MARQUETTE, MICH. - The Univ. of the Cumberlands women's wrestling team, one of North America's top college programs in recent seasons, defeated a team from the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan Univ. in a season-opening dual meet, 4-3 at the Vandament Arena.

A number of nationally ranked athletes wrestle for both programs, providing high quality competition at each weight class.

Scoring victories for the Univ. of Cumberlands were Leann Barney (121), Othella Lucas (130), Alaina Berube (138.75) and Heather Martin (158.5).

Berube, a past U.S. Nationals champion who is currently ranked No. 2 on Women's Team USA, scored a 7-0, 8-0 technical fall over Shyla Iokia.

Martin, a past U.S. Nationals runner-up, closed the dual with a pin over Dallas Monreal-Berner in 1:25.

The win by Barney and Lucas were key to the Cumberland victory in competitive battles. Barney, a 2006 Junior Nationals runner-up, pinned Amy Borgnini, currently ranked No. 3 on Women's Team USA, in 28 seconds of the second period. Lucas stopped two-time Junior World medalist Dany Hedin by a 6-0, 1-0 margin.

Scoring victories for the USOEC teams were Liz Short (105.5), Alyssa Lampe (112) and Erin Clodgo (147.5). Lampe and Clodgo are new to the USOEC program, after successful high school careers. Clodgo was a 2006 Junior Nationals champion, and Lampe was a Junior Nationals runner-up.

The women's college wrestling season kicks into action this fall, with tournament action in both Canada and the United States.

University of the Cumberlands 4, U.S. Olympic Education Center 3 
At Marquette, Mich., October 19

48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Liz Short (USOEC) dec. Melissa Girard (Cumberlands), 3-0, 4-0
 
51 kg/112 lbs. -  Alyssa Lampe (USOEC) dec. Debbi Saki (Cumberlands), 0-4, 1-0, 1-0
 
55 kg/121 lbs. - Leann Barney (Cumberlands) pin Amy Borgnini (USOEC), 4-1, 0:28
 
59 kg/130 lbs. - Othella Lucas (Cumberlands) dec. Dany Hedin (USOEC), 6-0, 1-0
 
63 kg/138.5 lbs. - Alaina Berube (Cumberlands) dec. Shyla Iokia (USOEC), 7-0, 8-0
 
67 kg /147.5 lbs. -   Erin Clodgo (USOEC) dec. Bethany Harris (Cumberlands), 1-0, 3-0
 
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Heather Martin (Cumberlands) pin Dallas Monreal-Berner (USOEC), 7-0, 1:25