Miranda, Miller among champions at U.S. Women’s National Championships
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
04/24/2008

LAS VEGAS, NEV. – With the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling just weeks away, the 2008 U.S. Women’s National Championships had special significance Thursday night at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The champions in the four Olympic weight classes earned a spot in the best-of-three championship series at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15.

Claiming a national title at an Olympic division was 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. Miranda defeated 2001 World silver medalist Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in the championship finals, 6-0, 1-0.

In the first period, Miranda threw Murata for a three-point takedown, turned her and pressed her towards the mat, just missing a fall as time ran out. In the second period, Miranda scored the only takedown for the win. It was Miranda’s seventh career U.S. Nationals title.

“I guess the sentiment is I dare to dream but you always sort of catch yourself when your mind gets too far ahead of where you are in the season,” said Miranda about her victory. “But I have dared to pick up my head and look to Beijing, dream that I can be there, and dream that I can better my bronze medal finish into gold. It’s such a blessing and I really appreciate all the help that’s gone into it.”

Miranda is competing at 48 kg for the first time at the U.S. Nationals since 2004. In 2005, she took a year off to concentrate on her first year at Yale Law School. In 2006 and 2007, she competed up at 51 kg. Miranda dropped down to 48 kg earlier this winter.

The top seven placewinners in the four Olympic weight classes (48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg) and the top four placewinners in the three non-Olympic weight classes (51 kg, 59 kg, 67 kg) qualify to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. This is the major qualifying event for the Trials.

In an upset, Randi Miller (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) defeated 2004 Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann (Gaffney, S.C/Sunkist Kids), 2-1, 4-0. It was Miller’s first U.S. Nationals title. Miller was named Outstanding Wrestler for her victory.

In the first period, Miller broke a 1-1 tie with a takedown late in the period to win. In the second period, Miller controlled the action, with two takedowns and two stepouts to score all four points. Miller had beaten McMann two previous times, but not at an event of this significance.

“Winning and losing, I try to keep that out of my head. I’m going to go out there, I’m fight hard as I can, and I’m going to have fun. That’s just what goes through my head before matches,” said Miller. “To have a win against someone like Sara (McMann) is always going to help. Reminding yourself you can do it will always help you.”

The champions in the two other Olympic weight classes were Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./Gator WC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Van Dusen defeated 2003 World bronze medalist Jenny Wong (Gaffney, S.C./Sunkist Kids) in the finals, It was her second U.S. Nationals title in a row.

Wong won the first period, scoring a takedown from the clinch. In the second period, Van Dusen scored a pair of takedowns in the second period to knot up the match. In the deciding third period, Van Dusen scored four takedowns and a two-point exposure for the technical fall.

Bernard defeated two-time World bronze medalist Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-2, 1-0. It was Bernard’s second career national title. Downing won the first period, defending against the leg clinch. The second period went to Bernard on a two-point takedown. The deciding third period was won on the leg clinch, with Bernard scoring the takedown.

Both finalists defeated past World champions in the semifinals. Downing defeated two-time World champion Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) and Bernard stopped 2005 World champion Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army). Smith defeated Marano in the bronze medal match.

None of the champions at the non-Olympic weight classes have previously won a U.S. Senior Nationals title. Capturing their first national crowns were Jessica Medina (Pomona, Calif./New York AC) at 51 kg/112.25 pounds, Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Stefenie Shaw (Waterford, Conn./New York AC) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.

Medina defeated high school star Helen Maroulis (Rockville, Md./New York AC), 3-0, 3-0 in the finals. Medina won the first period with a three-point takedown from the clinch, and scored the only takedowns in the second period.

Tomeo pinned Othella Lucas (San Diego, Calif./New York AC) late in the second period. Tomeo won the first period with two takedowns. The second period was wide open, with both wrestlers putting their opponents into danger. The period was back and forth, with the score tied at 3-3, 5-5 and 6-6 before Tomeo turned and pinned Lucas with eight seconds left on the clock.

Shaw defeated Sara Hilliard (Lawrence, Kansas/OCU Stars) in the finals, 2-0, 6-0. She scored two first-period takedowns, and was able to open up the offense during the second period with a number of gut wrench exposures.

The Fulp-Allen sisters, Sara at 48 kg/105.5 pounds and Katherine at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., both won bronze medals at their weight classes.

There is one more qualifying event for women wrestlers for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, the Northern Plains Olympic Regional Trials in Waterloo, Iowa, May 8-10. The champions at each weight class at that event qualify for the Olympic Team Trials.

U.S. Nationals video coverage on Live Sports Video
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
04/23/2008

Wrestling fans will be able to watch many of the exciting matches from the Las Vegas/ASICS U.S. National Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. this week.

The entire gold-medal finals of the U.S. Women’s National Championships will be webcast live on LiveSportsVideo.com on Thursday, April 24, starting at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

The finals of men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman will be broadcast on a taped-delayed basis on ESPNU. As part of the broadcast agreement with ESPN, there will be no webcast of the men’s finals.

Flowrestling

U.S. Freestyle National Championships seeded wrestlers
USA Wrestling
04/22/2008

U.S. Freestyle National Championships seeded wrestlers

55 KG/121 LBS.
1. Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Vic Moreno, Stanford, Calif. (Gator WC)
3. Matt Azevedo, Arroyo Grande, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
4. Nick Simmons, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Danny Felix, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids)
6. Adam Smith, Newport, Pa. (New York AC)
7. Rollie Peterkin, Wellesley, Mass. (Sunkist Kids)
8. Grant Nakamura, Branson, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)

60 KG/132 LBS.
1. Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)
2. Angel Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Zach Roberson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
4. Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Shawn Bunch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
6. Teyon Ware, Norman, Okla. (New York AC)
7. Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
8. Darrell Vasquez, Cambridge, Mass. (New York AC)

66 KG/145.5 LBS.
1. Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC)
2. Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
3. Chris Bono, Ringgold, Ga. (Sunkist Kids)
4. Zack Esposito, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
5. Jared Frayer, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
6. Cary Kolat, Baltimore, Md. (Sunkist Kids)
7. Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
8. Joe Johnston, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)

74 KG/163 LBS.
1. Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
3. Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
4. Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
5. Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
6. Ramico Blackman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
7. Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
8. Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC)

84 KG/185 LBS.
1. Joe Williams, Belvidere, Ill. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Mo Lawal, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
3. Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC)
4. Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
5. Chris Pendleton, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
6. Bryce Hasseman, Bloomsburg, Pa. (New York AC)
7. Clint Wattenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
8. Lee Fullhart, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)

96 KG/211.5 LBS.
1. Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
2. Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
3. Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
4. Kyle Cerminara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
5. Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
6. Nik Fekete, Coralville, Iowa (New York AC)
7. Israel Silva, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Sunkist Kids)
8. Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

120 KG/264.5 LBS.
1. Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
2. Steve Mocco, N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC)
3. Les Sigman, Omaha, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
4. Pat Cummins, Blacksburg, Va. (New York AC)
5. Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
6. Tervel Dlagnev, Arlington, Texas (Loper WC)
7. Mike Faust, Coralville, Iowa (Gator WC)
8. John Laboranti, Scranton, Pa. (Penn State WC)

The University of Northern Iowa wrestling team wrapped up the 2007-08 season with its annual awards banquet on Sat., April 19, in the McLeod Center’s Alumni Suite.

UNI finished the season with a dual mark of 7-5-1 and qualified nine wrestlers for the NCAA Championships. The Panthers also captured the Western Wrestling Conference dual and tournament championships. UNI was a perfect 4-0 in league dual action for the second consecutive season. The Panthers then finished off the WWC season by winning the NCAA West Regional/WWC title. The regional win marked the 23rd straight regional crown for the Panthers.

The Panthers then placed 20th in the nation at the 2008 NCAA Division I NCAA Wrestling Championships held March 20-22 in the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. UNI’s Moza Fay led the way with a 5th-place finish in the 165-pound weight class.

Junior Moza Fay (Anamosa, Iowa) was named the Most Valuable Wrestler at the banquet. It marks the second straight season Fay has earned the Panthers’ MVW award after sharing it last year with Nick Baima. Fay posted an overall record of 25-8 and led the squad with 11 falls. He was also named the WWC’s Wrestler of the Year for 2007-08.

Senior Alex Dolly (Mishawaka, Ind.) was given the Chuck Patten Award, which is based on leadership. Dolly reached the Round of 12 at the 2008 NCAA Championships and came within one victory of All-America status. Dolly also reached the Round of 12 at the 2005 NCAA Championships. He was a three-time national qualifier and posted 60 career wins for the Panthers.

Junior Andrew Anderson earned the Lyle E. Schwarzenbach Award. The award recognizes an individual who exhibits the highest standards in citizenship, academics, practice and dedication. Anderson qualified for the NCAA Championships for the third straight season and posted a record of 21-11 in 2007-08. Anderson holds a 3.29 grade point average while majoring in business management.

Redshirt freshman Dustin Bauman (Stratford, Wis.) was awarded the McCready/Steffensmeier Award for leadership. Bauman was a third-team all-WWC selection and earned 13 wins this season for the Panthers at heavyweight.

Senior Danny Dunning (Waterloo, Iowa) was given the Most Courageous Award. Dunning tallied an 8-5 mark in 2007-08, while dealing the sudden death of his father, Walt.

Sophomore Tyson Reiner (Mitchell, S.D.) garnered the Most Improved Award. Reiner qualified for the NCAA Championships and captured a win over Michigan’s Jeff Marsh, 5-2. Reiner missed the first part of the 2007-08 season with a broken bone in his hand, but bounced back to win the 157-pound West Regional title. Reiner was a first-team all-WWC pick this season.

Freshman Nick Pickerell (Albia, Iowa) tallied the Rookie Award at the banquet. Pickerell was also named the WWC Freshman of the Year after tallying a 21-9 overall record. Pickerell earned a trip to the NCAA Championships after winning the 149-pound title at the NCAA West Regional. Pickerell was also a first-team all-WWC pick.

True freshman Christian Brantley (Homewood, Ill.) was given the Redshirt Award.

UNI's four seniors were also recognized by head coach Brad Penrith and the rest of the UNI coaching staff.

UNI's 2007-08 Senior Class
Alex Dolly (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Danny Dunning (Waterloo, Iowa)
C.J. Ettelson (Hudson, Iowa)
Justin Swafford (Mediapolis, Iowa)

2007-08 Award Winners
Redshirt Award – Christian Brantley
Rookie Award – Nick Pickerell
Most Improved Award – Tyson Reiner
Most Courageous Award – Danny Dunning
McCready/Steffensmeier Award – Dustin Bauman
Lyle E. Schwarzenbach Award – Andrew Anderson
Chuck Patten Award – Alex Dolly
Most Valuable Wrestler Award – Moza Fay

NOTE: Mike Mixsell served as the emcee for the event - the 26th consecutive year he has served in that capacity.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell has been taken off of the card for UFC 85 scheduled to take place in London on June 7, MMARated.com is reporting.

The UFC has yet to issue an official statement.

Liddell had been scheduled to fight Rashad Evans. Evans is also expected to be removed from the card with the bout against Liddell likely to be re-scheduled for later in the summer.

Liddell had originally been scheduled to fight Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on the card, but Evans was tapped as a replacement after Rua was forced to bow out after aggravating a knee injury.

There is no word if a replacement main event will be added to the UFC 85 lineup. A heavyweight title between Brandon Vera and Fabricio Werdum is currently the highest profile match that’s still scheduled.

According to the Wrestling Observer, the event, scheduled for the O2 Arena, has sold over 10,000 tickets, making it very unlikely that the event will be re-scheduled entirely.

It will be interesting to see if the show remains scheduled for pay-per-view, as drawing a strong buyrate could be difficult without a legitimate main event. UFC 85 will also be taking place just two weeks after UFC 84, which already an obstacle in regards to drawing a strong buyrate.