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Junior Women's Freestyle Brackets/Results 7/26/03
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7/23/2003
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
The U.S. has finalized its women's freestyle wrestling roster for the Pan American Games which will be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, August 5-6. This will mark the first time that women's wrestling has been featured at the Pan American Games, an event held once every four years.
The women will compete in the four Olympic weight classes: 48 kg/105.5 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
The U.S. squad will be led by World medalists Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Miranda was a World silver medalist in 2000. She did not place at the 2002 World Championships, losing a 3-2 decision in pool competition to eventual World bronze medalist Ida Hellstrom of Sweden.
Miranda competed for the men's wrestling team at Stanford Univ., where she was the starting 125-pounder her senior season. She has been accepted into law school at Yale but will not attend until after the 2004 Olympic Games.
She placed third at the Pan American Championships, losing to Lindsay Belisle of Canada. Miranda may either see Belisle or or two-time World medalist Carol Huyhn as the Canadian representative. Miranda has defeated Huyhn twice in the past year.
George won a World silver medal in 2002. She has competed in the World Championships four times, placing sixth in 1999 to go along with her silver medal. She was also named the 2002 U.S. Army Female Athlete of the Year.
George placed second at the Pan American Championships in March, losing matches to Tonya Verbeek of Canada and Marcia Andrade of Venezuela. She also dropped a match to Jennifer Ryz of Canada at the Titan Games. George is likely to see two of these competitors at the Pan American Games.
Montgomery captured a World silver medal in 2001. She moved up in weight class in 2002 to 72 kg/158.5 lbs. and has earned spots on the U.S. World Team at that weight that last two years. She placed 10th at the World Championships in 2002, losing only to eventual World silver medalist Wang Xu of China in pool competition.
The 20 year-old phenom has also captured gold medals at the Pan American Championships the last two years. She currently competes at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky.
Montgomery's stiffest competition may come from Ohenewa Akuffo of Canada, an opponent Montgomery has defeated four times in the past year, but recently lost to at the Canada Cup in Guelph, Ontario. Montgomery downed Akuffo twice in the Pan American Championships in March.
Also competing for the U.S. team will be Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
McMann was won the U.S. World Team Trials four consecutive times. Her only loss at the 2002 World Championships was in pool competition to Kaori Icho of Japan, the reigning World Champion. McMann defeated Icho at the Klippan Lady's Open in Sweden in March.
She previously competed for the Lock Haven Univ. men’s wrestling team.
McMann will be the favorite to win this weight class, but may receive her toughest competition from either Tara Hedican or Trish Leibel of Canada.
The U.S. women's team will be coached by Tricia Saunders (Phoenix, Ariz.). Saunders holds numerous USA Wrestling women's records, including most women's World gold medals (4), most women's World Teams (9) and most women's national titles (11). She also ranks second for most women's World medals overall with five.
She was named as USA Wrestling's Women's Wrestler of the Year three times (1993, 1996, 1999).
Countries qualified to compete in the Pan American Games through the Pan American Championships in March, which were held in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The top eight place winners from that event qualified their respective countries to compete at that weight class in the Pan American Games.
This event will serve as the last major competition for the U.S. squad before the World Championships, which will be held in New York City, N.Y. at the world-famous Madison Square Garden, Sept. 12-14.
Pan Am Games
August 5-6, at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
U.S. Women's Freestyle Roster
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (Cumberland College)
Coach: Tricia Saunders (Phoenix, Ariz.)
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Bios of Women's Freestyle Pan American Games Team
7/23/2003
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
PATRICIA MIRANDA
2003-04 Team USA Ranking: No. 1 at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Years on Team USA: 5 (1998-00, 02-04)
Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club: Dave Schultz WC
Club coach: Chris Horpel
College: Stanford Univ.
High School: Saratoga, Calif. (Saratoga)
Born: June 11, 1979 in Monteca, Calif.
Height: 5-0
International Competition: 2003 U.S. Nationals champion... Third in 2003 Pan American Championships... Third in 2003 Klippan Ladies Open (Sweden)... 2003 Kiev Grand Prix Champion (Ukraine)... 2003 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion... Fourth in 2003 Ivan Yarygin Memorial International (Russia)... 2003 Gilbert Schaub Open champion (France)... 2002 New York Athletic Club Christmas Championships champion... Participated in 2002 Kurt Angle Classic... 2002 Henri Deglane Challenge champion (France)... DNP in 2002 World Championships... 2002 Pan American Championships champion... Fourth in 2001 World Cup... Third in 2001 Manitoba Open (Canada)... 2000 World silver medalist... Third in 2000 Dave Schultz Memorial International... 1999-2000 Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open champion... Seventh in 1999 Gilbert Schaub Open (France)... Second in 1997 Sunkist Kids International Open...
U.S. Competition: 2002-03 World Team Trials champion... 2002-03 U.S. Nationals champion... Second in 1998, 2001 World Team Trials... Third in 2001 U.S. Nationals... Second in 2000-01 University Nationals... Second in 1998 and 2000 U.S. Nationals... 2000 Aggie Open champion... Third in 1999 World Team Trials... Fourth in 1999 U.S. Nationals... Fifth in 1997 U.S. Nationals... Second in 1997 Western States Open... Fifth in 1996 World Team Trials... Fourth in 1996 U.S. Nationals...
College: Attended Stanford University, where she was coached by Steve Buddie and Jay Jackson as a member of the varsity men’s wrestling team... started at 125 lbs. as a senior... Studied Economics and International Policy ...
High School: Attended Saratoga HS... Competed on the high school wrestling team, coached by Lloyd Asato... Member of the student government...
Personal: U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete... daughter of Jose and Lia (deceased) Miranda...Sister of Andrea, Michael, and Joe... Hobbies are river rafting, conflict mediation, painting, writing, wrestling and school activities... has been accepted to Yale Law School after the 2004 Olympic Games...
TINA GEORGE
2003-04 Team USA Ranking: No. 1 at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Years on Team USA: 6 (1998-04)
Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club: U.S. Army
Club Coach: Shon Lewis
College: Minnesota-Morris
High School: Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Cleveland Heights)
Born: November 5, 1978 in Erie, Pa.
Height: 5-0
International Competition: Second in 2003 Pan American Championships... Ninth in 2003 Klippan Ladies Open (Sweden)... Participated in 2003 Titan Games... Second in 2003 Dave Schultz Memorial International... 2002 World Silver Medalist... 2001 Pan American Championships champion... 2001 Missouri Valley International Open champion... DNP in 2000 World Championships... Fourth in 2000 Klippan Ladies Open (Sweden)... Fourth in 2000 Dave Schultz Memorial International... Sixth in 1999 World Championships... 1999 Gord Garvie Memorial champion (Canada)... Second in 1998 Sunkist Kids International Open... DNP in 1998 Women’s World Championships... 1998 Bison International Open champion (Canada)...
U.S. Competition: 1998-2003 World Team Trials champion... Second in 1999 and 2003 U.S. Nationals... Four-time University Nationals champion (1998, 2000-02)... 2001 U.S. Nationals champion... Third in 2000 U.S. Nationals... Second in 1998 UM-Morris Open... Fifth in 1998 U.S. Nationals... 1997 UM-Morris Open champion... Second in 1997 Winter Classic... 1997 Keystone Open champion... Seventh in 1997 U.S. Nationals... 1997 Northeast Regional champion...
College: Attended the Univ. of Colorado-Colorado Springs... She is studying chemistry and biology... Attended the Univ. of Minnesota-Morris, where she was a member of women’s wrestling team, coached by Doug Reese...
High School: Attended Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio, where she was coached by Kip Flanik... National achievement semifinalist...
Personal: Parents are Rosie and Gregory George... Her hobbies are reading and track... Member of the U.S, Army World Class Athlete Program... Currently training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo...
Awards: 2002 U.S. Army Female Athlete of the Year... Outstanding Wrestler in 1998, 2000 and 2001 University Women’s Nationals...
SARA McMANN
2003-04 Team USA Ranking: No. 1 at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Years on Team USA: 5 (1999-04)
Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club: Sunkist Kids
Club Coaches: Joe Corso, Tricia Saunders, Joe Seay
College: Lock Haven Univ., Univ. of Minnesota- Morris
High School: Marion, N.C. (McDowell)
Born: Sept. 24, 1980 in Tacoma Park, Md.
