Japan, Canada, China join USA at impressive Women’s Cadet/Junior Championship Camp in Ohio
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by Brandon Roten and Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
For some young people, summer is a time to spend doing leisure activities while on vacation from school. For more than 100 young women wrestlers from four powerful wrestling nations, a big part of their summer will be in the gym training together in freestyle wrestling.
“Our summer camps are traditionally well attended. This is our preparation camp for the age-group World Championships and the Pan American Championships. This year, we decided to add more to the experience, and give the program a boost with international participation. We put this opportunity out to as many countries as we could, and we are excited that China, Canada and Japan have decided to join us,” said Assistant National Women’s Coach Emma Randall.
The Team USA Championships Camp is an intensive 11-day training opportunity which began on Monday. The athletes are staying at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, and training at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. The schedule begins each morning at 6:30 a.m., with training and meetings as late as 9:00 p.m. For sure, this is truly no day at the beach.
The U.S. participants are a who’s who of women’s wrestling at the age-group level. The 2017 U.S. teams competing at the UWW Junior Worlds, the UWW Cadet Worlds, the UWW Junior Pan American Championships and the UWW Cadet Pan American Championships are required to attend. The U.S. camp roster includes the majority of the current Cadet and Junior National Teams, which feature the top three wrestlers in each weight class. In addition, a number of other nationally respected athletes are among the Americans in the camp.
You will recognize 2015 Cadet World champion and 2016 Cadet World silver medalist Ronna Heaton of South Dakota, 2016 Junior World bronze medalist Maya Nelson of Colorado, 2016 Cadet World medalists Gracie Figueroa of California, Macey Kilty of Wisconsin and Alara Boyd of Indiana on the roster. But every one of the young women in camp have had a high level of success in USA Wrestling’s national events in the past. This is the group that will help the United States excel in women’s wrestling now and in the future.
“This forces them to come together, train together and get better together,” said Randall. “We want these athletes to win when they go to the World Championships, to the Pan American Championships, to Fargo, to the Women’s Age-Group Nationals and to the Folkstyle Nationals. We want to remind them of the prizes that are there for them to achieve,” said Randall.
The Canadian lineup includes numerous young women who are ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation at their weight class in their age-group programs. The wrestlers from Japan and China are talented. The inclusion of the international athletes is giving the U.S. wrestlers a chance to practice against different individuals with a variety of unique wrestling styles, something designed to help them in future international competitions.
Equally impressive is the roster of coaches who are working with the women. The U.S. delegation is led by Randall and fellow Assistant Women’s National Coaches Clarissa Chun, a World champion and Olympic medalist. Another USA Wrestling staff member working at the camp is Applications Developer Dave Mathews, the former women’s coach at Life University who has coached age-group women for many years and has coaching duties as part of his job.
The other U.S. coaches in camp are leaders in USA Wrestling’s age-group programs, the coaches that will be working with the young women at the World Championships or Pan American Championships, as well as other camps and competitions. Included is a former Olympic women’s coach, Tadaaki Hatta, and a two-time World Greco-Roman bronze medalist Harry Lester. College coaches Sam Schmitz, Donnie Stephens and Julia Salata are joined by respected coaches Brent Barnes, Cleo Lane, Forrest Molinari, Chad Shilson and Andrea Yamamoto
“This helps our National Coaching Pool to get to know the athletes and build relationships. This becomes the foundation of our success. It is not just the time on the mats. They are together at meetings, going through sports psychology, nutrition and all of the other activities. This is what connects us, and drives the team forward,” said Randall.
The coaching excellence also extends to the other international delegations. Among the coaches from Canada are Canadian National Coach and three-time Olympic medalist Tanya Verbeek, as well as 2008 Olympic champion and two-time Olympic medalist Carol Huynh. The coaches from the Japan and China delegations are also experienced and respected.
“Things have gone really well. We have had three great days and look forward to what lies ahead for us,” said Randall.
You can keep up with the training camp by visiting the USA Women’s Wrestling Facebook page, where photos and videos from camp will be posted each day.
WOMEN’S TEAM USA CHAMPIONSHIP CAMP
At Geneva, Ohio
UNITED STATES
U.S. Athletes
Tiyahna Askew,Lawrenceville, Georgia
Vale-Rae Baker, Benton, Pennsylvania
Katalina Bartelt, Coral Gables, Florida
Allie Baudhuin, Coppell, Texas
Michaela, Beck, New York, New York
Kristal Betanzo, Hillsborough, California
Joclyn Bhatha, Vancouver, British Columbia
Kennedy Blades, Broadview, Illinois
Korina Blades, Broadview, Illinois
Alara Boyd, Muncie, Indiana
Cara J Broadus, Terryville, Connecticut
Emma Bruntil, Everson, Washington
McKayla Campbell, Wauseon, Ohio
Samara Chavez, Arlington, Texas
Kelani Corbett, Mililani, Hawaii
Gracie Figueroa, Sanger, California
Ally Fitzgerald, Lynbrook, New York
Charlotte Fowler, Katy, Texas
Alexandria Glaude, West Sacremento, California
Alexis Gomez, Carol Stream, Illinois
Abigail Gonzalez, Pacoima, California
Cameron Guerin, Yakima, Washington
Charlie Hamer, Lewisville, Texas
Ronna Heaton, Brookings, South Dakota
Alisha Howk, Blue Springs, Missouri
Tiare Ikei, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jathiya Isaac, Plainview, Texas
Stefana Jelacic, Foutain Hills, Arizona
Nonnie Justice, Harrisonville, Missouri
Macey Kilty, Stratford, Wisconsin
Ainslie Lane, Bixby, Oklahoma
Jayden Laurent, Denmark, Wisconsin
Alexandria Liles, Allen, Texas
Olivia Mark
Tiffani McNelis. Stewartstown, Pennsylvania
Xochitl Mota-Pettis, Humble, Texas
Shaina Murray, Watchung, New Jersey
Maya Nelson, Denver, Colordo
Trina Nguyen, Walnut, California
Joanne Ortiz, New Milford, Connecticut
Gladdys Palma, Ashland, Oregon
Katlyn Pizzo,, Madison Heights, Michigan
Sierra Powell, Capon Bridge, West Virgina
Genesis Quirarte Bakersfield, California
Hannah Ramos, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Asia Ray, Arlington, Texas
Brenda Reyna, Mount Vernon, Washington
Angel Rios, Arvada, Colorado
Kateri Rowell, Aberdeen, Washington
Logan Ryan, Sandusky, Michigan
Genae Sampract, Danville, Illinois
Andrea Sennett, Wheeling, Illinois
Emily Shilson, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Olivia Shore, St. Paris, Ohio
Ariah Snyder, Grafton, Ohio
Tilynne Vasquez, Kalispell, Montana
Caitlyn Walker, Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Amanda Walker, Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Mika Walters, Lakewood, New York
U.S. Coaches
Assistant National Women’s Coach Emma Randall, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Assistant National Women’s Coach Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Brent Barnes, Lake Stevens, Washington
Tadaaki Hatta, Elyria, Ohio
Cleo Lane, Fresno, California
Harry Lester, Uniontown, Ohio
David Mathews, Winston, Georgia
Forrest Molinari, Benecia, California
Julia Salata, Canton, Michigan
Sam Schmitz, Lebanon, Illinois
Chad Shilson, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Donnie Stephens, Williamsburg, Kentucky
Andrea Yamamoto, Richland, Washington
CANADA
Athletes
Amy Bellavia
Joclyn Bhatha
Anabelle Boudreau
Nyla Burgess
Jayd Davis
Nicole Kasia Depa
Saige Everton
Amelia Frisbee
Melissa Fryer
Virginie Gascon
Tianna Grace Kennett
Wendy Liu
Vivan Katrina Mark
Kirti Saxena
Alexia Adeline Devalmont Seal
Victoria Seal
Dejah Slater
Shantay Slater
Ligaya Stinellis
Hannah Taylor
Coaches
Canada National Coach Tonya Verbeek
Julie Beaulieu
Mila Biggs
Ken Burgess
Nick Cryer
Carol Huynh
Ashok Kumar
Frank Mensah
JAPAN
Athletes
Natsuho Hirano
Norika Fukui
Riko Kasai
Kiwa Sakae
Yu Sakamoto
Azuki Shinagawa
Aoi Yamada
Coach
Ryoko Sakamoto
CHINA
Full roster not currently available
“Our summer camps are traditionally well attended. This is our preparation camp for the age-group World Championships and the Pan American Championships. This year, we decided to add more to the experience, and give the program a boost with international participation. We put this opportunity out to as many countries as we could, and we are excited that China, Canada and Japan have decided to join us,” said Assistant National Women’s Coach Emma Randall.
