Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) won a gold medal at 59 kg/130 lbs., one of three U.S. finalists in the women's division at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial International, Friday, Jan. 27. Van Dusen, a 2004 University World champion, was wrestling up one weight class from her normal 55 kg/121 lbs. She won three matches during the tournament. Van Dusen opened the tournament facing U.S. teammate and two-time World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC). Roberts won the first period, then Van Dusen came back to win the final two periods for the victory. In the semifinals, Van Dusen again lost the opening period to a Russian opponent, then dominated the final two periods for a three-period victory. In the gold-medal finals, Van Dusen defeated a Russian opponent in two straight periods. "Marcie wrestled very tough," said U.S. Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett. "In the semifinals, she lost in the first period to a tough Russian opponent, who handled her. Marcie came back and was very physical, and gave the athlete more than she could handle. Marcie broke her. She was able to refocus and do what it took to win. She wrestled a smart, intelligent competition." Two U.S. wrestlers won silver medals in the tournament, Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs.). Murata won her first two matches, beating 2005 Junior World champion Lorissa Oorzhak of Russia in the first match, then stopping U.S. teammate Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in the second match. Both bouts went two periods. In the gold-medal finals, Murata lost a two-period match to a Russian opponent. "Murata was very tough. She was quick, healthy, strong and very big at 48 kg," said Bennett. "She was not able to get her shots going in the finals, and just couldn't catch up when she got behind." Wong opened the tournament with two victories over Russian opponents, needing all three periods to secure the win. In the gold-medal finals, Wong lost to a Russian opponent in two periods. "Jenny wrestled well," said Bennett. "She ran out of time in the finals. She was in a double leg attack when the whistle blew in the first period, and had a similar situation in the second period, as well." Both Murata and Wong were members of the 2005 U.S. World Team, but wrestled in the other's weight division. At the World Championships, Wong was down at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Murata was up at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Both are past World medalists, with Murata having won a World silver medal and Wong having won a World bronze medal. Three U.S. wrestlers placed fifth after losing their bronze-medal matches, Chun, Roberts and 2005 World champion Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Smith opened with a three-period win over veteran Anita Schaetzle of Germany in the first round. In the semifinals, Smith was pinned by a Russian opponent in 25 seconds of the first period. In the bronze medal match, Smith was pinned by another Russian athlete, this time in the closing seconds of the third period. Smith injured her knee during the final bout of the day. The U.S. men's freestyle team begins competition on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix. Six U.S. wrestlers begin their tournaments with opening round matches in the morning. The athletes competing on Saturday are: - Henry Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. - Jared Lawrence (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Bill Zadick (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Lee Fullhart (Christianburg, Va./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. - Chris Pendleton (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. - Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. The 66 kg/145.5 lbs. division in the men's division is loaded, as three past World champions from Russia are entered: Makhach Murtazaliev, Irbek Farniev and Alan Dudaev. Ivan Yarygan Memorial International at Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 27 U.S. performances 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2nd WIN Lorissa Oorzhak (Russia), two periods WIN Clarrisa Chun (USA), two periods LOSS opponent from Russia, two periods 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 5th LOSS Stephanie Murata (USA), two periods LOSS Lorissa Oorzhak (Russia), two periods 51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2nd WIN opponent from Russia, three periods WIN opponent from Russia, three periods LOSS opponent from Russia, two periods 59 kg/130 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), Champion WIN Sally Roberts (USA), three periods WIN opponent from Russia, three periods WIN opponent from Russia, two periods 59 kg/130 lbs. - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 5th LOSS Marcie Van Dusen (USA), three periods LOSS opponent from Russia, two periods 72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 5th WIN Anita Schaetzle (Germany), three periods LOSS opponent from Russia, pin, 0:25 of the first period LOSS opponent from Russia, pin, 1:58 of the third period Names of competitors, and scores, will be updated when received.