U.S. women’s freestyle wins four medals at Klippan Ladies Cup in Klippan, Sweden

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Josi Carlson (USA Wrestling)
03/07/2005


Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) captured a gold medal at the Klippan Ladies Cup in Klippan, Sweden, leading a U.S. squad that won a total of four medals.    George won the title at 55 kg/121 lbs, defeating Mizuho Shibata of Japan in the finals, 4-0, 3-0.     George, a two-time World silver medalist, won four matches on the way to the title. She opened with a victory over Laura Demoury of France, then stopped Maryia Yahorava of Belarus. In the semifinals, George stopped Jesica Bechtel of Germany.    Also winning medals for the U.S. were Caitlyn Chase (Bloomingdale, Ill./Gator WC), Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) and Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids).    Chase, a high school junior and 2004 Junior Nationals Champion, took home the bronze at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. Chase was pinned in the second round by two-time World medalist Carol Huyhn of Canada, but wrestled back with wins in the repechage rounds to claim a bronze medal.    Roberts lost to the tournament's outstanding wrestler Mio Nishimaka of Japan in the championship match at 59 kg/130 lbs. Roberts, a 2003 World bronze medalist, scored four straight wins to qualify for the championship match.    Downing grabbed the silver at 67 kg/147.5 lbs, losing to Canada's Martine DuGrunier in the championship finals. Downing defeated two opponents from Sweden to qualify for the gold-medal match.    Downing recently won gold medals at the Gilbert Schaub Open in France and the Dave Schultz Memorial International in the United States.    Also placing fifth for the U.S. was high school star Nicole Darrow of Pittsfield, Mass at 51 kg/112.25 lbs.    The next stop for the U.S. women is the Trophe Milone in Naples, Italy on March 13.