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Update: Sherwood, Macari, Smith win Pan American Women's gold medals

SHERWOOD, MACARI, SMITH WIN PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN’S GOLD MEDALS, LEADING THE USA TO THE TEAM TITLE IN CALI, COLOMBIA,

MAY 24

Three U.S. wrestlers claimed gold medals, leading the United States to the team title at the Pan American Women’s Wrestling Championships in Cali, Colombia, May 24.

The U.S. individual champions were Malissa Sherwood (Rocklin, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 123.25 pounds, Melanie Macari (Fremont, Calif./Viking WC) at 149.75 pounds and Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 165.25 pounds.

Sherwood won three matches in the tournament, including a forfeit victory over Mabel Fonseca of Puerto Rico in the semifinals. Sherwood lost a one-point match to Fonseca in the finals of the 2000 U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.

“I’m disappointed I didn’t get a chance to avenge my loss at the Nationals,” said Sherwood. “I was ready for her this time.”

Macari won three matches, all by pin, in the round-robin format. Macari attends Missouri Valley College, one of the three women’s varsity college programs in the United States.

“I needed to know that I could come here and wrestle with these girls, and I did it in my first international tournament,” said Macari. “It was great for my confidence.”

Smith won two matches on Tuesday to clinch the gold-medal.

“I came in here and didn’t feel any stress,” said Smith. “I am excited to wrestle here.”

Claiming silver medals for the USA were Sara McMann (Lock Haven, Pa./Sunkist Kids) at 136.5 pounds and Clarrisa Chun (Kapolei, Hawaii/Viking WC) at 101.25 pounds.

McMann was defeated by Unise Hurtado of Venezuela, 6-3 in the finals. Chun had a 2-2 record in the tournament, but claimed the silver based upon classification points in the round-robin format.

Winning a bronze medal for the United States was Jenny Wong (Stillwater, Minn./Sunkist Kids) at 112.25 pounds, who had a 2-2 record in the round-robin format.

The United States won the team title. followed by Venezuela and Mexico.

“I’m very proud of these women,” said U.S. head coach Jack Griffin of Evanston, Ill. “This bodes well for the future of USA Wrestling. We had a very good young team here.”

The Pan American Championships features the best wrestlers in North, Central and South America. The United States is the reigning World Team champion in women’s wrestling.

PAN AMERICAN WOMEN’S WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS at Cali, Colombia, May 23-24

Medalists

46 kg/101.25 lbs. - Gold - Maria Barazza (Mexico); Silver - Clarissa Chun (USA); Bronze - Ingrid Medrano (El Salvador)

51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Gold - Marcia Andrade (Venezuela); Silver - Magdelena Orellano (Mexcio); Bronze - Jenny Wong (USA)

56 kg/123.75 lbs. - Gold - Malissa Sherwood (USA); Silver - Mabel Fonseca (Puerto Rico); Bronze - Yulianny Orellano (Venezuela)

62 kg/136.5 lbs. - Gold - Unise Hurtado (Venezuela); Silver - Sara McMann (USA); Bronze - Jackelin Reynoso (Mexico)

68 kg/149.75 lbs. - Gold - Melanie Macari (USA); Silver - Xiomera Guevara (Venezuela); Bronze - Daniela Leanos (Mexico)

75 kg/165.25 lbs. - Gold - Iris Smith (USA); Silver - Ana Hernandez (Venezuela); Bronze - Mayerly Ruiz (Colombia)

U.S. women’s team matches

46 kg/101.25 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Kapolei, Hawaii, 2nd- pin Ingrid Medrono (El Salvador), 0:14; pin Nidia Banol (Colombia), 1:42; lost dec. to Mayerlis Carapa (Venezuela), 14-3; lost dec. to Maria Barza (Mexico), 9-8

51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Stillwater, Minn., 3rd - won by tech. fall over Yensi Serrano (El Salvador), 10-0; won by tech. fall over Rita Mateus (Colombia), 11-0; lost dec. to Marcia Andrade (Venezuela), 10-0; lost pin to Magdelena Orellano (Mexico), 2:20

56 kg/123.75 lbs. - Malissa Sherwood, Rocklin, Calif., 1st - pin Saira Martinez (El Salvador), 1:03; pin Luiz Castillo (Mexico), 0:40; won by injury forfeit over Mabel Fonseca (Puerto Rico)

62 kg/136.5 lbs. - Sara McMann, Lock Haven, Pa., 2nd - won by tech. fall over Jacqueline Reinoso (Mexico), 12-1; dec. Amanda Patino (Colombia), 11-0; lost dec. to Unise Hurtado (Venezuela), 6-3

68 kg/149.75 lbs. - Melanie Macari, Fremont, Calif., 1st - pin Carmen Narvaez (Colombia), 0:10; pin Xiomera Guerara (Venezuela), 2:52; pin Daniela Lenos (Mexico), 0:50

75 kg/165.25 lbs. - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo., 1st - pin Mayerly Ruiz (Colombia), 0:47; dec. Ana Henendez (Venezuela)

Teams - 1. United States, 56 pts.; 2. Venezuela, 53 pts.; 3. Mexico, 40 pts.; 4. Colombia, 34 pts.; 5. El Salvador, 21 pts.; 6. Puerto Rico, 9 pts.

Women’s wrestling is not yet an Olympic sport, so the tournament has no Olympic bearing. However, the top women’s wrestlers in the hemisphere will compete for coveted Pan American titles. The United States is the reigning World Team champion in women’s wrestling.

 

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Women's World Team Trials to be held in Battle Creek, Mich., June 1-4

Three U.S. Women’s World Team Trials events to be held at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Mich., June 1-4

For the second straight year, USA Wrestling is hosting all three of its Women’s World Team Trials events at the same location. The Senior World Team Trials, the FILA Junior Nationals/World Team Trials and the FILA Cadet Nationals/World Team Trials will be held side-by-side at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Mich., June 1-4

These events will allow talented athletes of many ages to compete together. The World Teams on the FILA Junior and Senior levels will be determined.

The top eight place winners at each weight class from the 2000 U.S. Women’s Senior Nationals in Las Vegas qualified for the Senior World Team Trials, plus qualified petitions. The champions in the senior division qualify for the 13th Women’s World Championships to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, Sept. 1-3.

For the women’s senior division, only wrestlers born 1983 and before are eligible. Women born between 1981-83 are eligible with a medical certificate.

All of last year’s champions are eligible to compete: Tricia Saunders (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 101.25 pounds, Stephanie Murata(Williamsburg, Ky./Sunkist Kids) at 112.25 pounds, Tina George-Wilson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 123.25 pounds, Lauren Lamb (Troy, N.Y./Michigan WC) at 136.5 pounds, Sandra Bacher (San Jose, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 149.75 pounds and Kristie Marano (Albany, N.Y./ATWA) at 165.25 pounds.

Three women in the top spot in the senior division have asked for delays for their finals series due to injury: Saunders, Murata and Malissa Sherwood (Rocklin, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 123.25 pounds. They will face the winner of the World Team Trials on a best-of-three series at a date and location to be determined.

The 2000 U.S. National champion at 123.25 pounds, Mabel Fonseca, will not be able to compete since she represented Puerto Rico at the 2000 Pan American Championships in May.

Three other wrestlers have petitioned into the competition: Lamb, Megan Andrews (Napa, Calif./Cowboy WC) at 136.5 pounds and Katie Downing (Pendleton, Ind./UM-Morris) at 149.75 pounds.

The FILA Junior age level this year will include athletes from 17-20 years old. Only wrestlers born between 1980-83 are eligible. Athletes born in 1983 are eligible with a medical certificate. Many of the best wrestlers in the nation on the Senior level can still compete at this level, as well as a number of age group stars. Winners at the FILA Junior Nationals/World Team Trials will be eligible to represent the U.S. at the Women’s Junior World Championships in Nantes, France, July 3-9.

The FILA Cadet age level has been changed to include athletes 15-17 years old. Wrestlers born between 1983 and 1985 are eligible. Athletes born in 1985 are eligible with a medical certificate.

