1. Nicole Cholek. January 19, 2000 Huntsville Times article about 145 lb. junior wrestler Nicole Cholek. Link to article: http://www.al.com/sports/huntsville/Jan2000/19-e34119.html
1. Helen Foor. December 3, 1998 Fairbanks article about Helen Foor, a senior wrestler at North Pole High School. See also the March 30, 1999 Anchorage Daily News article about Helen's seventh place finish in the 122 lb. class at the 1999 Girls' High School Wrestling National championships. North Pole High School Wrestling Home Page
2. Melina Hutchinson. February 6, 1999 Anchorage Daily News article about Melina Hutchinson, a sophomore wrestler at Skyview High School who became the first female to compete in the Alaska Class 4A state wrestling tournament. '' Hours after her historic state appearance -- a loss to Kenai freshman Jacob Lashot -- Hutchison made history again with the first state-meet win by a female. Her 12-3 major decision over North Pole junior Jeff Serrano was her third this season over Serrano and boosted her record to 20-15.'' Ironically, her first loss at state probably qualified as an upset. She had previously beaten Lashot twice this season, including a 7-0 victory in their first meeting. See also the March 30, 1999 Anchorage Daily News article about Melina's second place finish in the 111 lb. class at the 1999 Girls' High School Wrestling National championships. Skyview High School Wrestling Home Page
3. Tela O'Donnell . March 30, 1999 Anchorage Daily News article about Tela O'Donnell, a 125 lb. wrestler from Homer High School, who won first place at the 1999 Girls' High School Wrestling National championships.
1. Patricia Miranda. May 29, 1996 Saratoga News article about Patricia Miranda, a 103 lb. wrestler at Saratoga High School.
2. Olivia Ocampo. December 17, 1997 Los Angeles Times article about Olivia Ocampo, a 103 lb. wrestler at Channel Islands high school who won her weight class at two varsity tournaments, the Vaquero Classic on December 13 and the 12-man bracket Matador Classic in Bolsa Grande on Jan. 10, as well becoming the first girl in California history to win a league title. See also January 20, 1998, February 8, 1998, and March 31, 1998 Ventura County Star articles and and August 8, 1998 Los Angeles Times article.
3. Mesa Verde High School. December 31, 1998 and January 3, 1999 Sacramento Bee articles about girls on the Mesa Verde High School team and other teams in the Sacramento area.
4. Kiersten Hyatt. March 30, 1999 Sacramento Bee article about Kiersten Hyatt, a junior from El Camino High School and her fourth place finish in the 130 lb. weight class at the 1999 Girls' High School Wrestling National championships.
5. Sonya Washington. March 30, 1999 Sacramento Bee article about Sonya Washington, a senior from Mesa Verde High School and her fourth place finish in the 113 lb. weight class at the 1999 Girls' High School Wrestling National championships.
6. Danni Presley. January 17, 1999 letter to the editor of the Napa News, extolling the wrestling ability of sophomore 112 lb. wrestler Danni Presley, who pinned her opponent in the match written about while trailing 14-5 in the third period. Link to this letter:
7. Melissa Minjarez. October 14, 1998 article about Melissa Minjarez, who, while at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, became the first female in California history to make it to the junior college state wrestling finals. She wrestled at Stockton's Edison high school during her senior year. Minjarez's wrestling career is not over. She has wrestled at four female tournaments and is getting in shape for tournaments next summer. "I'm trying to get a group of wrestlers together to wrestle high school teams," she said. "Hopefully, female wrestling will be in the Olympics soon.
8. Megan Andrews. March 25, 1999 and April 4, 1999 Napa News articles about senior Vintage High School senior and 136 lb. varsity wrestler Megan Andrews, who placed first in the Girl's National Championships and third in the US National Team Trials. "It meant a lot to me that my coach was there," said Andrews, a second-degree black belt at Pinewood Karate in Napa who wore a burgundy-colored Vintage singlet. "This is the first time that he's ever been at one of these national tournaments with me, and it helped a lot that he was there. I wanted to win it for him. I wanted to win it for my parents." She should be one of the top contenders for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, when women's wrestling is introduced. Link to articles about Megan:
See also November 11, 1999 Oklahoma State University Daily Collegian article about Megan's training for the 2004 Olympics.
9. Jenni Toth. January 19, 1988 San Diego Union-Tribune article about Jenni Toth, a 112 lb. freshman wrestler at El Cajon Valley High School and number 3 ranked national judo expert with 4 wins at the junior varsity level.
10. Alexia Stulz. January 19, 1988 San Diego Union-Tribune article about Alexia Stulz, a 146 lb. junior wrestler at Madison High School. "The dude I wrestled from Montgomery wasn't expecting a girl. He didn't expect me to throw him, either."
11. Samantha Reinis. February 13, 1994 San Francisco Examiner article about Samantha Reinis, a 103 lb. freshman wrestler at Berkeley High School.
12. Monica Sanchez. January 21, 1999 Orange County Register article about Monica Sanchez, a 103 lb. senior wrestler at Estancia High School who also plays water polo and is a varsity cheerleader. "I used to work out and lift weights in the wrestling room," said Sanchez, who's won four matches against the boys. "I somehow just decided to give it a try." "At the Brethren Christian Tournament, I noticed other teams gathering around, cheering for me," Sanchez said. "It's pretty funny, but I like it." But her best moment came at the John Glenn Tournament, when she pinned an opponent. "I got him in a choke hold and I looked down and saw his face turn all red," Sanchez said. "Then afterwards one of his teammates told me I made him throw up. I felt bad, but I was happy I won." "It takes a good, experienced wrestler to win," said her coach. "If an inexperienced wrestler goes in expecting a win, they'll get beat."
13. Kelly Rogers. November 16, 1999 Santa Rosa Press Democrat article about Healdsburg High School freshman wrestler and cross country star Kelly Rogers. Link to this article: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/preps/news/41556.html
14. Heather Steffey. January 1, 1999 Los Angeles Times article about Fillmore High School 103 lb. freshman varsity wrestler Heather Steffey, describing one of her wins:
It's meet night at Oxnard High School, and the Fillmore team jogs out into the gym in formation. The varsity team is led by Heather, its tiniest wrestler. She won her varsity status the week before, beating the boy in her weight category for the coveted spot. The bleachers are only half-full because it's a preseason match. But the girl on the mat creates a stir. Heather stuffs her long hair into a Lycra swim cap before donning her ear guards. Heather wrestles first, against a junior from Oxnard High. He is a first-year wrestler, too. Calderon wonders privately if Heather has what it takes to win this one. She has beaten three girls and one boy heading into the match. "She's riding high," he says. "It's time to throw her in there and get her to face reality." Heather jogs out onto the mat and shakes hands with her opponent. He goes for her legs. She topples, and it looks likes it's over. But she wriggles out from under him like a slippery eel and throws herself on top. The crowd cheers. She is feeling good, fending him off. She stomps toward him aggressively. They are down again; she is on top. "Headlock, headlock," Calderon yells from the sideline. He is on his toes, visibly nervous. Then, just like that, Heather takes her foe down--and pins him. Calderon shakes his head in relief and surprise. As Heather runs panting and red-faced off the mat, Calderon hugs her like a happy father.
15. Rachel Salazar. March 25, 1999 Contra Costa Times article about Rachel Salazar, Clayton Valley High School sophomore 103 lb. junior varsity wrestler Rachel Salazar, who has won about half of her matches.
16. Laura Felix. October 29, 1999 Los Angeles Times article about Laura Felix, Calabasas High School sophomore 103 lb. wrestler who was 5-0 in league matches as a freshman.
17. Sara Fulp-Allen. May 28, 1999 Half Moon Bay Review article about 103 lb. freshman wrestler Sara Fulp-Allen. Link to article: http://www.hmbreview.com/sports/stories/99052803s.html
18. Teresa Dal Ben. January 2000 Sacramento Bee article about 119 lb. sophomore wrestler Teresa Dal Ben, who was 12-5 at the time of the article, which describes her second round pin of a male opponent and the benefits she has got from practicing with her brother, who is ranked high in the state.
19. Tammy Morris. January 2000 Sacramento Bee article about 112 lb. senior wrestler Tammy Morris, who was 8-6 at the time of the article and who gave up cheerleading after her sophomore year to concentrate on wrestling.
20. Melissa Moore. January 26, 2000 Campbell Reporter article about 103 lb. sophomore Del Mar High School wrestler Melissa Moore. Link to article: http://www.metroactive.com/papers/campbell.reporter/01.26.00/pub-cit-0004.html
21. Malissa Sherwood. February 13, 2000 SportsGazette.com article about Malissa Sherwood, formerly of Tracy High School and her Olympic aspirations. "She knows tough. Coming from a broken home, she worked to put herself through Sierra Junior College. She just graduated. That's not enough. She's making sure her 17-year-old brother has it better. He'll go to college because of her. It's that kind of determination that made her go out for football as a sophomore at Tracy (Calif.) High School. After the season, some of the boys from the football team were wrestling. Just having fun. 'I liked what the boys were doing,' she said. 'I tried it. I started wrestling. I was respected by the boys. I made a lot of boys cry.' Link to article: http://www.gazette.com/archive/00-02-13/daily/spts6.html
22. Marcie Van Dusen. A senior at Lake Arrowhead High School (California) who in February 2000 won her league's varsity wrestling championship at 119 lbs. To our knowledge, this is only the second time a high school girl has won her league's varsity championship, the first being Olivia Ocampo of Channel Islands High School (California) in 1998 in the 103 lb. class. Further, Marcie is as far as we know the only girl to qualify for the CIF sectional tournament (the sectional qualifier for the California championships) two years in a row. Links to articles about Marcie:
http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/romario/912/gnews111.htm
In her senior year, Marcie placed fourth at the CIF, narrowly missing the opportunity to advance to the CIF Masters (the regional tournament between the CIF sectionals and the state championships). ARTICLES DETAIL
23. Stacia Anderson. A 16 year old Sophomore 119 pound wrestler at Ramona High School in San Diego, was in the San Diego Union Tribune April 2, 2000 for finishing 5th in the 2000 Girls High School Wrestling National Championships in Michigan at 119 pounds, and was also in February 13, 2000 for San Diego County Championships. Also featured in the Ramona Sentinel on March 23, March 30, and April 6, 2000, reference her placing 3rd in California State Championships, and 5th in Nationals.