Height: 5-6
International Competition: Fourth in 2003 Ivan Yarygin Memorial International... Participated in 2003 Titan Games... 2002-03 Klippan Ladies Open champion (Sweden)... 2000-01, 2003 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion... DNP at 2002 World Championships... 2002 Henri Deglane Challenge champion (France)... Second in 2002 Ivan Yarygin Memorial International (Russia)... 2002 Guelph Invitational champion (Canada)... 1999-2001 Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open champion... DNP in 2001 World Championships... Third in 2001 Pan American Championships... 2001 Missouri Valley International Open champion... 2001 Manitoba Open champion (Canada)... Ninth in 2000 World Championships... Third in 2000 Klippan Ladies Open (Sweden)... Fourth in 2000 Manitoba Open (Canada)... Third in 2000 Guelph Open (Canada)... Third in 1999 Clansman International (Canada)... Third in 1999 Gord Garvie International (Canada)... Second in 1998 Sunkist Kids International Open...
U.S. Competition: 2000-03 World Team Trials champion... Four-time U.S. Nationals champion (2000-03)... 1999, 2000 and 2002 University Nationals champion... 1999 and 2000 FILA Junior Nationals champion... Third in 1999 UM-Morris Open... 1999 Keystone Women’s Open champion... Second in 1999 World Team Trials... Third in 1999 U.S. Nationals... 1999 Northern Plains Regional champion... 1998 UM-Morris Open champion... Fifth at 1998 World Team Trials... Sixth in 1998 U.S. Nationals... Second in 1998 University Nationals... Sixth in 1997 U.S. Nationals...
College: Attended Lock Haven University where she was coached by Carl Poff... Majored in theatre...
High School: Attended McDowell High School in North Carolina where she wrestled under Tim Hutchins... 1998 USGWA High School National champion...
Awards: Outstanding Wrestler at 2003 Klippan Ladies Open... 2001 Dave Schultz Memorial International Outstanding Wrestler... 1999 Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open Outstanding Wrestler...
Personal: U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete... Daughter of Paula and Thomas...Has one sister, Niki, and one brother, Jason...Her hobbies are theatre, surfing and readings...
TOCCARA MONTGOMERY
2003-04 Team USA ranking: No. 1 at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Years on Team USA: 4 (2000-04)
Residence: Cleveland, Ohio
Club: Cumberland College
Club Coach: Kip Flanik
College: Cumberland College
High School: Cleveland, Ohio (East Technical HS)
Born: December 30, 1982
Height: 5-6
International Competition: Third in 2003 Canada Cup... 2002-03 Pan American Championships champion... 2002-03 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion... Third in 2003 FILA Manitoba Open (Canada)... 2003 Gilbert Schaub Open champion (France)... 2002 NYAC Christmas Championships champion... Competed in 2002 Kurt Angle Classic... Tenth in 2002 World Championships... 2000-02 Sunkist Kids International Open champion... 2002 Missouri Valley International Open champion... 2002 Guelph Invitational champion (Canada)... 2001 World Silver Medalist... 2001 Yasar Dogu Tournament champion (Turkey)... 2001 Manitoba Open champion (Canada)... Second in the 2000 and 2001 Junior World Championships... Third in 2000 Dave Schultz Memorial International...
U.S. Competition: 2001-03 World Team Trials champion... 2001-03 U.S. Nationals champion... Second in 2003 Can Am Freestyle... 2002 Minnesota-Morris Women’s Open champion... 2001 Hoover/Geller Women’s Open champion... 2000-02 FILA Junior Nationals champion... 2001 and 2003 University Nationals champion... Second in 2000 Keystone Open... Third in 2000 World Team Trials... Fourth in 2000 U.S. Nationals... Second in 2000 University Nationals... Fourth in 1999 Keystone Open...
College: Attends Cumberland College in Kentucky, where she is coached by Kip Flanik... Majoring in Education...
High School: Coached by Kip Flanik at East Technical High School... 2001 USGWA High School Nationals champion... Second in 1999 and 2000 USGWA High School Nationals...
Awards: Outstanding Wrestler at the 2002 Dave Schultz Memorial International... 2001 FILA International Women’s Wrestler of the Year... 2001 U.S. Olympic Committee Women’s Wrestler of the Year... Finalist for the 2001 James E. Sullivan Award... 2001 USA Wrestling Women’s Wrestler of the Year... Outstanding Wrestler at 2001 U.S. Nationals... 2001 USA Wrestling Women’s Age-Group Championship Belt Series winner... 2001 TheMat.com/ASICS Girls High School Wrestler of the Year... Finalist for the 2001 Women’s Sports Foundation Athlete of the Year... Outstanding Wrestling at 1999 FILA Junior Nationals...
Personal: Daughter of Paul and Tara Montgomery...
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7/23/2003
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
The sites and dates for the women's freestyle Special Wrestle-offs have been determined. All three best-of-three series will take place at Doherty High School located at 4515 Barnes Rd. in Colorado Springs, Colo. on July 29, 2003. The first set of matches will take place at 10:00 a.m. (Mountain Time). The second series of matches will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the third matches, if necessary, will take place 30 minutes following the conclusion of the second match.
The winners of the Special Wrestle-Offs will represent the United States at the 2003 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling in New York City, September 12-14.
The champions of the Women’s World Team Trials in all three non-Olympic weight classes will be challenged for their spot on the 2003 U.S. Women’s World Team.
At the World Team Trials in Indianapolis, Ind., June 20-22, the winners in the four women’s Olympic weight classes (48 kg/105.5 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 63 kg/138.75 lbs., 72 kg/158.5) qualified for both the World Championships team and the Pan American Games team. There are only four women’s weight classes at the Pan American Games, the four Olympic divisions.
At the other three non-Olympic weight classes (51 kg/112.25 lbs., 59kg/130 lbs., 67 kg/147.5 lbs.), the World Team Trials champions are subject to a Special Wrestle-off for the U.S. World Team from a medalist at an Olympic weight class, based upon USA Wrestling rules.
Four medalists from the Olympic divisions have notified USA Wrestling that they will challenge for a spot on the U.S. team, opening challenges at all three non-Olympic weights.
At 51 kg/112.25 pounds, World Team Trials champion Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) will face one challenger, Clarrisa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC). Chun placed second at the World Team Trials at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., and will move up in weight for the Special Wrestle-off.
At 59 kg/130 lbs., World Team Trials champion Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) will have two challengers in her division: Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) and Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids). Roberts placed third at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. at the World Team Trials and will drop down in weight for the Special Wrestle-off. She was also the U.S. Nationals champion at 59 kg/130 lbs. before moving up in weight for the U.S. World Team Trials. Van Dusen was third at 55 kg/121 lbs. at the World Team Trials and will move up in weight for the Special Wrestle-off.
Roberts and Van Dusen will wrestle-off on July 28 in the United States Olympic Training Center wrestling room.
At 67 kg/147.5 lbs., World Team Trials champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) will face Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC). Marano placed second at the World Team Trials at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and will move up in weight for the Special Wrestle-off. Last year, Marano defeated Downing two matches to none in a Special Wrestle-Off for the U.S. Women's World Team spot.
The format will include a Challenge Tournament on the first day, with all of the Olympic weight medalists wrestling off to determine one challenger (this will occur at 59 kg and 67 kg). On the next day, there will be a best-of-three series between the World Team Trials champion and the Challenge Tournament winner.
This system of Special Wrestle-off opportunities within women’s wrestling was started last year. There were Special Wrestle-offs in two weight classes in 2002, and in both cases, the top challenger defeated the World Team Trials champion to earn a spot on the U.S. World team. At 51 kg/112.25 lbs., challenger Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) defeated World Team Trials champion Wong for the team spot. At 67 kg/147.5 lbs., challenger Marano defeated World Team Trials champion Downing for the team spot. Marano went on to win a bronze medal at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. at the 2002 World Championships.
The outcome of the Special Wrestle-off does not change the Team USA rankings as determined at the World Team Trials, nor the national team support funding that was earned through the placements at the World Team Trials. This Special Wrestle-off only determines the U.S. team members for the 2003 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling.
SPECIAL WRESTLE-OFFS FOR U.S WOMEN’S WORLD TEAM
at Doherty High School, Colorado Springs, Colo.
July 28-29, 2003
51 kg/112.25 lbs.
World Team Trials champion Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Challenger - Clarrisa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC)
59 kg/130 lbs.
World Team Trials champion Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Challengers - Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
67 kg/147.5 lbs.
World Team Trials champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
Challengers - Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC)
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2003 World Team Trials: Day1 Afternoon Session, Women's Freestyle Gallery