UM-MORRIS WOMEN WRESTLERS CLAIM FOUR INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS AT THE BISON INTERNATIONAL IN WINNIPEG, MANITOBAWinnipeg, Manitoba - The University of Minnesota-Morris Women's wrestling team crowned four individual champions at the Bison International freestyle wrestling tournament on Saturday January 31st in Winnipeg.
The Cougar women returned with nine medalists; four champions, four silver medalists and one bronze medalist. Winning titles for UM-Morris were Kim Avery at 46 kilos, Tina George at 56 kilos, Nina Vernon at 68 kilos and Dominique Smalley at 75 kilos.
Kim Avery defeated teammate Beth Suppa in the finals at 46 kilos by fall at 1:57. Suppa and Avery have met numerous times this year, but this was Avery's first win over Suppa this season.
Tina George won her third individual title this season at the Bison Internatinal. George won three matches in route to the title at 56 kilos. George defeated teammates Cassie Inman with a fall in 0:57 and downed Crystal Metz with a 6-0 decision. In her final match, George pinned Alanna Kohut of the University of Manitoba with a fall in just 0:15 with a touch fall off a double leg takedown. George has had an outstanding rookie season notching a 19-3 record.
In the 68 kilo weight division, Nina Vernon captured the title by pinning both of her opponents. Vernon pinned Vanessa Miller of the University of Manitoba in 2:18 and then tore into Lisa Bethke of the Tartan Wrestling Club with another fall in 1:09. Vernon has won four individual titles this season to go along with an 11-1 record.
Dominique Smalley claimed the fourth and final championship title for the Cougars. Smalley won the 75 kilo weight class winning three matches in the tournament. Smalley won a 9-1 decision over Anada Grassick of the University of Calgary, then pinned Hannah Cain of Lakehead University in 0:30 to advance to the finals. In the finals, Roxanna Churco of the University of Yorkton University was no match for Smalley's offensive attack as Smalley rolled up a quick 9-0 lead before pinning Churco at 1:02. Smalley is also off to a great season with a 10-4 record and three individual titles to her credit this season.
Amiee McNab placed second in the 51 kilo weight class, ending the day with a 2-1 performance. McNab's only loss came to three-time Canadian World Team Member Erica Sharpe of the University of Calgary. Cougar Jen Teske placed third at 51 kilos.
Kristy Jeffrey finished in second place to Trish Leibel of the University of Calgary at 62 kilos. Jeffrey was pinned in the finals at 2:04. Cassie Inman placed second at 56 kilos. Inman posted a 2-1 record, her only loss going to teammate and champion Tina George.
After almost a two month layoff from competition, the UM-Morris women wrestlers dominated the field against their northern neighbors. "It was a good competition for us," said UMM coach Doug Reese. "All the Canadian colleges have women's wrestling programs. It was a great opportunity for us to head into Canada to open some new doors and create some new releationships in the sport. We opened some eyes with our performance on the mat and with the size of our team as well. It was fun to wrestle and gain some respect against other collegiate programs that have been wrestling much longer than we have," said Reese.
BISON INTERNATIONAL at Winnipeg, Canada, Feb. 2
46 kg - 1st - Kim Avery (UM-Morris) pin Beth Suppa (UM-Morris), 1:57
51 kg - 1st - Erica Sharpe (U of Calgary) pin Aimee McNab (UM-Morris), 3:10; 3rd - Jen Teske (UM-Morris) dec. Emily Gulbrandson (UM-Morris), 7-3
56 kg - 1st - Tina George (UM-Morris) pin Cassie Inman (UM-Morris), 0:57; 3rd - Alanna Kohnut (U of Manitoba) dec. Crystal Metz (UM-Morris), 9-1
62 kg - 1st - Trish Leibel (U of Calgary) pin Kristy Jeffrey (UM-Morris), 2:04
68 kg - 1st - Nina Vernon (UM-Morris) pin Vanessa Miller (U of Manitoba), 2:18; 3rd - Lisa Bethke (Tartan WC)
75 kg - 1st - Dominique Smalley (UM-Morris) pin Roxana Churco (Yorkton Univ.), 1:02; 3rd - Anada Grassick (U of Calgary) won by forfeit over Hannah Cain (Lakehead Univ).