The Team USA Championships Camp is an intensive 11-day training opportunity which began on Monday. The athletes are staying at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, and training at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. The schedule begins each morning at 6:30 a.m., with training and meetings as late as 9:00 p.m. For sure, this is truly no day at the beach.
The U.S. participants are a who’s who of women’s wrestling at the age-group level. The 2017 U.S. teams competing at the UWW Junior Worlds, the UWW Cadet Worlds, the UWW Junior Pan American Championships and the UWW Cadet Pan American Championships are required to attend. The U.S. camp roster includes the majority of the current Cadet and Junior National Teams, which feature the top three wrestlers in each weight class. In addition, a number of other nationally respected athletes are among the Americans in the camp.
You will recognize 2015 Cadet World champion and 2016 Cadet World silver medalist Ronna Heaton of South Dakota, 2016 Junior World bronze medalist Maya Nelson of Colorado, 2016 Cadet World medalists Gracie Figueroa of California, Macey Kilty of Wisconsin and Alara Boyd of Indiana on the roster. But every one of the young women in camp have had a high level of success in USA Wrestling’s national events in the past. This is the group that will help the United States excel in women’s wrestling now and in the future.
“This forces them to come together, train together and get better together,” said Randall. “We want these athletes to win when they go to the World Championships, to the Pan American Championships, to Fargo, to the Women’s Age-Group Nationals and to the Folkstyle Nationals. We want to remind them of the prizes that are there for them to achieve,” said Randall.
The Canadian lineup includes numerous young women who are ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation at their weight class in their age-group programs. The wrestlers from Japan and China are talented. The inclusion of the international athletes is giving the U.S. wrestlers a chance to practice against different individuals with a variety of unique wrestling styles, something designed to help them in future international competitions.
Equally impressive is the roster of coaches who are working with the women. The U.S. delegation is led by Randall and fellow Assistant Women’s National Coaches Clarissa Chun, a World champion and Olympic medalist. Another USA Wrestling staff member working at the camp is Applications Developer Dave Mathews, the former women’s coach at Life University who has coached age-group women for many years and has coaching duties as part of his job.
The other U.S. coaches in camp are leaders in USA Wrestling’s age-group programs, the coaches that will be working with the young women at the World Championships or Pan American Championships, as well as other camps and competitions. Included is a former Olympic women’s coach, Tadaaki Hatta, and a two-time World Greco-Roman bronze medalist Harry Lester. College coaches Sam Schmitz, Donnie Stephens and Julia Salata are joined by respected coaches Brent Barnes, Cleo Lane, Forrest Molinari, Chad Shilson and Andrea Yamamoto
“This helps our National Coaching Pool to get to know the athletes and build relationships. This becomes the foundation of our success. It is not just the time on the mats. They are together at meetings, going through sports psychology, nutrition and all of the other activities. This is what connects us, and drives the team forward,” said Randall.
The coaching excellence also extends to the other international delegations. Among the coaches from Canada are Canadian National Coach and three-time Olympic medalist Tanya Verbeek, as well as 2008 Olympic champion and two-time Olympic medalist Carol Huynh. The coaches from the Japan and China delegations are also experienced and respected.
“Things have gone really well. We have had three great days and look forward to what lies ahead for us,” said Randall.
You can keep up with the training camp by visiting the USA Women’s Wrestling Facebook page, where photos and videos from camp will be posted each day.
