Eight U.S. women wrestlers unbeaten after first day at Klippan Open in Sweden

Eight U.S. wrestlers were undefeated after the first day of action at the Klippan Ladies Open in Klippan, Sweden, Saturday, March 8. The wrestlers without a loss included: Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 55 kg/121 lbs. Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) at 55 kg/121 lbs. Lauren Lamb (Troy, N.Y./Michigan WC) at 59 kg/129 lbs. Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.5 lbs. Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Miranda went 2-0 for the day. She will face two-time World medalist Carol Huyhn of Canada in the quarterfinals. Miranda beat Huyhn earlier this season at the Kurt Angle Classic. Chun also went 2-0 at that weight class, defeating a German opponent as well as American Gina Heinzelmann. George and O'Donnell both advanced with 2-0 records at the same weight class. O'Donnell will face an athlete from Austria in the quarterfinals. Also 2-0 for the day was Lauren Lamb a weight class higher at 59 kg. McMann's 2-0 record featured wins over talented athletes from Sweden and Japan. She defeated Japan's 2002 World Champion Icho by a 6-3 margin. This was revenge for McMann, as Icho pinned her in the pool competition at the 2002 World Championships. Downing had a 3-0 record for the day, and advanced to the semifinals. Among the athletes she defeated were from Japan and Russia. Lyle was 1-0 with a win over an athlete from the Czech Republic. She still has another match in her pool competition, so she has not yet advanced into the championship bracket. A number of young U.S. athletes participated in the Cadet division of the Klippan Cup. Claiming a gold medal was Ali Bernard of Minnesota. Placing fourth was Minnesota's Kelli Rasmussen. KLIPPAN CUP at Klippan, Sweden, March 8 U.S. athlete first day records 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) - 2-0 record 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) - 2-0 record 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Gina Heinzelmann (St. Joseph, Minn./Minnesota Storm) - 1-1 record 51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) 1-1 record 51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Katie Kunimoto (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) - 0-2 record 55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) - 2-0 record 55 kg/121 lbs. - Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - 2-0 record 55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) 1-1 record 59 kg/129 lbs. - Lauren Lamb (Troy, N.Y./Michigan WC) - 2-0 record 63 kg/138.5 lbs. - Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) - 2-0 record 63 kg/138.5 lbs. - Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) - 1-1 record 67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) - 3-0 record 67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Randi Miller (Chanute, Kan./Dave Schultz WC) 1-3 record 67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Elena Mena (Chanute, Kan./Dave Schultz WC) - 0-2 record 72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) - 1-0 record 72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) 0-1 record