Championship Belt Series created for age-group women; Toccara Montgomery of the Sunkist Kids is 2000

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
02/05/2001


USA Wrestling has developed a new award within the Championship Belt Series, to recognize the efforts of women wrestlers on the age-group levels.    The Women's Age-Group Championship Belt Series honors the achievements of female wrestlers on the FILA Cadet, FILA Junior and University levels. Included are USA Wrestling age-group national and international events.     At this time, the award will combine all three age levels together. As the schedule for each age group is expanded in the future, a separate award program may be developed for each age level. The top point scorer in the series receives a handsome plaque.     Women's age-group champion - Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)    Winning the first Women's age-group Championship Belt Series was Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Sunkist Kids), who scored 177 points, defeating runner-up Sara McMann (Lock Haven, Pa./Sunkist Kids) by 29 points.    Montgomery won a silver medal at 149.75 pounds at the FILA Junior World Championships. She won a gold medal at the FILA Junior Nationals and World Team Trials at 149.75 pounds and was named Outstanding Wrestler. She also won a silver medal at the University Nationals at 149.75 pounds.    McMann placed fifth at the FILA Junior World Championships at 138.75 pounds. She also won a pair of USA Wrestling age-group national titles, winning the FILA Junior Nationals and World Team Trials at 138.75 pounds, as well as the University Nationals at 136.5 pounds.    The Belt Series is based upon a point system, rewarding athletes for actual success in competition. Athletes who place in the major USA Wrestling events scored points in the series.    Each event is weighed according to importance and difficulty, in order to determine the most successful wrestler during the season. A wrestler also receives points for receiving the Most Outstanding Wrestler award and Most Falls award at the events.     2000 Women's Age Group Championship Belt Series Standings  1. Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio, Sunkist Kids, 177 pts.  2. Sara McMann, Lock Haven, Pa., Sunkist Kids, 148 pts.  3. Carrie Birge, Omaha, Neb., Missouri Valley College, 135 pts.  4. Dominique Smalley, Iowa City, Iowa, Dave Schultz WC, 130 pts.  5. Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill., unattached, 122 pts.  6. Clarissa Chun, Kapolei, Hawaii, Missouri Valley College, 114 pts.  7. Lisa Bisers, Hampton, Pa., TAPS, 95 pts.  8.(tie) Erin Tomeo, Volant, Pa., TAPS. 90 pts.  8. (tie) Melina Hutchinson, Soldotna, Alaska, Alaska WC, 90 pts.  8. (tie) Alicia Mena, St. Paul, Minn., Minnesota Storm, 90 pts.  8. (tie) Jenny Wong, Stillwater, Minn., Sunkist Kids, 90 pts.