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WRESTLING: Women wrestlers’ fate to be debated over

United News Of India
New Delhi, June 3:

The governing body of the Asian Associate Wrestling Committee (AAWC) would discuss the induction of women’s wrestling in Olympic-2004 in its meeting in New Delhi tomorrow.

President of the Wrestling Federation of India MS Malik disclosed this here today, saying that other issues to be discussed in the meeting are the development of wrestling, resource generation, preparation and participation in Olympics-2004 being held at Athens.

He said that the president of AAWC Kim Chang Kew would preside over the meeting. Raphael Martinetti, president, Federation International des Luttes Association (FILA) would be the special invitee at the meeting. Also, delegates from 15 countries are likely to participate in the meeting.

Women’s wrestling was first inducted in the Asian Games at Busan. In order to promote games and provide an opportunity to the Indians to watch the performance of wrestlers on the mat, the WFI has allowed free entry for all during the 16th Asian Wrestling Championship to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi from June 5 to 8.

Admirers of wrestling will be provided with a chance to watch some of the more prominent Indian wrestlers in action during the meet. The federation has also promised time to interact with the players and the ‘khalifas’.

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2003 Women’s World Team Trials preview at 55 kg/121 lbs.

6/4/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

A new wave of young talent is making an impact in U.S. women’s wrestling circles. One of these exciting stars is Tela O’Donnell of the Dave Schultz WC, who captured her first U.S. Senior Nationals title this year. On the way to the gold, O’Donnell had to beat a pair of past World finalists, 2001 World silver medalist Stephanie Murata of the Sunkist Kids and 2002 World silver medalist Tina George of the U.S. Army.

O’Donnell’s victory in Las Vegas was not a surprise to those who have seen her rapid improvement since joining the USOTC resident program. She made her debut on the Senior level last year, competing with distinction for Pacific Univ. This season, O’Donnell picked it up, also winning the University Nationals, where she was named Outstanding Wrestler.

Nothing is guaranteed at this weight division, which has considerable depth and talent. O’Donnell barely got past the veteran stars, beating Murata 9-8 in the semifinals and George 6-4 in the finals.

George has won the U.S. World Team Trials at her weight class for five straight years. Last year, she put together her best World tournament, wrestling very well in every single match. Her strength, physical skills and experience makes George competitive in every single bout. She is a member of the Army World Class Athlete Program, one of two nationally ranked women wrestling star pursuing their dreams in this program.

Murata had the longest current U.S. Nationals winning streak snapped, after winning a national title for seven straight years. She rebounded from the one-point loss to O’Donnell to capture third at the U.S. Nationals. Last year, the World Team Trials finals featured a George vs. Murata series, with George emerging in the third-and-deciding bout. Murata challenged for and won the spot on the U.S. team at 112.25 pounds, and went on to take 10th at the World Championships as George’s teammate. Because 121 pounds is an Olympic weight class, Murata is back in the division, trying to reach her goal of making the Olympic Games.

Another young star who is refining her craft as a USOTC resident athlete is Marcie Van Dusen of the Sunkist Kids, who was fourth in Las Vegas. Van Dusen was third at the 2002 World Team Trials, after taking a few years off from the sport. She competed at UM-Morris in the fall semester, then moved to Colorado Springs this winter. Van Dusen was an age-group World medalist coming through the USA Wrestling system, and has quickly become a star on the Senior level.

The next two placewinners at the U.S. Nationals come from the college ranks, with Kierstin Hyatt of Missouri Valley placing fifth and Desiree Lockhart of Pacific Univ. placing sixth. Both came to Las Vegas after solid college seasons, and both have the potential to continue their improvement on the Senior level.

Taking seventh at the U.S. Nationals was veteran Danielle Hobeika of the Dave Schultz WC. Hobeika placed second in the U.S. Nationals at 112.25 pounds last year, but decided to test herself at the Olympic weight class. It will be interesting to see if Hobeika stays in this division on a long-term basis, or if she decides to drop back down. The final All-American at this division is Cathy Migita of the Rainbow Wahine WC in Hawaii, who was eighth. Migita is among the talented Hawaiian athletes who are making such an impact on the national women’s wrestling scene.

Two athletes who qualified for the World Team Trials based upon medals at international events could be a major factor in the Challenge Tournament: Malissa Sherwood of Stars and Stripes and Jessi Shirley of Cumberland College. Sherwood was second in the 2002 U.S. Nationals and has qualified for Women’s Team USA on a number of occasions. She did not participate in Las Vegas. Shirley earned a spot on the 2003 Junior World Team at this weight division, defeating Migita in the championship finals. Shirley was injured at the U.S. Nationals and withdrew, but is expected to be ready for Indianapolis.

Two other college students have qualified to compete at the World Team Trials, Katie Ross of UM-Morris and Sarah Tolin of the Dave Schultz WC. Ross won a Regional title this year to earn her ticket to Indianapolis. Tolin is a past medalist at the Dave Schultz Memorial International.

This should be one of the fiercest weight divisions in the women’s tournament at the World Team Trials this year. With veteran stars Tina George and Stephanie Murata in the Challenge Tournament, along with up-and-coming star Marcie VanDusen, the first two days should be very exciting. Whoever emerges to face Tela O’Donnell will have confidence that she can win the Championship Series. O’Donnell will have to prove that she can win two out of three with everything on the line. You won’t want to miss the showdown here.

2003 U.S. Women’s Nationals results at 55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) dec. Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 6-4
3rd - Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Marcie VanDusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 7-1
5th - Kiersten Hyatt (Carmichael, Calif./Missouri Valley) dec. Desiree Lockhart (Forest Grove, Ore./Pacific), 14-10
7th - Danielle Hobeika (Princeton, N.J./Dave Schultz WC) by fall over Cathy Migita (Honolulu, Hawaii/Rainbow Wahine WC), 4:52

2003 Women’s World Team Trials qualifiers at 55 kg (121 lbs.)
National champion - Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC)
National placerwinners - 2. Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army); 3. Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids); 4. Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids); 5. Kiersten Hyatt (Carmichael, Calif./Missouri Valley); 6. Desiree Lockhart (Port Townsend, Wash./Pacific); 7. Danielle Hobeika (Princeton, N.J./Dave Schultz WC); 8. Cathy Migita (Honolulu, Hawaii/Rainbow Wahine WC)
Regional champions - Katie Ross (Greensboro, N.C./UM-Morris); Medalist at Group A Tournament - Jessi Shirley (Galion, Ohio/Cumberland College); Melissa Sherwood (Bates City, Mo./Stars and Stripes); Sarah Tolin (Casper, Wyo./Dave Schultz WC)

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10 Questions for U.S. Nationals champion Tela O'Donnell

6/4/2003
John Fuller/USA Wrestling

TELA O'DONNELL
2002-03 Team USA Ranking: No. 5 at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Years on Team USA: 1 (2003-04)
Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club: Dave Schultz WC
College: Pacific Univ.
High School: Homer, Ak. (Homer HS)
Born: July 16, 1982
Height: 5-6

1. You had about as good of a U.S. Nationals tournament as any women’s wrestler ever has. Were you surprised at all by the end result of winning the title?
O’Donnell: I was proud of myself, so I feel like I performed well. I know I’ve been learning a lot this past year at the Training Center with Coach Steiner. I don’t know if surprised is the word, but I was excited. It was neat to see actual results from what I have been learning.

2. You defeated both the 2001 (Stephanie Murata) and the 2002 (Tina George) World silver medalists in the tournament. How did you prepare for those matches?
O’Donnell: Just being excited to wrestle and working on keeping myself in good position. I was confident and wanted to go out there and enjoy myself. That’s what helps me wrestle good.

3. Against George, you beat her using a half nelson late in the match. It took you a while before she actually turned, though. Did you think she might not go over to her back at all?
O’Donnell: I was thinking “I’m not going to get this, but I must.” It was good for me because I like to see the extra push in myself.

4. Why did you decide to cut your college career at Pacific short and move to the U.S. Olympic Training Center?
O’Donnell: I really think that this is a good program and it seemed like it just happened. It’s definitely a good plan for me.

5. What have you improved on since you have become a resident athlete in Colorado Springs?
O’Donnell: I have a lot of holes in my wrestling. I think my holes might be getting a little smaller. Coach Steiner has been helping me by working on some leg attacks and I am getting more confident with them. I also feel that I am getting better in par terre. I have been using more of a trap-arm and a leg lace.

6. Who has been the most help to you since you became a resident athlete?
O’Donnell: My teammates and Coach Steiner. Everybody is working real hard. It’s nice to get in and get beat up by Patricia (Miranda). I like wrestling with Marcie (Van Dusen) and it is good for both of us. Coach Steiner is such a good coach in so many areas. I couldn’t have designed a better person for this program here.

7. You placed fifth last year at both the Trials and U.S. Nationals. What are you going to do now to prepare for two days of watching matches before you get to compete?
O’Donnell: I’ve never been in this situation before. I have to keep thinking that these girls that are wrestling are working real hard. During the tournament, I think I am going to get some matches in on my days off. I am just excited to wrestle.

8. Do you think you will be nervous when you first step onto the mat?
O’Donnell: I am sure I am going to be. I think that’s good.

9. Are you preparing for anyone specific to come out Challenge Tournament?
O’Donnell: Not really. The people at the top of my weight class are strong wrestlers. It could be any of them.

10. How did you get into the sport of wrestling?
O’Donnell: In Junior High, I was no good in volleyball and wrestling was the only other sport. I have a physical lifestyle. I just caught on to it. It was a good sport. It didn’t involve any sticks or balls.