WOMEN’S TEAM USA CHAMPIONSHIP CAMP
At Geneva, Ohio
UNITED STATES
U.S. Athletes
Tiyahna Askew,Lawrenceville, Georgia
Vale-Rae Baker, Benton, Pennsylvania
Katalina Bartelt, Coral Gables, Florida
Allie Baudhuin, Coppell, Texas
Michaela, Beck, New York, New York
Kristal Betanzo, Hillsborough, California
Joclyn Bhatha, Vancouver, British Columbia
Kennedy Blades, Broadview, Illinois
Korina Blades, Broadview, Illinois
Alara Boyd, Muncie, Indiana
Cara J Broadus, Terryville, Connecticut
Emma Bruntil, Everson, Washington
McKayla Campbell, Wauseon, Ohio
Samara Chavez, Arlington, Texas
Kelani Corbett, Mililani, Hawaii
Gracie Figueroa, Sanger, California
Ally Fitzgerald, Lynbrook, New York
Charlotte Fowler, Katy, Texas
Alexandria Glaude, West Sacremento, California
Alexis Gomez, Carol Stream, Illinois
Abigail Gonzalez, Pacoima, California
Cameron Guerin, Yakima, Washington
Charlie Hamer, Lewisville, Texas
Ronna Heaton, Brookings, South Dakota
Alisha Howk, Blue Springs, Missouri
Tiare Ikei, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jathiya Isaac, Plainview, Texas
Stefana Jelacic, Foutain Hills, Arizona
Nonnie Justice, Harrisonville, Missouri
Macey Kilty, Stratford, Wisconsin
Ainslie Lane, Bixby, Oklahoma
Jayden Laurent, Denmark, Wisconsin
Alexandria Liles, Allen, Texas
Olivia Mark
Tiffani McNelis. Stewartstown, Pennsylvania
Xochitl Mota-Pettis, Humble, Texas
Shaina Murray, Watchung, New Jersey
Maya Nelson, Denver, Colordo
Trina Nguyen, Walnut, California
Joanne Ortiz, New Milford, Connecticut
Gladdys Palma, Ashland, Oregon
Katlyn Pizzo,, Madison Heights, Michigan
Sierra Powell, Capon Bridge, West Virgina
Genesis Quirarte Bakersfield, California
Hannah Ramos, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Asia Ray, Arlington, Texas
Brenda Reyna, Mount Vernon, Washington
Angel Rios, Arvada, Colorado
Kateri Rowell, Aberdeen, Washington
Logan Ryan, Sandusky, Michigan
Genae Sampract, Danville, Illinois
Andrea Sennett, Wheeling, Illinois
Emily Shilson, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Olivia Shore, St. Paris, Ohio
Ariah Snyder, Grafton, Ohio
Tilynne Vasquez, Kalispell, Montana
Caitlyn Walker, Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Amanda Walker, Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Mika Walters, Lakewood, New York
U.S. Coaches
Assistant National Women’s Coach Emma Randall, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Assistant National Women’s Coach Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Brent Barnes, Lake Stevens, Washington
Tadaaki Hatta, Elyria, Ohio
Cleo Lane, Fresno, California
Harry Lester, Uniontown, Ohio
David Mathews, Winston, Georgia
Forrest Molinari, Benecia, California
Julia Salata, Canton, Michigan
Sam Schmitz, Lebanon, Illinois
Chad Shilson, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Donnie Stephens, Williamsburg, Kentucky
Andrea Yamamoto, Richland, Washington
CANADA
Athletes
Amy Bellavia
Joclyn Bhatha
Anabelle Boudreau
Nyla Burgess
Jayd Davis
Nicole Kasia Depa
Saige Everton
Amelia Frisbee
Melissa Fryer
Virginie Gascon
Tianna Grace Kennett
Wendy Liu
Vivan Katrina Mark
Kirti Saxena
Alexia Adeline Devalmont Seal
Victoria Seal
Dejah Slater
Shantay Slater
Ligaya Stinellis
Hannah Taylor
Coaches
Canada National Coach Tonya Verbeek
Julie Beaulieu
Mila Biggs
Ken Burgess
Nick Cryer
Carol Huynh
Ashok Kumar
Frank Mensah
JAPAN
Athletes
Natsuho Hirano
Norika Fukui
Riko Kasai
Kiwa Sakae
Yu Sakamoto
Azuki Shinagawa
Aoi Yamada
Coach
Ryoko Sakamoto
CHINA
Full roster not currently available
