Betts named Outstanding Wrestler in Senior Division At Saunders Cup for Women, May 30Katrina Betts (Milan, Mich./Tappan) claimed the gold medal at 112 pounds and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the Senior Division at the Saunders Cup, held in Milan, Mich., May 30.
The Saunders Cup, hosted for the fourth straight year, features freestyle wrestling competition for female wrestlers of all ages. The tournament is named in honor of two-time World Champion Tricia Saunders, who was a youth wrestler in Michigan.
Betts pinned both of her opponents, stopping runner-up Dana Trickey of the Blizzard Club of North Dakota in 1:54, and pinning Nicole Bryson of Michigan in 30 seconds. Betts was a 1997 Cadet National champion.
1997 Cadet National Amy Wahle (Neola, Iowa/Golden Eagle) claimed the 136-pound title with a n 11-5 decision over Elena Mena (St. Paul, Minn./Minn. Storm). Mena is nationally ranked on the Senior level.
Other Senior Division champions were Mabel Fonseca (Minneapolis, Minn./Minn. Storm) at 123 pounds and Alicia Mena (St. Paul, Minn./Minn. Storm) at 165 pounds.
The tournament also featured highly competitive action on four age-group levels: Cadet (15-16 years), plus Group 3 (12-14 years), Group 2 (9-11 years) and Group 1(8 and under).
A pair of sisters from Ohio claimed Outstanding Wrestler honors in the age-group divisions. Jessica Shirley was named Outstanding Wrestler in the Cadet Division, after claiming the 101-pound title. Shelby Shirley claimed the Outstanding Wrestler award in Group 1 (8 and under) after winning the 46-pound title. The Shirleys wrestle for the Monster Squad club.
The Outstanding Wrestler in Group 3 (12-14 years) was Mary Kelly of Kelly's Kids in Illinois, the 85-pound champion. The Outstanding Wrestler in Group 4 2 (9-11 years) was Trisha Kulas of Springport, Mich., the 73-pound champion.
Tricia Saunders attended the tournament, providing a clinic for the participants and supporting their efforts. The event was directed by Mike Betts of Milan, Mich., a leader with the host Tappan Wrestling Club.
1998 SAUNDERS CUP at Milan, Mich., May 30, 1998
Senior Division
112 - 1st - Katrina Betts (Tappan) pin Dana Trickey (Blizzard), 1:54; 3rd - Nicole Bryson (MI)
123 - 1st - Mabel Fonseca (Minn. Storm) pin Nicole Barnes (Tappan), 1:26; 3rd - Angie Mergen (Minn. Storm)
136 - 1st - Amy Wahle (Golden Eagles) dec. Elena Mena (Minn. Storm), 11-5; 3rd - Tina Carter (Swartz Creek)
165 - 1st - Alicia Mena (Minn. Storm) won by tech. fall over Sarah Van-Skaik (Brotherhood of Pride), 14-4
Outstanding Wrestler - Katrina Betts (Tappan), 112 lbs.
Cadet Division
101 - 1st - Jessica Shirley (Monster Squad) pin Brooke Bogren (KS), 2:45; 3rd - Lindsey Trosen (Piranha)
108 - 1st - Katrina Betts (Tappan) dec. Devin Kelly (TAPS), 5-0; 3rd - Erin Tomeo (TAPS)
123 - 1st - Lisa Biser (TAPS) dec. Rebekka DeCola (Tappan), 8-0; 3rd - Nicole Barnes (Tappan)
132 - 1st - Jessica Martin (Tappan) pin Rosaria DeCola (Tappan), 2:52; 3rd - Brandy Rosenbrook (MI)
154 - 1st - Laura DiCesare (Tappan) pin Jessica Bartley (Tappan), 2:23; 3rd - Becca Torres (Titan Freestyle)
154+ - 1st - Alicia Mena (Minn. Storm) pin Sarah DiCesare (Tappan), 2:20; 3rd - Alicia Osness (Minn. Storm)
Outstanding Wrestler - Jessica Shirley (Monster Squad), 101 lbs.
Group 3 (12-14 years old)
80 - 1st - Jenna Emmons (Carson City-Crystal) won by tech. fall over Gina DeCola (Tappan), 12-0; 3rd - Jennifer Hardimon (MI)
85 - 1st - Mary Kelly (Kelly's Kids) dec. Lynde Baltrusaitis (Tappan), 4-3; 3rd - Chelynne Pringle (MN)
94 - 1st - Shannah Swanson (MI) dec. Janice Bartley (MI), 9-2; 3rd - Stephanie Nuffer (Pinckney WC)
98 - 1st - Leanna Betts (Tappan) dec. Allison Kelly (TAPS), 5-2; 3rd - Nicole Harmer (MI)
111 - 1st - Brooke Bogren (KS) pin Jammie Johnson (Minn. Storm), 1:36; 3rd - Lindsay Trosen (Piranha)
132 - 1st - Brandy Rosenbrock (MI) pin Hope Marie Huizar (Vessar Scrappers), 0:20; 3rd - Sheri Hilliard (Devil's Lake Satens)
154 - 1st - Jessica Bartley (Tappan) pin Shelby Manos (MI), 1:36
173 - 1st - Laura DiCesare (Tappan) won by tech. fall over Sarah DiCesare (Tappan), 14-4; 3rd - Yesenia Gomez (MI)
Outstanding Wrestler - Mary Kelly (Kelly's Kids), 85 lbs.
Group 2 (9-11 years old)
66 - 1st - Madison Bangert (MI) dec. Katie Tausch (X-Men), 9-=0; 3rd - Stephanie Duty (OH)
73 - 1st - Trisha Kulas (MI) dec. Ashley McCoy (MI), 8-0; 3rd - Christine Daub (MI)
89 - 1st - Kelsey Silsby (MI) pin Sarah Osness (Minn. Storm), 2:59
94 - 1st - Julie Bartley (Tappan)
Outstanding Wrestler - Trisha Kulas, Springport, Mich., 73 lbs.
Group 1 (8 and under)
37 - 1st - Stephanie Lang (Tappan) pin Katlyn Peiffer (MI), 0:20
46 - 1st - Shelby Shirley (Monster Squad) pin Brie Rosencrants (MI), 0:22; 3rd - Cathy Gould (MI)
56 - 1st - Sesiley Houser (MI) dec, Karryssa Toliver (VA), 11-7; 3rd - Kayla Kipp (Razorback)
75 - 1st - Hannah Bloom (TNT) dec. Sara Tausch (X-Men), 3-2; 3rd - Tiffany McCoy (MI)
Outstanding Wrestler - Shelby Shirley (Monster Squad), 46 lbs.