Junior National Memories: Siblings Eli and Michaela Hutchison were both Junior champions in 2006
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
This is one of my favorite memories from Fargo, hands down.
When Eli Hutchison of Alaska won the Junior Nationals Greco-Roman title at 135 pounds in 2006, it was not the biggest story in the Greco-Roman tournament. Repeat Junior Greco-Roman champions Shawn Jones of Idaho (125) and Florida’s Jesse Robbins (171) was the big buzz, as well as the performance of Outstanding Wrestler Eric Grajales of Florida (112) was also a big deal.
When Michaela Hutchison of Alaska won the Junior Nationals title for girls at 119 pounds in 2006, it was not the biggest story in the women’s freestyle tournament. Nicole Woody of Maryland (102) and Caitlyn Chase of Illinois (110) won their third career Junior Nationals titles, with Woody getting the Outstanding Wrestler honors. Tatiana Padilla of California (128) and Desiree Memea of Hawaii (175) won Junior titles for the second straight year.
But the fact that Eli and Michaela are a brother-and-sister combination, and that they won their Junior National titles on the same day, this became the big story of tournament and one of the highlights of Junior Nationals history.
The Eli and Michaela story did not start in Fargo, but was a continuation of a fantastic year for these siblings from Skyline High School.
Earlier in the season at the Alaska state high school tournament, Michaela made history as the first girl to win a state high school title competing against boys when she won the Alaska title at 103 pounds. Her older brother Eli won his fourth career state title, this time at 135 pounds, making this the first big brother-sister story for the Hutchison family in the 2005-06 season.
The Hutchison siblings were very much part of a wrestling family. Their father Mike Hutchison was the State Chairperson of Alaska for USA Wrestling. Her older brother Zeb has also won a state high school title. Older sister Melina, was nationally ranked on the senior level in women's wrestling.
Prior to Fargo, their father Mike talked about both children, especially the attention that Michaela had received nationally for being a trailblazer in women’s athletics. It was a little difficult for Mike to see so much attention on just one of the two amazing young people.
"Sometimes it is difficult to see one kid get recognized more than another. I understood it was a historic event for Michaela. But so was Eli's fourth state title. In the past, she won three Junior High titles and was named Outstanding Wrestler three times. Part of the reason she got the OW awards more than Eli was because she is the girl," said Mike.
"It is a bit hard not to see Eli get the recognition. Eli takes it so well. They are so close as brothers and sisters. They really support each other and encourage each other. They are good friends," he said.
When they came to Fargo, both were top hopefuls for a national title, after placing second at the Junior Nationals the year before. Michaela came into the tournament with two UWW Cadet National titles to her credit. Eli had committed to wrestle for Boise State the next year in the fall.
Michaela had the first chance for a national title, as the women’s finals were held first on that day. Her opponent in the finals was Leann Barney of Texas. Michaela won the match in two straight periods, 4-0, 5-1.
The Greco-Roman finals came next, and Eli face Austin Enoch of Oregon, Hutchison won the first period, scoring a three-point throw. The second period was one-sided, as Hutchison scored a three-point throw and a five-point throw to win the gold. The final score was 4-1, 9-0.
As women’s wrestling continues to grow and expand, we can expect many more brother-sister combinations that make national news in the sport. However, nothing showed that wrestling is truly a family sport like that July day in 2006 when the Hutchison siblings were Junior National champions side-by-side.
I write an annual blog at the end of each year, giving my top 10 wrestling stories of the year. Eli and Michaela made the list that year at No. 10. Here is what I wrote in December 2006 about this amazing family story.
10. Brother and sister Hutchisons make wrestling history - For many years, girl wrestlers have been competing on the high school level against boys. A number have placed at their state high school tournaments, including a few who made the gold-medal match and placed second. In 2006, sophomore Michaela Hutchison of Skyview High in Soldotna, Alaska broke down a major barrier, claiming the 103-pound state title competing against boys. It was a special day for the family, as her older brother Eli also won a state title at 135 pounds, making them the first brother-sister state champions ever. Michaela was featured in the national media for many days, including a story in Sports Illustrated. A few months later, the Hutchisons made history again, becoming the first brother-sister act to win ASICS/Vaughan Junior National titles the same year, with Michaela capturing the 119-pound women's freestyle title and Eli capturing Greco-Roman gold medal at 135 pounds. Both were coached by their father Mike, the state chairperson for USA Wrestling Alaska. Here's to another great wrestling family!!!
Junior National Finals results
July 18, 2006 in Fargo, N.D.
Junior Women’s Freestyle – 119 pounds
1st Place Match - Micheala Hutchison (Alaska) dec. Leann Barney (Texas) 4-0,5-1
3rd Place Match - Kelli Rasmussen (Minnesota) dec. Trinity Plessinger (California) 3-0,4-2
5th Place Match - Cherae Pascua (Hawaii) dec. Schuyler Brown (Virginia) 6-2,8-1
7th Place Match - Brittany Woodall (West Virginia) dec. Amber Miracle (Wisconsin) 4-1,2-1
Junior Men’s Greco-Roman - 135 pounds
1st Place Match - Eli Hutchison (Alaska) dec. Austin Enoch (Oregon) 4-1,9-0
3rd Place Match - Justin Accordino (Pennsylvania) pin Chris Iorio (New York) 0-4,6-0,3-1
5th Place Match - Nate Spangler (California) dec. Alex Warren (Indiana) 7-0,1:42
7th Place Match - PJ Gillespie (New York) dec. Lance Gallegos (Colorado) 2-2,6-1
Breaking News – Now updated – the Junior & 16U Nationals All-American Almanac is now available. This massive publication, written by Jason Bryant, has every All-American by year and by state from the USA Wrestling Cadet & Junior Nationals. State and individual records, medals tables and information dating back to 1971. Price is just $20, and everyone who orders gets free updates for life. To order, visit FargoAlmanac.com
When Eli Hutchison of Alaska won the Junior Nationals Greco-Roman title at 135 pounds in 2006, it was not the biggest story in the Greco-Roman tournament. Repeat Junior Greco-Roman champions Shawn Jones of Idaho (125) and Florida’s Jesse Robbins (171) was the big buzz, as well as the performance of Outstanding Wrestler Eric Grajales of Florida (112) was also a big deal.
When Michaela Hutchison of Alaska won the Junior Nationals title for girls at 119 pounds in 2006, it was not the biggest story in the women’s freestyle tournament. Nicole Woody of Maryland (102) and Caitlyn Chase of Illinois (110) won their third career Junior Nationals titles, with Woody getting the Outstanding Wrestler honors. Tatiana Padilla of California (128) and Desiree Memea of Hawaii (175) won Junior titles for the second straight year.
But the fact that Eli and Michaela are a brother-and-sister combination, and that they won their Junior National titles on the same day, this became the big story of tournament and one of the highlights of Junior Nationals history.
The Eli and Michaela story did not start in Fargo, but was a continuation of a fantastic year for these siblings from Skyline High School.
Earlier in the season at the Alaska state high school tournament, Michaela made history as the first girl to win a state high school title competing against boys when she won the Alaska title at 103 pounds. Her older brother Eli won his fourth career state title, this time at 135 pounds, making this the first big brother-sister story for the Hutchison family in the 2005-06 season.
The Hutchison siblings were very much part of a wrestling family. Their father Mike Hutchison was the State Chairperson of Alaska for USA Wrestling. Her older brother Zeb has also won a state high school title. Older sister Melina, was nationally ranked on the senior level in women's wrestling.
Prior to Fargo, their father Mike talked about both children, especially the attention that Michaela had received nationally for being a trailblazer in women’s athletics. It was a little difficult for Mike to see so much attention on just one of the two amazing young people.
"Sometimes it is difficult to see one kid get recognized more than another. I understood it was a historic event for Michaela. But so was Eli's fourth state title. In the past, she won three Junior High titles and was named Outstanding Wrestler three times. Part of the reason she got the OW awards more than Eli was because she is the girl," said Mike.
"It is a bit hard not to see Eli get the recognition. Eli takes it so well. They are so close as brothers and sisters. They really support each other and encourage each other. They are good friends," he said.
When they came to Fargo, both were top hopefuls for a national title, after placing second at the Junior Nationals the year before. Michaela came into the tournament with two UWW Cadet National titles to her credit. Eli had committed to wrestle for Boise State the next year in the fall.
Michaela had the first chance for a national title, as the women’s finals were held first on that day. Her opponent in the finals was Leann Barney of Texas. Michaela won the match in two straight periods, 4-0, 5-1.
The Greco-Roman finals came next, and Eli face Austin Enoch of Oregon, Hutchison won the first period, scoring a three-point throw. The second period was one-sided, as Hutchison scored a three-point throw and a five-point throw to win the gold. The final score was 4-1, 9-0.
As women’s wrestling continues to grow and expand, we can expect many more brother-sister combinations that make national news in the sport. However, nothing showed that wrestling is truly a family sport like that July day in 2006 when the Hutchison siblings were Junior National champions side-by-side.
I write an annual blog at the end of each year, giving my top 10 wrestling stories of the year. Eli and Michaela made the list that year at No. 10. Here is what I wrote in December 2006 about this amazing family story.
10. Brother and sister Hutchisons make wrestling history - For many years, girl wrestlers have been competing on the high school level against boys. A number have placed at their state high school tournaments, including a few who made the gold-medal match and placed second. In 2006, sophomore Michaela Hutchison of Skyview High in Soldotna, Alaska broke down a major barrier, claiming the 103-pound state title competing against boys. It was a special day for the family, as her older brother Eli also won a state title at 135 pounds, making them the first brother-sister state champions ever. Michaela was featured in the national media for many days, including a story in Sports Illustrated. A few months later, the Hutchisons made history again, becoming the first brother-sister act to win ASICS/Vaughan Junior National titles the same year, with Michaela capturing the 119-pound women's freestyle title and Eli capturing Greco-Roman gold medal at 135 pounds. Both were coached by their father Mike, the state chairperson for USA Wrestling Alaska. Here's to another great wrestling family!!!
Junior National Finals results
July 18, 2006 in Fargo, N.D.
Junior Women’s Freestyle – 119 pounds
1st Place Match - Micheala Hutchison (Alaska) dec. Leann Barney (Texas) 4-0,5-1
3rd Place Match - Kelli Rasmussen (Minnesota) dec. Trinity Plessinger (California) 3-0,4-2
5th Place Match - Cherae Pascua (Hawaii) dec. Schuyler Brown (Virginia) 6-2,8-1
7th Place Match - Brittany Woodall (West Virginia) dec. Amber Miracle (Wisconsin) 4-1,2-1
Junior Men’s Greco-Roman - 135 pounds
1st Place Match - Eli Hutchison (Alaska) dec. Austin Enoch (Oregon) 4-1,9-0
3rd Place Match - Justin Accordino (Pennsylvania) pin Chris Iorio (New York) 0-4,6-0,3-1
5th Place Match - Nate Spangler (California) dec. Alex Warren (Indiana) 7-0,1:42
7th Place Match - PJ Gillespie (New York) dec. Lance Gallegos (Colorado) 2-2,6-1
Breaking News – Now updated – the Junior & 16U Nationals All-American Almanac is now available. This massive publication, written by Jason Bryant, has every All-American by year and by state from the USA Wrestling Cadet & Junior Nationals. State and individual records, medals tables and information dating back to 1971. Price is just $20, and everyone who orders gets free updates for life. To order, visit FargoAlmanac.com
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