USA beats Canada in two women’s bouts at halftime of Lehigh vs. Michigan dual
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USA Wrestling had an opportunity to showcase top women's wrestling with two USA vs. Canada women's freestyle exhibition matches on Friday, November 21.The bouts were held during the halftime break at the Lehigh vs. Michigan Div. I college dual meet in Bethlehem, Pa.
Two members of the 2008 U.S. Women's World Team won their matches, giving the 2,200 plus fans in Stabler Arena something to cheer about
At 130 pounds, Deanna Rix (South Berwick, Maine/New York AC) pinned Amanda Gerhardt of Canada in the second period with a headlock, 3-1, 1:56. Rix scored three points on takedowns in the first period. In the second period, whe was leading 5-0 when she secured the pin.
Rix faced fifth in the 2008 World Championships, and competed on the 2007 U.S. Junior World Team. Gerhardt was second in the 2008 Pan American Championships.
"It felt like a big tournament like in high school," said Rix. "It is a lot different being around these fans. I got really nervous. About 10 seconds into the match, when she took me down out bounds, I snapped back into it and it was fun.
Rix was excited about finishing the match with a pin.
"I usually feel my headlock when it is there. I felt like it was a good time to hit it," said Rix.
At 147.5 pounds, Elena Pirozkhov (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) needed three periods to defeat Megan Buydens of Canada. Pirozkhov scored a takedown late in the first period to win that period, but dropped the second period when Buydens scored the final point of the period. Pirozkhov hit a three-point takedown with exposure for the margin of victory.
Pirozkhov was eighth at the 2008 World Championships and was a 2008 University World champion. Buydens was third in the 2008 Pan American Championships.
"It was exciting to have people watch the matches," said Pirozkhov. "In my high school, we had like 15 people come to our matches. To go from that environment to this is exciting. I wrestled a little clumbsy. It felt good to come back in the third period and hit that open shot for three points. That was great. To wrestle the day before is like having a practice before the tournament.
All four of the women will be competing at the New York Athletic Club International Open on Saturday.
"I want to thank Lehigh coach Pat Santoro and Lehigh University for allowing us to be part of this night," said National Women's Coach Terry Steiner. "The purpose is to expose the college wrestling fan to women's wrestling. For the most part, people were interested and watching."
"I was happy with our athletes," said Steiner. "They were aggressive. It was not easy for them. It is a bigger crowd than they are used to. I liked our aggressiveness and how they fought. They represented women's wrestling and wrestling in general well."
Steiner hopes to have a number of these international women's challenge matches in conjunction with major college wrestling dual meets in the future.
"It is a great sport. It is great for everyone. It can teach lessons to young men and young women. My hope is people will realize that wrestling is wrestling," said Steiner.
There was a large and enthusiastic crowd at the dual meet. To help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lehigh wrestling, the university is welcoming back former wrestlers and coaches to this match. There will be a formal presentation of these past Lehigh greats prior to the start of the dual meet.
USA vs. CANADA WOMEN'S FREESTYLE MATCHES
At Bethlehem, Pa., November 21
59 kg/130 lbs. - Deanna Rix (USA) pin Amanda Gerhardt (Canada), 3-1, 1:56
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Elena Pirozkhov (USA) dec. Megan Buydens (Canada), 2-1, 1-1, 3-0
Athlete Biographies
59 kg/130 lbs.
DEANNA RIX, South Berwich, Maine (New York AC)
Born: July 6, 1987
College: Northern Michigan High School: Marshwood, Maine
- Fifth in 2008 World Championships
- 2008 World Team Trials champion
- Fourth in 2008 U.S. Nationals
- 2008 University Nationals champion
- 2006-07 FILA Junior Nationals champion
- Third in 2006 U.S. Nationals
- 2003-05 Junior Nationals champion
- Second in 2005 Maine HS state championships, competing against boys
AMANDA GERHARDT, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (Burnaby Mountain WC)
College: Douglas College
- Second in 2008 Pan American Championships
- 2008 Hargobind International champion
- 2008 Canadian national runner-up
- 2007 Canadian national champion
- Eighth in 2006 University World Championships
- 2004 Pan American Junior champion
- Second in 2004 Clansman International
- Third in 2003 Commonwealth Championships
67 kg/147.5 pounds
ELENA PIROZKHOV, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
Born: October 13, 1986
College: none High School: Greenfield, Mass.
- Eighth in 2008 World Championships
- 2008 University World Champion
- Fourth in 2008 U.S. Nationals
- Second in 2007 U.S. Nationals at 67 kg
- Second in 2007 U.S. World Team Trials at 67 kg
- Originally from Russia, received U.S. citizenship about two years ago
- 2008 Pan American Championships champion
- 2006 Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open champion
MEGAN BUYDENS, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada (Saskatoon WC)
College: Univ. of Saskatchewan
- Third in 2008 Pan American Championships
- Second in 2006-2008 Hargobind International
- Three-time Canadian Nationals runner-up
- Third in 2007 Sunkist Kids International
- Third in 2006 Canada Cup
- Second in 2005 Canada Cup
- Seventh in 2006 World Cup
- Seventh in 2003 Junior World Championships
- 2006 CIS College Nationals champion
Two members of the 2008 U.S. Women's World Team won their matches, giving the 2,200 plus fans in Stabler Arena something to cheer about
At 130 pounds, Deanna Rix (South Berwick, Maine/New York AC) pinned Amanda Gerhardt of Canada in the second period with a headlock, 3-1, 1:56. Rix scored three points on takedowns in the first period. In the second period, whe was leading 5-0 when she secured the pin.
Rix faced fifth in the 2008 World Championships, and competed on the 2007 U.S. Junior World Team. Gerhardt was second in the 2008 Pan American Championships.
"It felt like a big tournament like in high school," said Rix. "It is a lot different being around these fans. I got really nervous. About 10 seconds into the match, when she took me down out bounds, I snapped back into it and it was fun.
Rix was excited about finishing the match with a pin.
"I usually feel my headlock when it is there. I felt like it was a good time to hit it," said Rix.
At 147.5 pounds, Elena Pirozkhov (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) needed three periods to defeat Megan Buydens of Canada. Pirozkhov scored a takedown late in the first period to win that period, but dropped the second period when Buydens scored the final point of the period. Pirozkhov hit a three-point takedown with exposure for the margin of victory.
Pirozkhov was eighth at the 2008 World Championships and was a 2008 University World champion. Buydens was third in the 2008 Pan American Championships.
"It was exciting to have people watch the matches," said Pirozkhov. "In my high school, we had like 15 people come to our matches. To go from that environment to this is exciting. I wrestled a little clumbsy. It felt good to come back in the third period and hit that open shot for three points. That was great. To wrestle the day before is like having a practice before the tournament.
All four of the women will be competing at the New York Athletic Club International Open on Saturday.
"I want to thank Lehigh coach Pat Santoro and Lehigh University for allowing us to be part of this night," said National Women's Coach Terry Steiner. "The purpose is to expose the college wrestling fan to women's wrestling. For the most part, people were interested and watching."
"I was happy with our athletes," said Steiner. "They were aggressive. It was not easy for them. It is a bigger crowd than they are used to. I liked our aggressiveness and how they fought. They represented women's wrestling and wrestling in general well."
Steiner hopes to have a number of these international women's challenge matches in conjunction with major college wrestling dual meets in the future.
"It is a great sport. It is great for everyone. It can teach lessons to young men and young women. My hope is people will realize that wrestling is wrestling," said Steiner.
There was a large and enthusiastic crowd at the dual meet. To help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lehigh wrestling, the university is welcoming back former wrestlers and coaches to this match. There will be a formal presentation of these past Lehigh greats prior to the start of the dual meet.
USA vs. CANADA WOMEN'S FREESTYLE MATCHES
At Bethlehem, Pa., November 21
59 kg/130 lbs. - Deanna Rix (USA) pin Amanda Gerhardt (Canada), 3-1, 1:56
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Elena Pirozkhov (USA) dec. Megan Buydens (Canada), 2-1, 1-1, 3-0
Athlete Biographies
59 kg/130 lbs.
DEANNA RIX, South Berwich, Maine (New York AC)
Born: July 6, 1987
College: Northern Michigan High School: Marshwood, Maine
- Fifth in 2008 World Championships
- 2008 World Team Trials champion
- Fourth in 2008 U.S. Nationals
- 2008 University Nationals champion
- 2006-07 FILA Junior Nationals champion
- Third in 2006 U.S. Nationals
- 2003-05 Junior Nationals champion
- Second in 2005 Maine HS state championships, competing against boys
AMANDA GERHARDT, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (Burnaby Mountain WC)
College: Douglas College
- Second in 2008 Pan American Championships
- 2008 Hargobind International champion
- 2008 Canadian national runner-up
- 2007 Canadian national champion
- Eighth in 2006 University World Championships
- 2004 Pan American Junior champion
- Second in 2004 Clansman International
- Third in 2003 Commonwealth Championships
67 kg/147.5 pounds
ELENA PIROZKHOV, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
Born: October 13, 1986
College: none High School: Greenfield, Mass.
- Eighth in 2008 World Championships
- 2008 University World Champion
- Fourth in 2008 U.S. Nationals
- Second in 2007 U.S. Nationals at 67 kg
- Second in 2007 U.S. World Team Trials at 67 kg
- Originally from Russia, received U.S. citizenship about two years ago
- 2008 Pan American Championships champion
- 2006 Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open champion
MEGAN BUYDENS, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada (Saskatoon WC)
College: Univ. of Saskatchewan
- Third in 2008 Pan American Championships
- Second in 2006-2008 Hargobind International
- Three-time Canadian Nationals runner-up
- Third in 2007 Sunkist Kids International
- Third in 2006 Canada Cup
- Second in 2005 Canada Cup
- Seventh in 2006 World Cup
- Seventh in 2003 Junior World Championships
- 2006 CIS College Nationals champion
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