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Saunders vs. Chun Wrestle-off for Women's Team set for 7/16 in Las Vegas

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by Gary Abbott

SPECIAL WRESTLE-OFF FOR U.S. WOMEN'S WORLD TEAM BETWEEN TRICIA SAUNDERS AND CLARISSA CHUN SET FOR JULY 16 IN LAS VEGAS, NEV.

The Special Wrestle-off for a position on the U.S. Women's World Team at 46 kg (101.25 pounds) between Tricia Saunders (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) and Clarissa Chun (Kapolei, Hawaii/Viking WC) has been scheduled for Sunday, July 16 at Silverado High School in Las Vegas, Nev.

It will be a best two-out-of-three series, with the winner qualifying to compete in the 2000 Women's World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, Sept. 1-3. The first session will be at 10:00 a.m., and the second session is set for 1:00 p.m. If a third match is required, it will be conducted during the second session, after the athletes have received a one-hour rest period.

Saunders, the 2000 U.S. Nationals freestyle champion at 101.25 pounds, received an extension on her championship series for a position on the World Team due to injury. Only the 2000 U.S. Nationals champion has the right to request an extension in the championships series to a later site and date because of injury.

Chun earned the right to challenge Saunders by winning the 101.25-pound tournament at the Women's World Team Trials in Battle Creek, Mich., June 3-4. She defeated Julie Gonzales (Vallejo, Calif./Napa Valley WC) on June 4 to qualify for the Special Wrestle-off.

Saunders is a four-time Women's World Champion with titles in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 1999. She was also a World silver medalist in 1993. She is a 10-time U.S. Nationals champion, and has never lost to a U.S. opponent on the Senior level. Saunders attended the Univ. of Wisconsin and is originally from Ann Arbor, Mich.

Chun lost to Saunders in the finals of the 2000 U.S. Nationals, and was third in the 2000 University Nationals. She won a gold medal at the 2000 Dave Schultz Memorial International Championships. Chun competes for Missouri Valley College, one of the three U.S. women's college varsity wrestling programs.

The date and location for the three other extended championship series for the 2000 U.S. Women's World Team have not yet been determined. Positions at 51 kg (112.25 lbs.), 56 kg (123.25 lbs.) and 69 kg (149.75 lbs.) will also be determined in Special Wrestle-offs this summer. Information will be posted when available.


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