U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW – WOMEN’S FREESTYLE – Olympians Chun and Miranda among top women stars
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by Megan Myers
In 2008, FILA hosted its first Women's World Championships held during the same year as the Olympic Games, and Clarissa Chun won the World gold medal at 105.5 pounds. She became only the fifth American woman to win a World title. Chun was also fifth at the 2008 Olympic Games at her weight class.
Chun is one of the top stars expected to compete at the 2009 ASICS U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 9.
Another past Olympic star, 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda, is continuing her career at 112.5 pounds.
The 2008 U.S. World Team featured six athletes competing at their first World-level event. These young stars are expected to make news at the U.S. Nationals this year.
The top seven competitors in each weight class qualify for the World Team Trials, presented by the U.S. Marines, which will be held in Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31.
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Clarissa Chun comes off her most successful season, winning the World title and taking fifth at the Olympics. She won her only U.S. Nationals title in 2006, and seeks to return to the champion podium. Chun spent some time working as a teacher in Japan earlier this season, but returned to the mats for the USA at the Women's World Cup a few weeks ago
Two top athletes from the Olympic Team Trials who return are Sara Fulp-Allen and Alyssa Lampe. Fulp-Allen was third and Lampe was fifth at the Olympic Trials in Las Vegas. Fulp-Allen is a past U.S. Nationals champion, and Lampe won a Junior World medal.
The weight class features some young stars moving up in the rankings, including high school stars C.C. Weber and Victoria Anthony and college stars Joey Miller and Nicole Woody. Miller was second and Woody was thired at the 2009 WCWA Women's Nationals. All of these young athletes have won numerous USA Wrestling age-group titles in the past. Others to watch include Gabby Henry, Ashley Shannon and Rachel Bernardes.
51 kg/112.25 lbs.
Patricia Miranda, who won an Olympic bronze at 105.5 pounds in 2004, as well as three career World medals, seeks top honors in this weight class. Miranda fell to Chun in the 2008 Olympic Trials finals at 105.5 pounds. She has returned at this weight class, where she made her last World Team.
2008 University World champion Katherine Fulp-Allen was named the Wrestler of the Year on the college level this year. Another young talent with high expectations is 2008 U.S. Nationals champion Jessica Medina, who is now graduated from college and training full-time at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
The 2008 U.S. World Team member, high school sensation Helen Maroulis, will wrestle up at 121 pounds this week at U.S. Nationals.
Collegian LeAnn Barney, who placed second at the WCWA Nationals this year and is a past U.S. Nationals medalist, is also a contender. Amy Whitbeck has made a past U.S. Junior World Team.
55 kg/121 lbs.
Leigh Jaynes, who won the U.S. Nationals and competed in the World Championships at 130 pounds in 2007, is seeking to reach the top at her new weight class. Jaynes competed for the USA at the World Cup this year, and has been active in international competition.
Michaela Hutchison is a star on the college level, placing first at the WCWA Nationals, and is a past U.S. Nationals all-American. 2007 Junior World champion Whitney Conder is also expected to compete for top honors at this division.
High school sensation Helen Maroulis, who qualified to compete on the 2008 U.S. World Team., has moved up from 112.25 pounds. Maroulis won numerous age-group titles and is already competitive internationally on the Senior level.
USOEC wrestler Beth Johnson and WCWA Nationals silver medalist Ashley Hudson are among the other top challengers, along with Trinity Plessinger and Ciana Hee.
59 kg/130 lbs.
Deanna Rix placed fifth at the 2008 World Championships, competing on her first Senior World team. She has qualified for two U.S. Junior World teams and has been an age-group champion at many levels.
Tatiana Padilla made a big splash by winning a World bronze medal in 2008 at 121 pounds. Padilla has moved up back to this weight, where she first made a name on the Senior level. She has won a pair of Junior World medals, and was the first four-time Junior Nationals champion in U.S. history.
Kelsey Campbell has made tremendous improvement in the past year, expanding her international experience as she claimed bronze at the Klippan Ladies Open in Sweden. Schuyler Brown, a Junior Nationals champion last year, has shown improvement this year. Among the stars coming from the college ranks at this division are Jennifer Germany, a WCWA National silver medalist and Firen Gassman who placed third at the WCWA Nationals.
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
2008 University World champion Elena Pirozkhova has had a strong winter season, winning a number of international medals including the Hargobind International, NYAC International Open, Dave Schultz Memorial International, and the Ukrainian Memorial. She competed at the 2008 World Championships at 147.5 pounds, but has settled in at this weight class.
2008 Olympic bronze medalist Randi Miller has not wrestled since Beijing, and did not enter the U.S. Nationals.
High school star Veronica Carlson has made major progress on the Senior level this year placing second at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Tessa Plana, the 2009 WCWA Nationals champion on the college level, should also make an impact. Vanessa Oswalt, who has placed at the U.S. Nationals in the past, has returned from injury and is expected to be a contender. Others to watch are Samantha Phillips and Shamaine Danner.
67 kg/147.5 lbs.
2008 Junior World champion Adeline Gray is expected to battle for top honors here, along with 2008 U.S. Nationals champion and 2009 WCWA Nationals champion Stefanie Shaw. Gray, who represented the USA at the Women's World Cup in March, is still in high school and trains at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan. Shaw competes for Oklahoma City University.
Past Junior World Team member Erin Clodgo is a major contender here, after dropping down from 158 pounds. Among the others to watch at this division are 2009 WCWA Nationals bronze medalist Lauren Knight, plus Christen Paysee and Ashley Evans-Smith.
72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Stephany Lee, a two-time University World champion, competed at the 2008 World Championships at this division. She is coming off a strong effort at the 2009 Women's World Cup, where she pinned the Olympic champion from China.
Her top challenger will be 2005 World champion Iris Smith, who remains very competitive at this division. Jenna Pavlik, who was fifth at the 2001 World Championships, is among the most experienced at this division.
College wrestler Lacy Novinska,who placed second at the 2009 WCWA Nationals, is another contender, as is USOEC wrestler Lindsey Brooks .
2008 U.S. Senior Women Nationals results
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
1st - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 1-0
3rd - Sara Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) pin Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 4-1, 1:58
5th - Mary Kelly, Gaffney, S.C. (New York AC) dec. Sadie Kaneda, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC), 5-0, 3-0
7th - Alyssa Lampe, Tomahawk, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) dec. CC Weber, Goodrich Mich. (Shamrocks Wrestling), 3-0, 5-0
51 kg/112.25 lbs.
1st - Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (New York AC) dec. Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC), 3-0, 3-0
3rd - Katherine Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif.(New York AC) dec. Kapua Torres, Williamsburg, Ky. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 4-1, 3-0
5th - Emily Martin, Frisco, Texas (Black Widow Wrestling) dec. Kelli Rasmussen, Winnebago, Minn (Minnesota Storm), 1-1, 1-0, 1-0
7th - Shannon Reeves, Williamsburg, Ky, (Univ. of the Cumberlands) dec. Cheryl Wong, Croton, N.Y. (New York AC), 1-0, 0-4, 2-0
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jenny Wong, Gaffney, S.C. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-0, 6-0
3rd - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 1-3, 2-0, 4-2
5th - Tatiana Padilla, Azusa, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. Shyla Iokia, Wailuku, Hawaii (USOEC)
7th - Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (Gator WC), 1-0, 1-0
59 kg/130 lbs.
1st - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) pin Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC), 2-0, 1:54
3rd - Kelsey Campbell, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-0, 1-2, 1-0
5th - Samantha Fee, Blairstown, N.J. (Missouri Valley College) dec. Sandy Do, San Diego, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 1-0,1-0
7th - Nicole Darrow, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York Athletic Club) dec. Amberle Miracle, Marquette, MI (USOEC), 1-0,1-0
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
1st - Randi Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo (Gator WC) dec. Sara McMann, Gaffney, S.C. (Sunkist Kids), 2-1,4-0
3rd - Alaina Berube, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 1-0,0-6,5-2
5th - Jennifer Germany, Chula Vista, Calif. (Missouri Valley College) inj. dft. Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids),
7th - Shamaine Danner, Richmond, Mo. (Missouri Valley College) dec. Nena Garcia, Williamsburg, Ky. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 8-4, 0-4, 2-1
67 kg/147.5 lbs.
1st - Stefanie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (New York AC) dec. Sara Hillard, Lawrence, Kan. (OCU Stars), 2-0, 6-0
3rd - Ashley Sword, West Palm Beach, Fla. (OCU Stars) pin Lauren Knight, Vallejo, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 4-0, 0:29
5th - Emily Rinehart, Orland, Calif. (Missouri Valley College) inj. dft. Amberlee Ebert, Reedsville, Wis. (Missouri Valley College),
7th - Monique Cabrera, Atherton, Calf. (Menlo College) forfeit over Tina Pihl, Guilford, Conn. (Living Your Dream)
72 kg/158.5 lbs.
1st - Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC) dec. Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-2, 1-0
3rd - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-0, 2-0
5th - Megan Goldsmith, Black River Falls, Wis. (UCWC) dec. Lacey Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (OCU Stars), 2-0,6-0
7th - Jenna Pavlik, Lewes, Del. (New York AC) dec. Kuuiini Johnson, Aiea, Hawaii (USOEC), 2-0, 2-0, 0-0
Chun is one of the top stars expected to compete at the 2009 ASICS U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 9.
Another past Olympic star, 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda, is continuing her career at 112.5 pounds.
The 2008 U.S. World Team featured six athletes competing at their first World-level event. These young stars are expected to make news at the U.S. Nationals this year.
The top seven competitors in each weight class qualify for the World Team Trials, presented by the U.S. Marines, which will be held in Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31.
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Clarissa Chun comes off her most successful season, winning the World title and taking fifth at the Olympics. She won her only U.S. Nationals title in 2006, and seeks to return to the champion podium. Chun spent some time working as a teacher in Japan earlier this season, but returned to the mats for the USA at the Women's World Cup a few weeks ago
Two top athletes from the Olympic Team Trials who return are Sara Fulp-Allen and Alyssa Lampe. Fulp-Allen was third and Lampe was fifth at the Olympic Trials in Las Vegas. Fulp-Allen is a past U.S. Nationals champion, and Lampe won a Junior World medal.
The weight class features some young stars moving up in the rankings, including high school stars C.C. Weber and Victoria Anthony and college stars Joey Miller and Nicole Woody. Miller was second and Woody was thired at the 2009 WCWA Women's Nationals. All of these young athletes have won numerous USA Wrestling age-group titles in the past. Others to watch include Gabby Henry, Ashley Shannon and Rachel Bernardes.
51 kg/112.25 lbs.
Patricia Miranda, who won an Olympic bronze at 105.5 pounds in 2004, as well as three career World medals, seeks top honors in this weight class. Miranda fell to Chun in the 2008 Olympic Trials finals at 105.5 pounds. She has returned at this weight class, where she made her last World Team.
2008 University World champion Katherine Fulp-Allen was named the Wrestler of the Year on the college level this year. Another young talent with high expectations is 2008 U.S. Nationals champion Jessica Medina, who is now graduated from college and training full-time at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
The 2008 U.S. World Team member, high school sensation Helen Maroulis, will wrestle up at 121 pounds this week at U.S. Nationals.
Collegian LeAnn Barney, who placed second at the WCWA Nationals this year and is a past U.S. Nationals medalist, is also a contender. Amy Whitbeck has made a past U.S. Junior World Team.
55 kg/121 lbs.
Leigh Jaynes, who won the U.S. Nationals and competed in the World Championships at 130 pounds in 2007, is seeking to reach the top at her new weight class. Jaynes competed for the USA at the World Cup this year, and has been active in international competition.
Michaela Hutchison is a star on the college level, placing first at the WCWA Nationals, and is a past U.S. Nationals all-American. 2007 Junior World champion Whitney Conder is also expected to compete for top honors at this division.
High school sensation Helen Maroulis, who qualified to compete on the 2008 U.S. World Team., has moved up from 112.25 pounds. Maroulis won numerous age-group titles and is already competitive internationally on the Senior level.
USOEC wrestler Beth Johnson and WCWA Nationals silver medalist Ashley Hudson are among the other top challengers, along with Trinity Plessinger and Ciana Hee.
59 kg/130 lbs.
Deanna Rix placed fifth at the 2008 World Championships, competing on her first Senior World team. She has qualified for two U.S. Junior World teams and has been an age-group champion at many levels.
Tatiana Padilla made a big splash by winning a World bronze medal in 2008 at 121 pounds. Padilla has moved up back to this weight, where she first made a name on the Senior level. She has won a pair of Junior World medals, and was the first four-time Junior Nationals champion in U.S. history.
Kelsey Campbell has made tremendous improvement in the past year, expanding her international experience as she claimed bronze at the Klippan Ladies Open in Sweden. Schuyler Brown, a Junior Nationals champion last year, has shown improvement this year. Among the stars coming from the college ranks at this division are Jennifer Germany, a WCWA National silver medalist and Firen Gassman who placed third at the WCWA Nationals.
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
2008 University World champion Elena Pirozkhova has had a strong winter season, winning a number of international medals including the Hargobind International, NYAC International Open, Dave Schultz Memorial International, and the Ukrainian Memorial. She competed at the 2008 World Championships at 147.5 pounds, but has settled in at this weight class.
2008 Olympic bronze medalist Randi Miller has not wrestled since Beijing, and did not enter the U.S. Nationals.
High school star Veronica Carlson has made major progress on the Senior level this year placing second at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Tessa Plana, the 2009 WCWA Nationals champion on the college level, should also make an impact. Vanessa Oswalt, who has placed at the U.S. Nationals in the past, has returned from injury and is expected to be a contender. Others to watch are Samantha Phillips and Shamaine Danner.
67 kg/147.5 lbs.
2008 Junior World champion Adeline Gray is expected to battle for top honors here, along with 2008 U.S. Nationals champion and 2009 WCWA Nationals champion Stefanie Shaw. Gray, who represented the USA at the Women's World Cup in March, is still in high school and trains at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan. Shaw competes for Oklahoma City University.
Past Junior World Team member Erin Clodgo is a major contender here, after dropping down from 158 pounds. Among the others to watch at this division are 2009 WCWA Nationals bronze medalist Lauren Knight, plus Christen Paysee and Ashley Evans-Smith.
72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Stephany Lee, a two-time University World champion, competed at the 2008 World Championships at this division. She is coming off a strong effort at the 2009 Women's World Cup, where she pinned the Olympic champion from China.
Her top challenger will be 2005 World champion Iris Smith, who remains very competitive at this division. Jenna Pavlik, who was fifth at the 2001 World Championships, is among the most experienced at this division.
College wrestler Lacy Novinska,who placed second at the 2009 WCWA Nationals, is another contender, as is USOEC wrestler Lindsey Brooks .
2008 U.S. Senior Women Nationals results
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
1st - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 1-0
3rd - Sara Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) pin Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 4-1, 1:58
5th - Mary Kelly, Gaffney, S.C. (New York AC) dec. Sadie Kaneda, Honolulu, Hawaii (USOEC), 5-0, 3-0
7th - Alyssa Lampe, Tomahawk, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) dec. CC Weber, Goodrich Mich. (Shamrocks Wrestling), 3-0, 5-0
51 kg/112.25 lbs.
1st - Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (New York AC) dec. Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC), 3-0, 3-0
3rd - Katherine Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif.(New York AC) dec. Kapua Torres, Williamsburg, Ky. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 4-1, 3-0
5th - Emily Martin, Frisco, Texas (Black Widow Wrestling) dec. Kelli Rasmussen, Winnebago, Minn (Minnesota Storm), 1-1, 1-0, 1-0
7th - Shannon Reeves, Williamsburg, Ky, (Univ. of the Cumberlands) dec. Cheryl Wong, Croton, N.Y. (New York AC), 1-0, 0-4, 2-0
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jenny Wong, Gaffney, S.C. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-0, 6-0
3rd - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 1-3, 2-0, 4-2
5th - Tatiana Padilla, Azusa, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. Shyla Iokia, Wailuku, Hawaii (USOEC)
7th - Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (Gator WC), 1-0, 1-0
59 kg/130 lbs.
1st - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) pin Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC), 2-0, 1:54
3rd - Kelsey Campbell, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-0, 1-2, 1-0
5th - Samantha Fee, Blairstown, N.J. (Missouri Valley College) dec. Sandy Do, San Diego, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 1-0,1-0
7th - Nicole Darrow, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York Athletic Club) dec. Amberle Miracle, Marquette, MI (USOEC), 1-0,1-0
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
1st - Randi Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo (Gator WC) dec. Sara McMann, Gaffney, S.C. (Sunkist Kids), 2-1,4-0
3rd - Alaina Berube, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 1-0,0-6,5-2
5th - Jennifer Germany, Chula Vista, Calif. (Missouri Valley College) inj. dft. Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids),
7th - Shamaine Danner, Richmond, Mo. (Missouri Valley College) dec. Nena Garcia, Williamsburg, Ky. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 8-4, 0-4, 2-1
67 kg/147.5 lbs.
1st - Stefanie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (New York AC) dec. Sara Hillard, Lawrence, Kan. (OCU Stars), 2-0, 6-0
3rd - Ashley Sword, West Palm Beach, Fla. (OCU Stars) pin Lauren Knight, Vallejo, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands), 4-0, 0:29
5th - Emily Rinehart, Orland, Calif. (Missouri Valley College) inj. dft. Amberlee Ebert, Reedsville, Wis. (Missouri Valley College),
7th - Monique Cabrera, Atherton, Calf. (Menlo College) forfeit over Tina Pihl, Guilford, Conn. (Living Your Dream)
72 kg/158.5 lbs.
1st - Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC) dec. Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-2, 1-0
3rd - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-0, 2-0
5th - Megan Goldsmith, Black River Falls, Wis. (UCWC) dec. Lacey Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (OCU Stars), 2-0,6-0
7th - Jenna Pavlik, Lewes, Del. (New York AC) dec. Kuuiini Johnson, Aiea, Hawaii (USOEC), 2-0, 2-0, 0-0
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