Sandra Bacher (San Jose, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) has been named the 1997 Women's Wrestler of the Year by USA Wrestling. It is the first time that Bacher has received this prestigious award. 
 Bacher won a silver medal at the 1997 Women's World Wrestling Championships at 149.5 pounds in Clermont-Ferrand, France in July. She was one of three U.S. World silver medalists, leading the U.S. team to a third place finish, its best finish ever at the World Championships. 
 Bacher placed second in 1997 Pan American Championships in San Juan, Puerto, Rico in May. Her only losses in the World Championships and Pan American Championships were to three-time World Champion Christine Nordhagen of Canada. 
 Bacher made her third straight U.S. World Team, by winning a Special Wrestle-off against Sheri Belew-Kennedy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in July. She also claimed a gold medal at the 1997 U.S. Nationals Championships in Orlando, Fla. in April, her second career national title.  
 Among her other achievements was a bronze medal at the 1997 Gilbert Schaub Open in France in February, and a gold medal at the Asics Oregon Classic in Corvallis, Ore. in December. 
 Bacher is also a World class judo athlete. She was a member of the 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic judo teams. Bacher is a member of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club. She attended San Jose State University and attended Franklin High School in Washington. She works as a substitute teachers aid. 
 She also was named the 1997 USOC WomenÕs Freestyle Wrestler of the Year.  
 PAST WOMEN'S WRESTLER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS 
 1997 - Sandra Bacher, San Jose, Calif., Dave Schultz WC 
 1996 - Tricia Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids 
 1995 - Vickie Zummo, Hamburg, N.J., New York AC 
 1994 - Shannon Williams, Ontario, Calif., Sunkist Kids 
 1993 - Tricia Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids