First-ever wrestling dual meet between U.S. women's collegiate wrestling programs held as UM-Morris defeats Cumberland College (KY), 18-7The first wrestling dual meet ever between U.S. women's collegiate wrestling programs took place in Meadville, Pa., Friday, October 15, 1999. The University of Minnesota-Morris started its fifth season against first year women's wrestling program Cumberland College (Ky.) in a dual meet held at Meadville High School. UM-Morris won the contest, 18-7.
"This is something that I have dreamed of for the last five years," said UM-Morris head wrestling coach Doug Reese. Reese began the first women's official collegiate wrestling program in the U.S. in the fall of 1994 at the University of Minnesota-Morris.
"We are seeing a tremendous growth in wrestling across the U.S. at every level, especially with women's wrestling," said Reese. "Unfortunately for the girls to compete at the high school level they must wrestle versus the guys, but now programs are beginning to be developed at the college level where there is a level playing field."
UM-Morris opened with the first two wins of the dual. Jennifer Donahoe (Goodrich, Mich.) won by forfeit at 101.25 pounds and Olivia Ocampo (Oxnard, Calif.) won by pin over Nikki Woods of Cumberland College in 3:28 at 112.25 pounds. Ocampo is a 1999 U.S. Nationals champion at 101.25 pounds.
Tamera Arnold of Cumberland College then won by a technical fall over Lauren Alderson (Colbert, Wash.), 13-1, at 123.25 pounds. UM-Morris then won the next two matches. Sally Roberts (Federal Way, Wash.) won by pin over Joy Warren of Cumberland College in 0:58 at 136.5 pounds, and Katie Downing (Pendleton, Ind.) won by forfeit at 149.75 pounds. Downing won a silver medal at the 1999 FILA Junior Women's World Championships.
Sara Van Skaik of Cumberland College won the final match over Cassie Inman (Rochelle, Ill.), 3-1, to bring the final score of the UM-Morris victory to 18-7.
Currently three U.S. colleges are sponsoring women's freestyle wrestling as a varsity sport; the University of Minnesota-Morris, Cumberland College (Ky.) and Missouri Valley College.
UM-MORRIS 18, CUMBERLAND COLLEGE 7
Friday, October 15, 1999
at Meadville, Pa.
101.25 lbs./46 kg - Jennifer Donahoe (Goodrich, Mich/UM-Morris) won by forfeit
112.25 lbs./51 kg - Olivia Ocampo (Oxnard, Calif./UM-Morris) won by pin over Nikki Woods (Cumberland College), 3:28
123.25 lbs./56 kg - Tamera Arnold (Cumberland College) won by tech. fall over Lauren Alderson (Colbert, Wash./UM-Morris), 13-1
136.5 lbs./62 kg - Sally Roberts (Federal Way, Wash./UM-Morris) won by pin over Joy Warren (Cumberland College), 0:58
149.75 lbs./68 kg - Katie Downing (Pendleton, Ind./UM-Morris) won by forfeit
165.25 lbs./75 kg - Sara Van Skaik (Cumberland College) dec. Cassie Inman (Rochelle, Ill./UM-Morris), 3-1