24. Helaina Day. A junior wrestler at San Mateo High School, Helaina won her league's 130 lb. JV championship in February 2000 and the California USGWA Championships. ARTICLES DETAIL
25. Jonelle Hicks. Senior Sacramento Valley High School wrestler Jonelle Hicks, 2nd place finisher in the 2000 California USGWA Championships at the 130 lb. class. ARTICLES DETAIL
24. Vintage High School Wrestling Team:
25. Thousand Oaks High School Girls Wrestling Team:
http://www.staronline.com/110499/sports/sports.htm
http://www.insidevc.com/archives/110499/sports/sports.htm
http://www.latimes.com/sports/preps/20000105/t000001255.html
MISCELLANEOUS: Links to miscellaneous California wrestlers:
http://www.hmbreview.com/news/stories/98012803n.html
http://www.hmbreview.com/new_paper/opinion/stories/98012801o.html
http://www.hmbreview.com/sports/stories/99052803s.html
http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Ramp/5078/page36.html
http://orion.csuchico.edu/Archives/Volume34/Issue2/Sports/Wiwrthworl.html
http://www.uniontribune.com/sports/preps/20000111-0010_1s11p-preptu.html
1. Beth Weatherby. February 8, 1996 Denver Rocky Mountain News article about 103 lb. champion gymnast and wrestler Beth Weatherby, who had a 17-10 varsity record, including 14 pins, while not getting pinned herself. One of her opponents said he remembers his coach telling him before his first match with Weatherby to show her wrestling is a ''man's sport.'' ''Now, he tells me to watch my balance.'' ''I have a heck of a time turning her because of her flexibility. I've only seen one guy put her on her back, and that was for all of a second. Because Beth is so good in gymnastics, guys don't realize how strong she is. And that becomes their mistake.'' See also February 2, 1995 Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph article about Beth's junior year, in which she had 10 wins.
2. Cathilee Albert . July 9, 1999 Daily Camera article about Fairview High School junior to be Cathilee Albert, who competed on the junior varsity boys wrestling squad in the 130 and 135-pound weight classes during the winter before winning the 16-and-under girls wrestling national championship earlier this summer. Link to article about Cathilee: http://community.bouldernews.com/sports/highschool/709fhs.html
1. Jill Yost. January 24, 1999 Hartford Courant article about Jill Yost, a 118 lb. wrestler at Manchester High School.
2. Diana Mauceri and Lauren deWalt. February 3, 2000 Danbury Connecticut News Times article about 119 lb. senior varsity wrestler Diana Mauceri and 145 lb. junior varsity wrestler Lauren deWalt of Ridgefield High School. In her third year on the team, Diana has won eight matches and lost 13. "This year is the year I buckled down and started pinning people down," she said. Mauceri is also buoyed by the success of junior varsity teammate Lauren deWalt, who later pinned her male opponent in a 145-pound match. As the referee resolutely raised her hand, a jubilant deWalt turned to face her teammates, who jumped to their feet to applaud her. Mauceri was the first runner-up for the hostess position at the Miss Southern New England segment of the American Teen Coed pageant in 1997-98. She said the two broken noses and bruises she has suffered in her three-year wrestling career can be easily camouflaged with make-up. The article also describes wrestlers Janis Given and her friend Amy Scarlett who decided against the cheerleading squad as a winter sport because they knew they might not make the cut. Plus, she said, wrestling is a better workout. The girls "work hard, they train hard, they lift (weights) hard," said Ridgefield High Athletic Director Chip Silvestrini. "They do the same activity, same sweat, same vigor as anyone else" on the team.
1. Miriam Jenkins. February 18, 1999 Gainesville Sun article about Miriam Jenkins, a 103 lb. senior wrestler at Gainesville High School who won her second consecutive district title with a 26-8 record. Jenkins made history when she became the first girl to win a match in the state wrestling tournament. Jenkins entered the tournament 31-9, but was defeated in a quarterfinal match. Gainesville High School Wrestling Home Page
2. Kelly Williams. February 4, 1995 Tampa Tribune article about St. Petersburg High's Kelly Williams, who became Pinellas County's first female wrestler to win a district title, competing at 103 pounds. See also a December 13, 1994 St. Petersburg Times article, which indicated she had to defeat four male wrestlers in trials to earn a varsity spot.
3. Leslie Barrerio. December 19, 1998 and February 6, 2000 Palm Beach Post articles about Leslie Barrerio, a 103 lb. wrestler at Santaluces High School who was the first girl to win a match at the Palm Beach County annual Christmas tournament and was 2-1 at the JV level at the time of the article and expected to be the varsity starter her senior year..
4. Jamie Magnor. January 6, 1995 Palm Beach Post, a 119 lb. sophomore wrestler at Tequesta High School, believed to be the county's first female wrestler to pin an opponent at the varsity level. Magnor was losing 5-0 at the end of the first period in a match against Adam Mayer, her 119-pound competitor from William T. Dwyer High School. She trailed 9-4 at the end of the second period and 9-6 with 1:30 left in the match. Then she put Mayer on his back, earning three points and tying the score at nine, and then pinned him in less than 20 seconds.
5. Holly Haritan. January 7, 2000 Orlando Sentinel article about Holly Haritan of Lyman High School, fifth place finisher at the 1999 Girls High School National Championships in Michigan.
6. Angela Hernandez. February 3, 2000 and February 21, 2000 Sarasota Herald Tribune articles about 103 lb. Lemon Bay High School senior and Florida Girls State Champion Angela Hernandez. ARTICLES DETAIL
MISCELLANEOUS: Links to miscellaneous Florida wrestlers:
http://www.tampatrib.com/Sports/MGIAYRAZJ5C.html
http://orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschools/112498_PCENTER24.html
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032598/ner_n4Girl_w.html
http://www.theledger.com/sports/preps/12wadv.htm
http://orlandosentinel.com/automagic/sports/2000-01-28/SPTWRESTLE28012800.htm
See also December 2, 1999 Tampa Tribune article about 152 lb. junior varsity
wrestler Zephyrhills High School's Nicole Rathburn's first win in three
seasons. Her winless streak ended Tuesday when Rathburn pinned
Central's Michael Sullivan. Her feat didn't go unnoticed. Wrestlers
from Central's rival schools -Springstead and Hernando - were on one side
of the gym cheering and Zephyrhills fans and wrestlers were on the other side
doing the same. When Rathburn turned Sullivan onto his back in the third period,
the Central gym erupted with fans stomping their feet and screaming
Rathburn's name. With a tight half nelson applied and Sullivan's shoulders flat,
the referee's hand slapped the mat with 1:01 left in the match.
"It doesn't matter if it's a JV win," Rathburn said with tears in her
eyes. "It's a win."
Rathburn's parents, Mike and Julie, walked into the gym midway through the first
period with their daughter trailing 4-3. They watched her take a 6-4
advantage after
two periods. "When I walked in I started cheering and she looked up
and saw me," Julie said. "She knew we were there."
Rathburn had a 9-4 lead before pinning Sullivan. "Finally,"
Julie said. "She's been working for this for years and it's a
great way to start the season."
Hard cross-face moves from Sullivan left Rathburn with a black eye, but she'll
wear the bruise as a badge of honor. "After he punched me in
the face, I knew I had to win," Rathburn said. Bruises, scratches and
mat burns are all part of wrestling and Rathburn earns them daily.
"It's all part of being a wrestler," Rathburn said.
1. Amy Williams. November 26, 1994 article about 103 lb. junior wrestler Amy Williams of Brockwood High School, with a record of 2-3 at the time of the article.
2. Patrice Crenshaw. February 4, 1999 Atlanta Constitution article about Patrice Crenshaw, a 103 lb. wrestler at Tri-Cities High School, who was 25-12 at the time of the article. She regularly brings home straight A's in the Talented and Gifted program. A self- proclaimed future physiologist of America, she said being part of the wrestling team has been, and will continue to be, a major key to her success. "It gives us a better perspective of how the real world will be."
See also January 15, 1998 article about Patrice. "Most of her 11 wins ---she's lost 10 ---have come by pin and all but one have come against boys." Mookie Dupree, who won a state championship last season, was skeptical, too ---until he got a look at his new teammate. "The first time I saw her she had a cutoff shirt on, and it was obvious she'd been lifting weights," Dupree said. "I thought, There's our 103-pounder.." Woodward Academy coach Pete Fritts Jr. said, "She's not a token girl just out there to be doing it. She's a good wrestler who's obviously worked hard to get better. Someone like that you have to take seriously." None of the vanquished boys has reacted in anger." . "As hard as she works," her coach said, "by the time she's a junior or senior, she could be the first female to qualify for the state tournament."
3. Jody Johnston. December 5, 1999 Augusta Chronicle article about Jody Johnston, 140 lb. junior varsity wrestler at Evans High School, and six other girls on the team.
1. February 28, 1998 article about 87 girls who competed in Hawaii's first state
girl's championships, including Lahainaluna senior Lia Berger, who pinned Nicole Manuel of
Moanalua at 1:38 of their 140-pound quarterfinal match, and said she was happy to be in
her own state tournament but disappointed in another way. "I wrestled varsity
for my team all year but I was prevented from competing in the MIL (Maui Interscholastic
League) championships because there is a sanctioned state tournament for girls now,"
said Berger. She had beaten four of the six boys who competed for the MIL 140-pound
title and was anxious for a chance at a title.
Baldwin High coach Mike Donahoo, who has seen the 5-7 Berger wrestle, said he believes she
would have had a chance to win against male competition in the MIL tournament. Berger, who
has 20 victories against boys in her varsity career and has pinned every girl she has ever
faced, has a multi-dimensional background. She was Miss Maui Teen 1997 and first runner-up
Miss Hawaii Teen. A 4.3 student with two advanced placement courses, she has starred
in several original youth theater musicals on Maui and also plays piano.
"Wrestling is not for every girl, but if you want to stick with it, you can handle
it," she said.
Miscellaneous links to articles about Hawaii wrestlers:
http://starbulletin.com/98/02/27/sports/satsports.html
http://starbulletin.com/1999/03/03/news/story2.html
http://www.mohs.k12.hi.us/wrestling/girls_wrestling.htm
2. Lia Berger. May 1, 1998 Honolulu Star Bulletin about Lia Berger, a state champion wrestler in the girl's division in Hawaii and her struggles to finance college. Link to article about Lia: http://starbulletin.com/98/05/01/news/story6.html
1. Mandy Thompson. February 13, 1998 Chicago Sun Times article about Mandy Thompson, a 103 lb. wrestler at Libertyville High School, the first girl in Illinois history to make it to the second round (sectionals) in the state tournament. See also February 14, 1997 Chicago Sun Times article about Mandy's 21-12 junior year.
2. Mary Kelly. March 22, 1998 and May 5, 1998 The Pantagraph articles about Mary Kelly, an eighth-grader at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High, who won third in the state competing against boys in the 75-pound weight class. ARTICLES DETAIL
Mary's high school team:
http://www.ms.k12.il.us/mshs/athletics/wrestling/index.html
1. Allison Haller. December 24, 1998 Evansville Courier & Press article about Allison Haller, a 126 lb. senior wrestler at Southridge High School who finished in the top five at the 1998 Girls' National High School Wrestling tournament.
2. Katie Downing. April 3, 1998, April 9, 1998 and September 7, 1999 Indianapolis Star articles about Katie Downing, a 149 lb. senior wrestler at Pendleton Heights High School. She finished the wrestling season at Pendleton Heights with an 8-6 record - competing against boys - before wrestling at the first U.S. High School Women's Wrestling championships. Practicing against her male teammates paid huge dividends as Downing won her four matches - all pins in less than a minute - and won the 154-pound division. Downing pinned her first opponent in 12 seconds, the second in 18, and the third in 57. She won the title in a mere 22 seconds. "It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be," she said."If I had not wrestled against the guys, it wouldn't be as easy wrestling (other) girls." Added her coach: "Most of those girls have been wrestling quite a bit. The girl she (Downing) beat from Iowa in the title match has been wrestling since she was in the second grade. But that girl has never wrestled against boys." That's where Downing gets her strength. She was a member of the Arabians' boys varsity wrestling team last season.
3. Ange Vires. December 18, 1989 Louisville Courier Journal article about Ange Vires, a then freshman 103 lb. wrestler at Scotsburg High School, perhaps the first girl to wrestle at the high school level in Indiana. She had three wins at the time of the article. Her reception at the Brown County dual meet early in the season was cold and a little hostile, said her cousin, also on the team. She responded by pinning her opponent in one minute and 51 seconds.
4. Leslie Harvey. January 4, 2000 Indianapolis Star article about Carmel High School 103 lb. sophomore wrestler Leslie Harvey.
1. Blair Young. April 7, 1998 Waukon Telegraph Herald article about junior wrestler Blair Young, who finished fourth in the first United States High School Girls Wrestling Championships. Link to article:
http://www.thonline.com/th/news/040798/review/102410.htm
1. Keli Hinton. February 6, 1999 Wichita Eagle article about Keli Hinton, a 112 lb. varsity wrestler at Andover High School.
Links to articles about Keli:
http://www.wichitaeagle.com/sports/local/columns/lutz0206.htm
http://www.andovernet.com/archives/sports/1999/sports082699.html
2. Brooke Bogren. February 27, 1999 Kansas City Star article, Witchita Eagle article and Topeka Capital Journal article about Brooke Bogren, a 103 lb. freshman wrestler who became the first girl in Kansas history to make the state tournament. She won a match, pinning her second opponent in 1:57 of the first round. See also a January 27, 1999 Lawrence Journal World article about Brooke when her record was 13-3. Santa Fe Trail High School Wrestling Home Page
Links to articles about Brooke:
http://cjonline.prepzone.com/stories/022699/pre_bogren.shtml
http://dodgeglobe.prepzone.com/stories/022699/pre_bogren.shtml
http://www.wichitaeagle.com/sports/local/preps/girlwrestler0227.htm
3. Cheryl Meyer. May 29, 1994 Denver Rocky Mountain Post article about Cheryl Meyer of Sabetha High School in Morrill, Kansas, who defeated a world silver medal placer as a 14 year old in 1993 and had a12-11 record as a freshman.
1. Jessica Amos. February 7, 1996 Louisville Courier Journal article about 112 lb. sophomore Jessica Amos, who won three matches during a tournament during her first season wrestling at South Oldham High School.. ``When she won that first match, that was one of the proudest moments of my teaching career," said her coach, Ron Coleman.
