Murphy, Ward win Wrestle-offs for U.S. Women’s U15 Pan American team at USOPTC in Colorado Springs
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Rianne Murphy of Indiana (left) battles Juliana Alejandro of Nevada at 42 kg at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. Gary Abbott photo.
VIDEOS: U15 Pan Am Wrestle-off matches
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Two athletes earned spots on the U15 Pan American Team in women’s freestyle and claimed the No. 2 spot on the U15 National Team with victories in a Special Wrestle-off on Friday at the Bill Farrell Wrestling Center at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Claiming the 42 kg team berth was Rianne Murphy of Indiana, who scored a 10-0 technical fall over Juliana Alejandro in the first period. Murphy scored a takedown and turn to lead 4-0. She added a second takedown and an ankle lace turn to make it 8-0. Murphy closed out the win with her third takedown of the bout.
The 62 kg spot went to Haley Ward of Missouri, who scored a 10-0 first-period technical fall over Alessandra Elliot of New York. Ward scored three straight takedowns to lead 6-0. From par terre, Ward scored a pair of turns, including one with a cradle, to reach the 10-point margin of victory.
Ward is ranked No. 8 in the nation at 127 pounds in the National Girls High School Preseason Rankings.
These series were necessary when the runner-up at the U15 national championships and the third place finisher did not face each other during the tournament.
Audrey Jimenez of Arizona (39 kg) earned a U15 Pan American Team berth and No. 2 spot on the U15 National team when her opponent did compete on Friday as scheduled.
The U15 Pan American Championships will be held in Panama City, Panama. The women’s team will compete on November 2.
There is a Developmental Women’s age-group camp going on at the USOPTC this weekend, with athletes from the U15, Cadet, Junior, U23 and Senior levels all working out at the Bill Farrell Wrestling Center. The U23 athletes are preparing for the U23 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, October 30-November 1.
Other wrestle-offs were possible on Friday but did not take place. The following athletes will become No. 2 in their weight classes on their age-group National Teams, as their opponents did not either request a wrestle-off, did not attend camp, or were injured: Skye Realin (Cadet 57 kg), Lizette Rodriguez (Cadet 43 kg), Camille Fournier (Cadet 53 kg), Faith Cole (U15 50 kg), Savannah Cosme (U15 59 kg), and Mia Macaluso (Junior 59 kg). Cole and Cosme will also compete at the U15 Pan American Championships for the USA.
GIRLS NATIONAL TEAM TRUE SECOND WRESTLE-OFFS
At Colorado Springs, Colo., October 18
U15 42 kg - Rianne Murphy (IN) tech. fall Juliana Alejandro (NV), 10-0
U15 62 kg - Haley Ward (MO) tech. fall Alessandra Elliot (NY), 10-0
VIDEOS: U15 Pan Am Wrestle-off matches
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Two athletes earned spots on the U15 Pan American Team in women’s freestyle and claimed the No. 2 spot on the U15 National Team with victories in a Special Wrestle-off on Friday at the Bill Farrell Wrestling Center at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Claiming the 42 kg team berth was Rianne Murphy of Indiana, who scored a 10-0 technical fall over Juliana Alejandro in the first period. Murphy scored a takedown and turn to lead 4-0. She added a second takedown and an ankle lace turn to make it 8-0. Murphy closed out the win with her third takedown of the bout.
The 62 kg spot went to Haley Ward of Missouri, who scored a 10-0 first-period technical fall over Alessandra Elliot of New York. Ward scored three straight takedowns to lead 6-0. From par terre, Ward scored a pair of turns, including one with a cradle, to reach the 10-point margin of victory.
Ward is ranked No. 8 in the nation at 127 pounds in the National Girls High School Preseason Rankings.
These series were necessary when the runner-up at the U15 national championships and the third place finisher did not face each other during the tournament.
Audrey Jimenez of Arizona (39 kg) earned a U15 Pan American Team berth and No. 2 spot on the U15 National team when her opponent did compete on Friday as scheduled.
The U15 Pan American Championships will be held in Panama City, Panama. The women’s team will compete on November 2.
There is a Developmental Women’s age-group camp going on at the USOPTC this weekend, with athletes from the U15, Cadet, Junior, U23 and Senior levels all working out at the Bill Farrell Wrestling Center. The U23 athletes are preparing for the U23 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, October 30-November 1.
Other wrestle-offs were possible on Friday but did not take place. The following athletes will become No. 2 in their weight classes on their age-group National Teams, as their opponents did not either request a wrestle-off, did not attend camp, or were injured: Skye Realin (Cadet 57 kg), Lizette Rodriguez (Cadet 43 kg), Camille Fournier (Cadet 53 kg), Faith Cole (U15 50 kg), Savannah Cosme (U15 59 kg), and Mia Macaluso (Junior 59 kg). Cole and Cosme will also compete at the U15 Pan American Championships for the USA.
GIRLS NATIONAL TEAM TRUE SECOND WRESTLE-OFFS
At Colorado Springs, Colo., October 18
U15 42 kg - Rianne Murphy (IN) tech. fall Juliana Alejandro (NV), 10-0
U15 62 kg - Haley Ward (MO) tech. fall Alessandra Elliot (NY), 10-0
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