SAUNDERS, BERUBE, BACHER WIN ASICS OREGON CLASSIC WOMEN¹S DIVISION TITLES IN CORVALLIS, ORE., DEC. 29Three of the top U.S. women wrestlers in the nation claimed gold medals at the ASICS Oregon Wrestling Classic in Corvallis, Ore., on Monday, Dec. 29.
The U.S. champions were Tricia Saunders (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 100 pounds, Jackie Berube (Evanston, Ill./Wildcat WC) at 121 pounds and Sandra Bacher (San Jose, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 167 pounds. All three are former World medalists.
Saunders, a two-time World Champion, was competing in her first wrestling event in over a year. She did not wrestle in the 1997 season due to injury and the birth of her second child.
Saunders stopped Arielle Bradbury (Montesano, Wash.) in the finals in a 10-0 technical fall.
Berube, a 1996 World silver medalist, pinned Shelly Morton (Burnaby, B.C., Canada) in the finals in 50 seconds. It was her second career ASICS Oregon Wrestling Classic title.
Bacher, a 1997 World silver medalist, won a 4-1 decision over Shannon Sanler (N. Vancouver, B.C., Canada) in the championship finals. Bacher was also a member of the 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic judo teams.
Trish Leibel (Calgary, Alb., Canada) was the Outstanding Wrestler, after capturing the 147-pound title. Other champions were Nicole Gal (Kelowna) at 115 pounds, Julieta Okot (San Francisco, Calif./Peninsula Grapplers) at 127 pounds and Malisa Kindratasky (Port Alberni, B.C., Canada) at 131.5 pounds.
It was the third year that a women¹s competition has been held at the ASICS Oregon Classic. A record 88 female athletes entered the 1997 tournament, which featured competition on the Midget, Novice, Schoolgirl, Cadet, Junior and Open levels.
ASICS OREGON WRESTLING CLASSIC at Corvallis, Ore., Dec. 29
Women¹s Open Division medalists
100 - 1st - Tricia Saunders (Sunkist Kids); 2nd - Arielle Bradbury (WA)
115 - 1st - Nicole Gal (Kelowna); 2nd - Julie Gonzales (Peninsula Grapplers); 3rd - Shawna Hodges (Skyline CC)
121 - 1st - Jackie Berube (Wildcat WC); 2nd - Shelly Morton (Burnaby, Canada); 3rd - Haydee Navarro (Peninsula Grapplers)
127 - 1st - Julieta Okot (Peninsula Grapplers); 2nd - Emily Richardson (N. Vancouver, Canada); 3rd - Olga Lara (Peninsula Grapplers)
131.5 - 1st - Malisa Kindratsky (Port Alberni, Canada); 2nd - Kristen McFee (N. Vancouver, Canada); 3rd - Hazel Vera (Peninsula Grapplers)
147 - 1st - Trish Leibel (Calgary, Canada); 2nd - Jasmine Dowker (Courtenay); 3rd - Jane Hofwever (Burnaby, Canada)
167 - 1st - Sandra Bacher (Dave Schultz WC); 2nd - Shannon Sanler (N. Vancouver, Canada); 3rd - Amanda Grassick (Calgary, Canada)