last year, the Tigers had two women competing on the national level, both who showed skill and potential. This year, Coach Michael New added another women to the team, as well as a female coach to work with the athletes, Team USA member Danielle Hobeika.
The new Princeton woman is Reona Kumagai of New York (105). A placewinner on the national folkstyle scene, Kumagai has five years of wrestling background and has been active on the East Coast circuit. Her progress will help determine if Princeton can best its No. 8 final ranking in last year’s TheMat.com U.S. College Women’s Wrestling Team rankings.
Princeton recruiting class
105 - Reona Kumagai, Huntington Station, N.Y.
The growth of women’s college wrestling will be accelarated as the nation develops more talented high school athletes that desire to wrestle in college. The ability of the existing women’s college teams to bring in strong classes like the ones entering school this year will help fuel the growth of the sport. Women’s wrestling leaders hope to encourage more colleges to start new teams each season, giving our best young athletes more choice in their college options.
There may be other new freshmen women wrestlers joining other college teams this year. TheMat.com will report on where these athletes are training as it receives the information from colleges as the season begins.
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Wrestler waiting for `biggest award'
Sep. 13, 2002. 01:00 AM
Winning Canadian citizenship is student athlete's No. 1 goal
Salpi Haikaz remembers some of those lengthy discussions with her parents, particularly the ones in which they tried to convince her not to participate in high school wrestling.
Injuries — Haikaz was already the victim of a dislocated shoulder and knees repeatedly pounded to the mats — were a prime concern, but the opinionated student athlete refused to pack it in, determined to convince her parents she would be just fine.
"Winning wasn't everything to me, I just loved the sport and the individual control," said the 20-year-old former Toronto District School Board gold medallist in the 61-kilogram class. "My parents didn't agree; they were constantly worried about me. I can understand that but participating in sports, like wrestling, has really made me a better person."
Haikaz, who came to Canada with her family from Iraq in 1997, graduated from L'Amoreaux Collegiate last June with impressive grades and female senior athlete of the year honours. She had already won the junior title, but offered to trade all her awards for Canadian citizenship.
"It's been an amazing year, the applause from friends and the huge trophy. I could never imagine something like this would happen to me," said the 5-foot-8 Haikaz, whose name was added to the school's sports wall of fame after she captured rookie of the year honours in field hockey to go along with the MVP title in wrestling.
"The recognition is great but I'm still waiting for the biggest award of my life — to be a Canadian."
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