1. Kelly Odinet. February 13, 1998 New Orleans Times Picayune article about Kelly Odinet, a 103 lb. wrestler who made Louisiana prep wrestling history by becoming the first girl to wrestle her way to the state tournament. She won 14 matches her senior year, 6 by pin.
1. Kristen Jewett. February 11, 1999 Wiscasset Newspaper article about Kristen Jewett, a Wiscasset High School sophomore 112 lb. wrestler who became Western Maine Champion for the 112 pound class. The win didn't come as a surprise to Kristen. She was confident she would defeat her Dirigo opponent. Since her last interview in December, Kristen said she has improved her skills. ``I don't lose as much,'' she said. ``The matches are getting much closer.'' See also February 10, 1999 Bangor Daily News article. Links to articles about Kristen:
http---WiscassetNewspaper.Maine.Com-1999-02-11-lady_wrestler.html
http://wiscassetnewspaper.maine.com/1999-02-18/female_wrestler.html
http---WiscassetNewspaper.Maine.Com-1999-12-16-whs_wrestling.html
2. Betty Beasley. February 10, 1999 Bangor Daily News article about Betty Beasley, a 103 lb. freshman wrestler at Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln with a 12-6 record. "She won four matches at our annual middle school tournament last year," said a coach at another high school.
3. Jodi Kokosa. February 10, 1999 Bangor Daily News article about Jodi Kokosa, a 103 lb. wrestler who attends Bangor High School but trains and wrestles for John Baptist, since Bangor High doesn't offer wrestling. She had a 5-6 record this season, including 3 pins.
MISCELLANEOUS: Links to miscellaneous Maine wrestlers:
http://www.coaststar.com/Archive/1999/jan21/Newske.htm
1. Dena Glisan. April 1, 1999 Baltimore Sun article about Dena Glisan, an
Oakland Mills High School senior wrestler who finished third at the U.S. Girls Wrestling
Association's national championships. Glisan, a defending national champ, lost
in the 122-pound semifinals, 5-3, to a junior world power-lifting champion from Hawaii, a
state with seven finalists in the 14 weight classes. of the match. Glisan weighed in
at 118.1 pounds, just barely missing the 118-pound
class. She had dropped from 128 pounds.
1. Ashleigh Fang. February 24, 1999 Boston Globe article about 103 lb. junior wrestler Ashleigh Fang of Lynnfield High School.
2. Tiffany Fagioli. February 2, 1999 Providence Journal-Bulletin article about Tiffany Fagioli, a Durfee High School junior with six years of judo experience. The article mentions that she beat two Durfee males out of her weight class, making her the first female on the varsity team. It also describes a match where she pinned her opponent. "We're living in the 90s now," she added. "All the males in wrestling need to realize females are going to want to wrestle, and it doesn't matter that they are going against the females. It's not a big deal when you go against a girl and lose." "Wrestling is wrestling. It doesn't matter if you're a girl or a guy. She's good, she's pinned people before. She knows what she's doing," said a wrestler from another school.
3. Kristen Casaubon. January 13, 2000 Southbridge Evening News article about the Shepard Hill High School wrestling team, including freshman 135 lb. wrestler Kristen Casaubon.
4. Karen Chouinard and Christine Schmuck. February 7, 2000
Taunton Daily Gazette article about senior Karen Chouinard and junior Christine
Schmuck of Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, both of whom played
prominent roles in their school's wrestling team's drive to the 12th Old Colony
League title in their coach's 26 campaigns, cemented by a thrilling 36-30
victory over Silver Lake Regional. Chouinard is the true
"trailblazer" of the group. A gymnast for two years, she switched
sports last season, much to her coach's surprise. "When I was on the
gymnastics team, we used to practice right before or after the wrestling team
and I started to hang around with their guys," she said. According to
Chouinard (who has done research on the topic), there are approximately 3,500
high school girls today in the United States who compete on scholastic wrestling
teams. Chouinard has dramatically improved since first hitting the mats a
little over a year ago. Last March, she finished fourth in her weight class (125
pounds) at the Colonial States Girls Wrestling Tournament in Brookline (attended
by female grapplers from throughout the eastern U.S.) and claimed a gold medal
last summer in the Middleweight Division of the annual Bay State Games held in
Boston.
"Some people think I'm crazy, but I just love the sport," she said.
"I'm not trying to do anything special. I just want to wrestle."
Chouinard admits that the first few weeks of the 1998-99 season were difficult
for her until she gained the confidence and respect of her teammates. "At
first, most of the boys thought I was a joke and some were making bets on how
long I would last," she said. "I guess they thought I was invading
their turf." So, what turned it around for her?
"When I went out and pinned a guy in my first match, I think I earned their
respect," she said.
Chouinard credits her prior gymnastics training with enhancing her performances
in wrestling. "I can't match most boys in upper-body strength, but I have
strong legs," she said. "When I use my legs to gain leverage and get
on top of an opponent, I usually win."
According to her coach, Schmuck received a black eye during a match earlier this
year when a male opponent accidentally elbowed her while making a move.
"Christine never complained or cried about it," he said. "I think
she understood that among wrestlers, a black eye is like a badge of honor."
While both oppose girl wrestlers on rival squads when they are available
(approximately 20-25% of B-R's foes boast girls on their rosters, Chouinard
said), they also occasionally find themselves required to wrestle boys.
Chouinard, for instance, has beaten two boys and three girls this year, while
losing twice to boys.
Chouinard said that boys on Old Colony League teams are generally reluctant to
grapple girls, but that outside the league, opponents are much easier to find.
"We really have problems only with the OCL teams," she said.
"When we wrestle teams outside the league, especially when we compete in
tri-meets or quad-meets, there's always someone for me to wrestle."
While Chouinard and Schmuck usually practice against each other, they frequently
go head-to-head with members of the opposite gender and it's no picnic for the
males. "They're both good wrestlers, they're really tough and it's
definitely a challenge to go against them," said freshman Tom Hennessey.
"It's not easy. They both go all out. "At the start of the season, I
wasn't sure how I would react to wrestling against them, but I have no problems
with it now." Hennessey's sentiments were echoed by sophomore Ryan Gracia.
"It's the same as wrestling a guy," he said. "To me, it's not an
uncomfortable thing to do. I've gotten used to it."
Coach Holmes opined that the daily travails that Chouinard and Schmuck face in
practicing against boys pays off when they compete against members of their own
gender. "Karen and Christine are both very strong and physical wrestlers
and because they face boys every day, they generally use more physical moves
than girls who don't go through what they go through," he said. "It's
helped them become very aggressive and better wrestlers."
MISCELLANEOUS: Links to miscellaneous Massachusetts wrestlers:
http://users.ids.net/~riwa/brooklin.htm
5. Brookline Girls High School Team.
http://www.hometownsports.com/stories-winter98/feature/wrestlinggwrfs0209.html
1. Casey Baranoski. December 30, 1997 Grand Rapids Press article about Casey Baranowski, , a 103 lb. wrestler at Comstock Park High School and the first girl to win 100 high school matches. See also January 2, 1998 Detroit News article describing how she started wrestling when she was 5. As a freshman, she was 30-12 at 103 pounds and finished third in her conference. She was conference champ at that weight as a sophomore. See also the March 26, 1998 Detroit Free Press article in which Casey indicates that having a separate girls' wrestling league is not a good idea.
Link to article about Casey: http://detnews.com/1998/metro/9801/02/01020041.htm
2. Amber Morris. February 16, 1998 Detroit News article about Amber Morris, a 103 lb. wrestler at Waterford Kettering High School . See also the February 26, 1998 Detroit News article about Amber, describing her first place finish in the Grand Blanc Invitational and second place finish at the Waterford Tournament. See also the May 19, 1998 Detroit News article on Amber, describing an MTV segment on her and other female athletes. She had a 20-7 record at 103 pounds one season and finished third in her conference. See also the January 26, 1996 Detroit News article about Amber. "The memory of Amber Morris' opponent laughing 'like, I have to wrestle a girl' is still vivid as she recalls taking the mat against Rochester High earlier this month. Waterford Kettering's Morris pinned her opponent in the 103-pound match. 'I don't have a lot of upper body strength, but I do have strong legs.' Morris is a five-time national speed roller skating champion. She plays on an all-girl Triple-A ice hockey team and a women's roller hockey team. She also has a 3.8 grade-point-average." Link to article about Amber:
http://detnews.com/menu/stories/32809.htm
3. Katrina Betts. February 19, 1998 Detroit News article about Katrina Betts, a 112 lb. wrestler at Milan High School. Link to article about Katrina:
http://www.detnews.com/1998/preps/9802/23/02190018.htm
4. Cynthia Harrold. March 10, 1999 Saginaw News article, and March 11, 1999 Detroit Free Press article, about Cynthia Harrold, a 103lb wrestler who was the first girl to make it to the Michigan state championship tournament. She entered the tournament with a 29-7 record, including an unbelievable 19 pins! See also the March 6, 1999 Detroit News article about Cynthia, describing her career record of 96 wins and 32 losses and how she has to win by wide margins because officials do not want her competing.
Link to articles about Cynthia:
http://www.detnews.com/1999/preps/9903/02/03020202.htm
http://freep.com/sports/preps/qpextra111.htm
5. Melissa Baldwin. March 26, 1998 Detroit Free Press article about Melissa Baldwin and how she won the 123-pound title at the second annual Michigan High School Girls Wrestling Association tournament, after beating Casey Baranoski of Comstock Park. She had a 21-18 for Burton Bendle High School. This article also indicated that there were about 275 girls wrestling on boys teams during the 97/98 season.
6. Lauren Wolfe. February 22, 1993 Sports Illustrated article about Lauren Wolfe, when she was a 112 lb. sophomore wrestler at Okemos High School with a record of 13 wins and 9 losses. The article included a description of her scoring a 16-0 technical fall. See also January 21, 1996 Detroit News article about Amber Morris, described above.
