Wilson, Smith repeat as champions at Women’s University Freestyle Nationals
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
04/01/2001
Tina Wilson (S. Euclid, Ohio/ Sunkist Kids) and Iris Smith (Albany, Ga./Sunkist Kids) defended their titles by claiming gold medals at the 2001 Women's University National Championships, held at Northwestern Univ. in Evanston, Ill., April 1. Wilson was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament for the second straight year. She defeated 2001 World silver medalist Patricia Miranda (Saratoga, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) in the 123.25-pound finals, 6-0. Wilson was a member of the 1999 and 2000 U.S. World Teams, and is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation on the Senior level. Miranda, a student at Stanford Univ., was competing up one weight class from 112.25 pounds, where she was won the World silver medal. Smith claimed her second straight University National title at 165.25 pounds, defeating Dominique Smalley (Florence, Miss./Missouri Valley), 10-1 in the finals. Smith was a member of the 2000 U.S. Women's Senior World Team, and also holds a No. 1 national ranking on the Senior level. Clarissa Chun (Kapolei, Hawaii/Missouri Valley), who also competed in the 2000 Senior World Championships, claimed the title at 101.25 pounds. Chun defeated college teammate Sandra Padron (Scotvilly, Mich./Missouri Valley), with a 11-0 technical fall. In a gold-medal finals between past Junior World medalists, Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) defeated Junior World medalist Katie Downing (Pendleton, Ind./UM-Morris), 9-2 at 149.75 pounds. Montgomery is currently ranked No. 3 on Women's Team USA. Other individual champions were Jenny Wong (Stillwater, Minn./Sunkist Kids) at 112.25 pounds and Erin Tomeo (Volant, Pa./Sunkist Kids) at 136.5 pounds. Missouri Valley College dominated the tournament, and won the team title with 145 points, followed by the Sunkist Kids with 50 points. The Most Falls award went to Tori Adams (Amarillo, Texas/Missouri Valley), who registered three pins in 9:12 at 136.5 pounds.