These women’s events will be held alongside the 2000 Central Kids/Cadet Regional Championships for boys, also at Kellogg Arena, June 1-4.

For more information, contact Heather Folks of USA Wrestling at 719-598-8181.

QUALIFIERS FOR 2000 SENIOR WOMEN’S WORLD TEAM TRIALS

Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek, Mich., June 1-4

(with 2000 U.S. Nationals place finishes listed)

101.25 lbs./46 kg

2000 U.S. Nationals runner-up - * Clarissa Chun, Kapolei, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)

Mini-Tournament qualifiers - 3. Julie Gonzales, Vallejo, Calif. (Peninsula Grapplers); 4. Angela Hesener, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Dave Schultz WC); 5. Crystal Brown, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids); 6. Lindsay Torrance, Grass Valley, Calif. (unattached); 7./8. - Candice Takamatsu, Waipahu, Hawaii, (Marauder WC)/Laura Yoshida, Ewa Beach, Hawaii (Tiger West WC)

112.25 lbs./51 kg

2000 U.S. Nationals runner-up - *Patricia Miranda, Stanford, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC)

Mini-Tournament qualifiers - 3. Jenny Wong, Minneapolis, Minn. (Sunkist Kids); 4. Melina Hutchinson, Soldotna, Alaska (Unattached); 5. Olivia Ocampo, Oxnard, Calif. (UM-Morris); 6. Amy Alvaro, Marshall, Mo. (Viking WC); 7./8. - Jessi Shirley, Galion, Ohio (Unattached)/Michelle Domagas, Vallejo, Calif. (Peninsula Grapplers)

123.25 lbs./56 kg

2000 U.S. Nationals 3rd-place finisher - *Tina George-Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Mini-Tournament qualifiers - 4. Erin Tomeo, Volant, Pa. (TAPS); 5. Carrie Birge, Aurora, Colo. (Viking WC); 6. Karina Chin, San Francisco, Calif. (Peninsula Grapplers); 7./8. - Tela O’Donnell, Homer, Alaska (Alaska WC)/Grace Magnussen, Marshall, Mo. (Viking WC)

136.5 lbs./62 kg

2000 U.S. Nationals champion - Sara McMann, Lock Haven, Pa. (Sunkist Kids)

Mini-Tournament qualifiers - 2. Tonya Evinger, Bates City, Mo. (Wrestling Central); 3. Tina Arnds, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Viking WC); 4. Sally Roberts, Federal Way, Wash. (UM-Morris); 5. Lauwa'e Smith, Marshall, Mo. (Viking WC); 6. Jimi Dawn Hornbuckle, Poteau, Okla. (Dave Schultz WC); 7./8. - Joy Warren, Williamsburg, Ky. (Cumberland College)/Lisa Bisers, Allison Park, Pa. (TAPS)

Petitions: Lauren Lamb, Troy, N.Y. (Michigan WC) and Megan Andrews, Napa, Calif. (Cowboy WC)

149.75 lbs./68 kg

2000 U.S. Nationals champion - Sandy Bacher, San Jose, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC)

Mini-Tournament qualifiers - 2. Kristie Marano, Albany, N.Y. (ATWA); 3. Melanie Macari, Fremont, Calif. (Viking WC); 4. Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (Viking WC); 5. Tori Adams, Amarillo, Texas (Unattached); 6. Teri Kleinberg, Rancho Palo Vedes, Calif. (Unattached); 7./8. - Chandell Knox, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)/Elena Mena, St. Paul, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Petition: Katie Downing, Pendleton, Ind. (UM-Morris)

165.25 lbs./75 kg

2000 U.S. Nationals champion - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Unattached)

Mini-Tournament qualifiers - 2. Dominique Smalley, Colorado Springs, Colo. (TNT); 3. Alicia Mena, St. Paul, Minn. (Minnesota Storm); 4. Donell Bradley, Aiei, Hawaii (Viking WC); 5. Samantha Branka, Lincoln Park, Mich., (UM-Morris); 6. Sara Torbert, San Diego, Calif. (SOPAC Navy); 7./8. - Ann Gerlach, Andover, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)/Linda Day, Lake Side, Calif. (SOPAC Navy)

*The top seed at this weight class has asked for a delay due to injury and will wrestle for the spot on the U.S. World team at a later date.

101.25 lbs./46 kg - U.S. National Champion Tricia Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)

112.25 lbs./51 kg - U.S. National Champion Stephanie Murata, Williamsburg, Ky. (Sunkist Kids)

123.25 lbs./56 kg - U.S. Nationals runner-up Malissa Sherwood, Rocklin, Calif. (Dave Schultz WC)

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Sue Siar named 1999 USA Wrestling Woman of the Year

Sue Siar of Glenshaw, Pa. has been named the 1999 Woman of the Year by USA Wrestling. This award recognizes an outstanding woman for her contributions to the sport of wrestling.

Sue is a FILA Pairing Master and a Category 1 Exceptionnelle Pairing Official in the United States.

She has worked many of the most important events in the world. She was the Chief Pairer at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., and also a pairing official at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984, the 1990 Greco-Roman World Championships in Rome, Italy and the 1995 Freestyle World Championships in Atlanta, Ga. Other top assignments have included the World Military Wrestling Championships, the Freestyle and Greco-Roman World Cups, the Five Continents Cup, the Junior World Championships and many, many others.

She will serve as the Chief Pairing Official for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. She has been instrumental in developing a pairing staff in Australia and New Zealand, which now has 20 FILA Pairing Masters, second in number only to the United States.

Sue is involved in tournament operations year round working at high school and collegiate tournaments, and state, regional, national and international tournaments.

She is a member of the USWOA Executive Board and has been the National Pairing Director for nine years. She wrote a clinic manual for pairers in the United States, and was instrumental in organizing and writing the first “Policies and Procedures Manual” for USWOA pairing officials.

She received a Lifetime Service Award for officiating from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Sue received the first ever Bernie Norris Award for pairing excellence in 1998. She also was the co-winner of the 1999 USA Wrestling Junior Division Leader of the Year award, sharing the honor with her husband Bob, who is also a leading official and former wrestling coach.

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Tricia Saunders named 1999 USA Wrestling Women’s Wrestler of the Year

Tricia Saunders (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) has been named the 1999 Women’s Wrestler of the Year by USA Wrestling. It is the third time that Saunders has received this prestigious award (1993, 1996, 1999).

Saunders was the 1999 World Champion at 101.25 pounds, her fourth career World Championships gold medal. Her performance helped lead the United States to its first-ever Women’s World Team title.

It was her fifth career World Championships medal, setting the U.S. record for most World medals. She defeated five-time World Champion Xiue Zhong of China in the finals, 4-2, in overtime. Saunders won four matches on the way to the title.

Saunders ended the 1999 season with an undefeated record. She was also the 1999 Women’s World Team Trials champion, qualifying for her ninth U.S. World team. Saunders also claimed the 1999 U.S. Nationals title, her ninth career nationals title, also a U.S. record. She has never lost to a U.S. wrestler during her decade-long career on the Senior level.

Saunders received the 1997 USA Wrestling Woman of the Year award, the first winner of this prestigious honor. This award recognizes an outstanding woman for her contributions to the sport of wrestling. Saunders is considered one of the pioneers in the development of women’s wrestling, which is one of the fastest growing sports for young women in the nation. She has been an active leader on USA Wrestling’s Board of Directors.

Saunders attended the Univ. of Wisconsin. She is married to 1996 Olympic silver medalist Townsend Saunders, and they have two children. A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., she comes from an active wrestling family and was very successful youth wrestler, competing against boys. She did not wrestle in high school or college, participating in other sports, but returned to wrestling as an adult after moving to the Phoenix area.

PAST WOMEN'S WRESTLER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

1999 - Tricia Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids

1998 - Kristie Stenglein, Albany, N.Y., ATWA

1997 - Sandra Bacher, San Jose, Calif., Dave Schultz WC

1996 - Tricia Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids

1995 - Vickie Zummo, Hamburg, N.J., New York AC

1994 - Shannon Williams, Ontario, Calif., Sunkist Kids

1993 - Tricia Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids