Moore, Lightner, Schwab and Branka win Manitoba Open titles

Four U.S. wrestlers claimed gold medals at the 2002 Manitoba Open, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 2. Claiming men's freestyle gold medals were Teague Moore (Pittsburgh, Pa./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Michael Lightner (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Doug Schwab (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Claiming a women's freestyle gold medal was Samantha Branka (Lincoln Park, Mich./UM-Morris) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. The United States, which included athletes from a number of U.S. clubs, placed second in the team standings in both men's freestyle and women's freestyle. Canada won the team title in both styles. Orville Palmer (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids), a U.S. resident who is a citizen of Jamaica, claimed a gold medal at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Winning U.S. silver medals were 1999 World Champion Sammie Henson (State College, Pa./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Danny Felix (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs.) in the men's tournament, plus Katie Downing (Pendleton, Ind./UM-Morris) at 67 kg/158.5 lbs. and Alicia Wilson (Santee, Calif./UM-Morris) in the women's tournament. Winning a bronze medals in the women's event was Jenny Wong (Stillwater, Minn./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112 lbs.)