for immediate release, June 17, 1998USA Wrestling will host a pair of national wrestling championships for women, the Cadet Women's National Championships and the FILA Junior Women's National Championships. The events will be held at the Grace King Center in Metairie, La., June 20-21.
These tournaments will feature the best young women wrestlers in the nation. The Cadet tournament will feature athletes 14-16 years old, and the FILA Junior event will include athletes 16-20 years old.
This is the third year that USA Wrestling has held the Cadet Women's National Championships, and the second straight year that the event has been in New Orleans.
Seven champions from the 1997 Cadet Women's National Championships are eligible to return. They are Jennifer Cycon of Stamford, Conn. at 83 lbs., Micah Kelly of Mercer, Pa. at 88 lbs., Erin Tomeo of Oil City, Pa. at 101 lbs., Katrina Betts of Milan, Mich. at 108 lbs., Marcie Van Dusen of Twin Peaks, Calif. at 123 lbs., Melanie Marcari of Fremont, Calif. at 143 lbs. and Alicia Mena of St. Paul, Minn. at 154 lbs.
The FILA Junior Women's Nationals is being held for the first time. The winners of this event will also qualify to represent the United States at the Women's FILA Junior World Championships in Fredrikstad, Norway, August 7-9.
Some of the best women wrestlers in the nation are eligible to compete at this event including 1998 U.S. Nationals champions Lauren Wolfe of Okemos, Mich. at 149.75 lbs. and Kristie Stenglein of Albany, N.Y. at 165 lbs. Also eligible to compete are 1998 U.S. Nationals runners-up Malissa Sherwood of Citrus Heights, Calif. at 112.25 lbs. and Kristy Jeffrey of Deland, Fla. at 149.75 lbs.
The tournaments will be held alongside the New Orleans International Junior Freestyle Festival, featuring top high school-age athletes from around the United States and foreign nations.
Wrestling will be held on Saturday, June 20, starting at 8:45 a.m. and going through 10:00 p.m. If needed, competition will conclude on Sunday, June 21, starting at 8:00 a.m.
For information, contact Jim Ravannack at (504)757-1748 or (504)455-4216.