New faces, both athletes and coaches, excellent competition and a superbly run tournament are some of the highlights of this years National Wrestling Championships.The 1998 USABA National Wrestling Championships were held March 28th. Wrestlers and coaches from Alabama, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, West Virginia, New Mexico, Tennessee, Wisconsin, North Carolina, were in attendance.
Roger Sanders, wrestling coordinator for USABA, described this year's competition as "the best and most intense" he has seen since he has been involved in the program .
Alabama, with six championships, claimed the Junior Division Championship for coach Jack Klein. Missouri, with 28 points, won the Men's Open division in a very close race followed by Alabama and Indiana. The team from Alabama won the Women's Open division.
The Outstanding Wrestler for each division was: Women's Open: Pia Mikeal, 128 lb, from Indiana
Men's Junior: Ernest Byers, 182 lb, from New Mexico
Men's Open: Wali Salahuddin, 152lb, from North Carolina
This years tournament was highlighted by the clinic. Russ Hellickson, head coach at Ohio State, silver medalist in the Olympic Games, gave an excellent clinic to the coaches and athletes. He covered various aspects of freestyle wrestling.
Results -
WOMEN'S OPEN
Wt. Class Place Name
101 1st Amanda Norton, AL
136.5 1st Pia Mikeal, IN
149.5 1st Dorthy Ingram, AL
163 1st Jill Fulghum, AL
JUNIOR MEN'S OPEN
Wt. Class Place Name
108.83 1st Kris Scheppe, WI
114.6 1st T.J. Beasley, AL
123.46 1st Michael Powell, AL
132.38 1st Jacobs Ramos, IN
2nd Chris Shealey, AL
143.3 1st Anthony Strayham, AL
2nd Jamie Dean, WV
154.32 1st Travis Polke, AL
2nd Jeremy Harper, AR
3rd James Aldridge, AL
167.55 1st Ron Garrett, TN
2nd Nick Iaria, IN
3rd Jed Moss, WI
182.9 1st Ernest Byers, NM
2nd Jad Wauthier, TN
3rd Antonio Richardson, AL
198.4 1st Tim Jackson, AL
253.5 1st Ben Payne, AL
SENIOR MEN'S OPEN
Wt. Class Place Name
138.88 1st Jacob Ramos, IN
2nd Jamie Dean, WV
152.11 1st Wali Salahuddin, NC
2nd Jeremy Harper, AR
3rd Corey Watson, MI
167.54 1st Ryan Smith, TN
2nd Trameil Jackson, MI
3rd Todd Smith, AL
187.39 1st Chris Davis, AL
213.8 1st Antonio Ellis, AL
2nd Michael Pryor, IN
3rd William Dean, AL
275.57 1st George Harris, MO
TEAM POINTS - PER WEIGHT CLASS AND TOTAL
Junior Men's Division:
Alabama: 12pts,(114.64lb) 12,(123.46) 9,(132.28) 12,(143.3) 12,(154.32) 7,(182.98) 12,(198.41) 12,(253.53) TOTAL 88 points
Arkansas: 9,(154.32) TOTAL 9 points
Michigan: 9,(143.3) TOTAL 9 points
New Mexico: 12,(182.98) TOTAL points
Tennessee: 12,(167.55), 9,(182.98) TOTAL 21 points
Wisconsin: 12,(108.83), 7,(167.55) 4,(182.98) TOTAL 23 points
Men's Open Division:
Alabama: 7,(167.54) 12,(187.39) 7,(213.84) TOTAL 26 points
Indiana: 12,(133.88) 4,(167.54) 9,(213.84) TOTAL 25 points
Missouri: 7,(152.11) 9,(167.54) 12,(275.57) TOTAL 28 points
North Carolina: 12,(152.11) TOTAL 12 points
Tennessee: 12,(187.39) TOTAL 12 points
The 1999 Nationals will be held in Indiana on the same corresponding weekend.