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Wrestling not just for boys anymore

Behind the Brown (UPS) 7/30/03

Woodward Center Mechanic Jerry Miller's daughter, Joey, is gaining notoriety for her wrestling skills. Her website, www.wrestlegirl.com, contains her wrestling history and accounts of her matches. Since wrestling is primarily a male dominated sport, Joey has to wrestle boys and usually beats' them.

Joey has competed in several national championships and is considered one of the top wrestlers in her weight division of both males and females, at 90 pounds.Because of her wrestling talent, she was invited to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to attend a wrestling camp this summer.Also, Joey made the Oklahoma Cadet team and will be wrestling in Fargo, ND, this July.
The national news show "Inside Edition" is featuring Joey in a segment scheduled to air sometime in September. They will be following her at the tournament in Fargo

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Wong, Roberts, Marano win Women’s Special Wrestle-off to qualify for World Championships in New York City

7/29/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling

Three wrestlers swept their best-of-three series to claim the Women‘s Special Wrestle-off at their weight class, and qualify for the U.S. team at the World Championships.

Winning their series in two straight matches were Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.

The Special Wrestle-offs were held at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., Tuesday, July 29.

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.

Wong, the World Team Trials champion, defeated challenger Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) in two straight matches. She won the first match 7-6 in overtime. She captured the second match, 9-0.

In the first match, Wong jumped to an early 6-0 lead on two takedowns and two turns. Chun hit a three-point arm throw at the end of the first period to close the margin to 6-3. In the second period, Chun scored another three-point arm throw to tie the bout at 6-6, which was the score at the end of regulation. In overtime, Chun attempted another arm throw, which Wong countered and then got behind for the winning takedown after 47 seconds.

In the second match, Wong again jumped to a 6-0 lead, which was the score at the mid break. However, in the second period, Wong kept up the pressure and did not allow Chun to score, and added three points in the final 20 seconds to make it a 9-0 final score.

Chun had placed third at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and moved up in weight for the challenge.

“I just lost my focus in the first match and walked into her too much,” said Wong. “My corner coaches and friends helped me during the break between the matches. They helped me straighten out my problems technically and to re-focus after a not very good first match.”

“I knew I was bigger (than Chun), but she has good shots and is very quick. I also knew she had a low stance, so I had to prepare for that,” Wong said.

Wong will be competing in her first World Championships. She won the World Team Trials in 2002 as well, but was defeated in a Special Wrestle-off by Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) for the World team position.

Wong is originally from Woodbury, Minn. She competed at Lock Haven Univ. before coming to Colorado Springs to join the USOTC resident program.

Roberts, the challenger in match, defeated World Team Trials champion Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 8-3 and by injury default.

Tomeo was unable to wrestle in the second match, after suffering a concussion during the morning session.

In the first match, Roberts got an early lead, but Tomeo kept the match close. With Roberts leading 4-3 in the final 10 seconds, Roberts put the match away with a hip toss throw.

Roberts placed third at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. at the World Team Trials and dropped weight to challenge Tomeo. Roberts had to beat Marcie Van Dusen in a challenge match, 6-3, on Monday to earn the chance to face Tomeo today.

Roberts will also be competing in her first World Championships.

“I didn’t know (about the injury default) until they came up and told me before the match,” said Roberts. “I am still in a little shock that she had to forfeit. My first match was great. I kept good head position and defended her shots well. I was smart and confident. I wasn’t nervous. I wrestled exactly how I needed to.”

Roberts is originally from Federal Way, Wash. She attended Pacific Univ. and the Univ. of Minnesota-Morris before becoming a USOTC resident athlete.

Marano, the challenger at her division, defeated World Team Trials champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), in two straight matches, 4-0 and 5-3.

In the first match, Marano scored a throw off the clinch position then held her opponent on her back for almost three minutes. The first period ended scoreless, and the athletes were placed in the clinch. Marano took Downing to her back quickly with a three-point bodylock, received an additional back point, then held her on her back until the period ended.

In the second match, Marano held a 3-1 lead after the first period. The athletes each scored two points during an active exchange from their feet during the second period, making the final score 5-3.

Marano placed second at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. at the World Team Trials, and moved up in weight to challenge Downing.

Last year, Marano won a Special Wrestle-off at this weight class against Downing, and went on to win a bronze medal at the 2002 World Championships.

This will be the seventh World Championships that Marano will attend. She has won six World medals during her career, the most of any U.S. women’s wrestler. Marano was a World Champion in 2000.

“I wrestled pretty good,” said Marano. “I have been trying to figure out what my style is. It has been difficult for me, but I’m getting closer to it. I am not allowing myself to make so many mistakes in matches. I am concentrating on good position.”

Marano is originally from Albany, N.Y. By winning the Special Wrestle-off, she will have a chance to compete in her home state at the World Championships.

“I am really, really excited,” said Marano. “I am bummed I didn’t make the team at an Olympic weight, though. My home is between an hour and a half and two hours from the World Championships, and I will have a lot of people there watching me.”

Medalists at the Olympic weight classes have a right to challenge for the U.S. World Team spot in a Special Wrestle-off at the three non-Olympic weights. This year, there was a Special Wrestle-off at all three non-Olympic weights.

The outcome of this Special Wrestle-off did 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 Colorado Springs, Colo., July 29, 2003

51 kg/112.25 lbs.
Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Clarrisa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 7-6, ot, 6:47 and 9-0
Wong wins series, two matches to none

59 kg/130 lbs.
Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) dec. Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 8-3 and by injury default in 0:00
Roberts wins series, two matches to none.

67 kg/147.5 lbs.
Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec. Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 4-0 and 5-3.
Marano wins series, two matches to none

Winners qualify for the U.S. team that will compete at the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling in New York City, Sept. 12-14.

MATCH SUMMARIES

51 kg/112.25 lbs.
MATCH ONE
Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Clarrisa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 7-6, ot, 6:47

1st period
Wong, 1 pt. Spin behind takedown, 2:39 left, 1-0 Wong
Wong, 2 pt. Gut wrench, 2:31, 3-0 Wong
Wong, 1 pt. Takedown, 1:39, 4-0 Wong
Wong, 2 pt. Tilt exposure, 1:20, 6-0 Wong
Chun, 3 pt. Arm throw, 1:01, 6-3 Wong

2nd period
Chun, 3 pt. Arm throw, 2:15 left, 6-6 tie

Overtime
Wong, counter spin behind takedown, 2:13 left in overtime, 7-6 Wong

MATCH TWO
Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Clarrisa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 9-0

1st period
Wong, 1 pt. counter takedown, 2:42 left, 1-0 Wong
Wong, 1 pt. counter takedown, 1:38, 2-0 Wong
Wong, 2 pt. gut wrench, 1:25, 4-0 Wong
Wong, 2 pt leg turn, 1:04, 6-0 Wong

2nd period
Passivity against Wong, 1:39
Wong, 1 pt. spin behind takedown, 0:20, 7-0 Wong
Wong, 2 pt. gut wrench, 0:12, 9-0 Wong

59 kg/130 lbs.
MATCH ONE
Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) dec. Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 8-3

1st period
Roberts, 2 pt. Crotch lift, 1:59 left, 2-0 Roberts
Tomeo, 1 pt. Takedown, 1:52, 2-1 Roberts

2nd period
Roberts, 2 pts. and Tomeo 2 pts., on scramble position, 0:57 left, 4-3 Roberts
Roberts, 3 pt. Hiptoss and 1 pt. Extra backpoint, 0:06 left, 8-3 Roberts

MATCH TWO
Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) won by inj. dft. over Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 0:00
Tomeo was unable to compete due to injury

67 kg/147.5 lbs.
MATCH ONE
Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec. Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 4-0

1st period
Passivity, Downing, 1:45 left
Passivity, Downing, 0:32 left

2nd period.
Clinch.
Marano, 3 pt. bodylock and 1 pt. extra backpoint, 2:53 left, 4-0 Marano

MATCH TWO
Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec. Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 5-3

1ST period
Downing, 1 pt. takedown, 2:40 left, 1-0 Downing
Marano, 1 pt. takedown and 2 pt. gutwrench, 1:50, 3-1 Marano

2nd period
Marano, 2 pt. counter and Downing, 2 pt. takedown, 1:06 left, 5-3 Marano

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Minn.-Morris eliminates wrestling, adds women's swimming

Associated Press 7/29/03

MORRIS, Minn. - Citing state budget cuts, the University of Minnesota-Morris has decided to eliminate both men's and women's wrestling starting with the 2004-2005 school year, but plans to add women's swimming.

"While it is regrettable, this decision addresses the need to reduce expenditures while strengthening our core," said Sandra Olson-Loy, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, in a written statement.

Morris has been examining its athletic programs as it prepares to move this fall to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Olson-Loy Morris said the school needs to sponsor sports with high student interest that advance the school's liberal arts mission.

The school says fewer colleges are sponsoring men's wrestling, and the growth predicted in women's intercollegiate wrestling in the early 1990s did not materialize.

The wrestling programs will continue for the coming year. Women's swimming will begin in 2004-2005.

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Cougar to wrestle in Istanbul, Turkey

morrissuntribune.com 7/29/03

UMM junior Liz Short will be representing the U.S. in the FILA-Junior Women's World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

Liz Short placed second in the FILA-Junior National Wrestling Championships this past April in St. Joseph, MN, at 97 pounds, earning All-American honors.

During the competition, Short defeated the eventual champion, Erica Dye 4-3 in overtime, but because of the pool system, Short earned one less point than Dye, and Dye earned the berth on the World Team. Short was named the alternate to the world championships at 97 pounds.

In mid-July, UMM coach Doug Reese learned from USA Wrestling that Dye had pulled out of the World Championships, and the spot was offered up to Short.

"I am excited that Liz got this fantastic opportunity," said Reese. "She has worked hard all season and has turned things around both technically and mentally since early January. She will be an outstanding representative of UMM and the U.S."

Only wrestlers born 1982-1984 are eligible to compete in the FILA-Junior World Championships. Short will be the seventh UMM wrestler to compete at this age group level in the world championships.

Cougar wrestlers have brought home world medals in past events; Katie Downing won a silver medal at 149 pounds in the 1999 FILA-Junior World Championships in Bucharest, Romania; and Samantha Branka won a silver medal in the 2002 University World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, at 165 pounds.

Tina George won a silver medal at 121 pounds in the 2002 Senior World Championships in Athens, Greece.

Short will be wrestling in her second world championship. Last year Short placed 8th in the University World Championships in Edmonton at 44 kilos/97 pounds. Short has been an All-American in her first two seasons at UMM, and has placed high in both domestic and international competition.

Short is an Elementary Education major from Lombard, IL.