7. Jenni Ross. January 21, 1996 article about Jenni Ross, of
Essexville-Garber (north of Bay City), who became the first girl to
qualify for an individual regional tournament. She had a 76-20 record during her
freshman and sophomore seasons at 100 pounds, but decided not to come out her
junior year. "She has all the qualities of a champion," said
Essexville-Garber Coach Steve Brissette. "She's a technician where she
knows
what she's going to do. She's 5-foot-9 and uses her length for leverage.
Ross was voted Most Valuable Wrestler for lower weights by the coaches in the
Pinconning Invitational last season.
8. Sandra Padron. February 20, 1998 and February 22, 1999 Ludington Daily News articles about (or mentioning) Mason County Central 103 lb. wrestler Sandra Padron. Links to articles:
http://www.ldnweb.com/Archive/1999/128/Sports/wrestling/wrestling.htm
http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/Archive/1998/220/Sports/prep1/prep1.htm
http://ludingtondailynews.com/Archive/1999/222/Sports/wrestling/wrestling.htm
1. Jenny Wong. January 17, 1999 St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press article about Jenny Wong, co-captain of the cheerleading squad and 119 lb. senior varsity wrestler at Woodbury High School with a 9-8 record. See also March 30, 1999 St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press article about Jenny's first place finish at the 1999 Girls' High School Wrestling National championships in the 118 lb. class with a 6-0 tournament record, including a 6-2 win in the finals against Oregon's Cheryl New.
2. Megan McHattie. March 30, 1999 St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press article about Megan McHattie, a senior wrestler from St. Paul Central High School and her first place finish at the 1999 Girls' High School Wrestling National championships in the 130 lb. class with a 6-0 tournament record. She won the national championship with a 4-2 decision over Hawaii's Heather Robertson. She had a .500 record wrestling on Central's varsity and junior varsity teams this season.
3. Peggy Van De Mark. February 10, 2000 Associated Press article about Kimball Area High School junior 130 lb. wrestler Peggy Van De Mark.
4. Various. March 30, 1999 St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press article about how various Minnesota wrestlers did at the1999 Girls' High School Wrestling National championships, including Alicia Mena, a freshman at St. Paul Humboldt, who was third at 159, with four of her victories were by pins; St. Paul Central junior Elena Mena, who was fifth at 142; Kimball's Peggy Van DeMark, a sophomore, who was eighth at 130; and St. Paul Central freshman Carla McHattie was 12th at 128.
1. Julie Tucker. February 20, 1998 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article about Julie Tucker, a 103 lb. wrestler who was the first girl to make it to the Missouri state championship tournament. She entered the tournament with a record of 22-14, with seven pins and three technical falls. See also January 30, 1998 Kansas City Star article about Julie's preparation for the state qualifying tournament. Link to article about Julie:
http://www.statsonline.com/1997-98wrestling/page43.htm
2. Stephanie Nichols. February 4, 1999 Kansas City Star article about Stephanie Nichols, a 112 lb. wrestler at Center High School who began wrestling in 7th grade. The article described her pinning her opponent in the fifth-place match of the Center Invitational.
3. Tonya Evinger. April 9, 1999 Kansas City Star article about Tonya Evinger, a 142 lb. wrestler at Odessa High School, who started wrestling in 8th grade and recently won the 2nd United State High School Girls' Wrestling Championships. During the two-day meet in Lake Orion, Mich., she defeated all five of her opponents, including California's Teri Kleinberg 12-2 in the championship. Only Evinger and one other girl have gone undefeated and won titles both years. She has been a district medalist and sectional qualifier. See also July 20, 1999 Kansas City Star article about Tonya being the only high schooler to make this year's 18-woman World Team. "Evinger has done lots -- brawling and boxing, racing cars and riding bulls -- but her latest accomplishment may be her greatest: She won a spot on the women's wrestling World Team late last month and will represent the United States in international competition. Seeing as how she's still a lanky, slim 18-year-old who will be a senior at Odessa High School, Evinger has to be considered an early favorite for the 2004 Olympics, when women's wrestling will make its debut as a demonstration sport."
4. Elizabeth Markett. February 4, 1994 St. Louis Post Dispatch article about Elizabeth Markett, a 140 lb. senior wrestler at Clayton High School with a 10-5 record.
1. Sheena Kubas. January 15, 1999 Missoulian article about Sheena Kubas, a freshman 112 lb. wrestler at Missoula Big Sky High School who was the the first female to wrestle in the 22-year history of Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic and the the first female varsity wrestler at the Class AA level in Montana. Kubas beat a sophomore in a wrestle-off to earn her varsity spot. She has won three matches, including two by pin, and lost four times. She also took fourth at the Corvallis Invitational as a member of the Eagles' JV squad. Any doubts about her ability were put to rest in the second week of the season when Kubas pinned an opponent from Lake City, Idaho, in 57 seconds. Her teammates and coaches have been big supporters. Link to article about Sheena:
http---www.missoulian.com-archives-index.inn-loc=detail&doc=-1999-January-15-376-sports4.txt
Many of the articles listed above are available for a nominal fee at www.newslibrary.com. If you are aware of other interesting articles about successful female high school wrestlers, please let us know.