Shannon Williams (Simi Valley, Calif./Sunkist Kids) claimed the only gold medal for the U.S. women in the 1998 Pan American Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Mar. 26. 
 Williams, a five-time World silver medalist, defeated Melissa Drotar of Canada, 5-3 in the finals to claim the gold medal at 112.25 pounds. Williams, a four-time U.S. Nationals champion, won her second career Pan Am title after winning in 1993. 
 1997 World silver medalist Sandra Bacher (San Jose, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) claimed a silver medal at 149.75 pounds. Bacher lost a 6-5 decision to Shannon Samler of Canada in the finals. 
 Bacher is a two-time U.S. national champion. She was a member of the 1992 & 1996 U.S. Olympic Judo team and was named 1997 USOC Women's Wrestler of the Year. 
 Earning bronze medals for the U.S. were Afsoon Roshanzamir (Phoenix, Ariz./Peninsula Grapplers) at 101.25 pounds and Stephanie Murata (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 123.25 pounds. 
 Roshanzamir, a three-time U.S. national champion, claimed the bronze medal with a pin over Renata Ispargoli of Brazil in 1:10. Roshanzamir is a three-time U.S. national champion and a two-time World medalist. 
 Murata, the 1997 U.S. Nationals champion, lost a 6-5 overtime decision to Jennifer Ryz of Canada in the semi-finals. Murata competed in the 1997 World Championships. 
 Jimi Dawn Hornbuckle (Poteau, Okla./unattached) placed fourth at 136.5 pounds, dropping a 8-5 decision to Unlilse Hultado of Venezuela. Hornbuckle is currently ranked second in the U.S. in her weight class. 
 Two-time World silver medalist Kristie Stenglein (Albany, N.Y./ATWA) did not make weight and was unable to compete. 
 The U.S. women's team was coached by Doug Reese of Morris, Minn. 
  1998 Pan American Women's Championships 
 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Mar. 26 
 Final Results 
 46 kg/101.25 lbs. - 1st - Lyndsey Belisle, Canada; 2nd - Angeles Barraza, Mexico; 3rd - Afsoon Roshanzamir, USA 
 51 kg/112.25 lbs. - 1st - Shannon Williams, USA; 2nd - Melissa Drotar, Canada; 3rd - Wendy Izaquirre, Venezuela 
 56 kg/123.25 lbs. - 1st - Jennifer Ryz, Canada; 2nd - Olga Lugo, Venezuela; 3rd - Stephanie Murata, USA 
 62 kg/136.5 lbs. - 1st - Trish Leibel, Canada; 2nd - Amando Patino, Colombia; 3rd - Unlilse Hultado, Venezuela 
 68 kg/149.75 lbs. - 1st - Shannon Samler, Canada; 2nd - Sandra Bacher, USA 
 75 kg/165.25 lbs. - 1st - Christine Nordhagen, Canada; 2nd - Ana Borregale, Venezuela 
  U.S. Performances 
 46 kg/101.25 lbs. - Afsoon Roshanzamir, Phoeniz, Ariz., 3rd; lost dec. to Lyndsey Belisle, Canada, 8-0; dec. Angela Castellano, Venezuela, 4-1; pin Renata Ispargoli, Brazil, 1:10 
 51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Shannon Williams, Simi Valley, Calif., 1st; dec. Wendy Izaquirre, Venezuela, 3-1; dec. Melissa Drotar, Canada, 5-3 
 56 kg/123.25 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Phoenix, Ariz., 3rd; lost dec. to Jennifer Ryz, Canada, 6-5, ot 
 62 kg/136.5 lbs. - Jimi Dawn Hornbuckle, Poteau, Okla., 4th; lost dec. to Amando Patino, Colombia, 11-4; lost dec. to Unlilse Hultado, Venezuela, 8-5 
 68 kg/149.75 lbs. - Sandra Bacher, San Jose, Calif., 2nd; lost dec. to Shannon Samler, Canada, 6-5