George takes first match of World Team Wrestle-Off in Colorado Springs

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
07/11/2005


Photos    Colorado Springs, Colo. -  Two-time World silver medalist Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) defeated Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo.) in the first match of a best-of-three wrestle-off for the final spot on the 2005 U.S. Women's World Team for wrestling on Monday morning at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.    George downed Van Dusen 2-1, 6-4 in the first match at 55 kg/121 lbs. The second match is slated for 12:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) and a third match, if necessary, will take place 15 minutes following the conclusion of the second match.    In the first period, George took a 1-0 lead 12 seconds after the opening whistle with a takedown near the edge of the mat. Midway through the period, Van Dusen tied the score at 1-1 as she forced George out of bounds. George scored the decisive point in the period with another takedown just 19 seconds later.    In the second period, George took a 3-0 lead just fourteen seconds into the period by taking Van Dusen down and to her back for two exposure points.    Van Dusen then clawed back, scoring a takedown and two exposure points to briefly tie the score at 3-3 before George scored a reversal and two exposure points of her own to take a 6-3 lead. Van Dusen added a takedown with 25 seconds left in the period, but was unable to score from par terre.    George took an extension on her championship series due to injury, something that only national champions may do. She suffered hand and knee injuries which prevented her from competing in the World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa, June 18-19.     Van Dusen earned a position in the Special Wrestle-off by winning the title at the World Team Trials. She defeated Chelynne Pringle (Hugo, Minn./Minn. Storm), 2-2, 1-0 in bout one and 5-0, 2-0 in bout two.    George is a two-time World silver medalist, who placed second at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. She has won three U.S. Nationals titles, and has qualified for five U.S. World Teams.    Van Dusen was a 2004 University World champion, and was a 2005 University Nationals champion. She placed second at the 2005 U.S. National Championships.    The winner of this Special Wrestle-off will represent the United States at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 26-Oct. 2. The rest of the U.S. World Teams in all three styles were determined at the World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa.