Magnussen named Outstanding Wrestler at Skyline College Invitational

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
10/20/1997


Grace Magnussen (Walnut Creek, Calif./Team Ichiban) won the 123-pound title and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the Skyline College Invitational for Women in San Bruno, Calif., Oct. 11. 

Magnussen won both of her matches in the tournament, stopping runner-up Hazel Vera (San Bruno, Calif./Peninsula Grapplers) by fall in 1:38, and beating Julietta Kliford-Okot (San Bruno, Calif./Peninsula Grapplers) by a 3-1 margin.

Magnussen attends Diablo Valley College, and is currently ranked No. 5 in the United States at 123.25 pounds.

The other two champions at the tournament are considered among the best female wrestlers in the nation: Marie Ziegler (Pleasant Hills, Calif/Team Ichiban) at 112 pounds and Diana Wesendunk (Hillsborough, Calif./Peninsula Grapplers) at 132 pounds.

Zeigler won two matches in the tournament by pin, stopping Melissa Minjarez (Mustang WC) in 2:30 and Haydee Navaro (San Bruno, Calif./Peninsula Grapplers) in 1:05.

Ziegler was a World silver medalist in 1990 and 1991, and competed on four U.S. World teams. She is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation at 112.25 pounds.

Wesendunk pinned Olga Lara (Daly City, Calif./Peninsula Grapplers) in 2:24 to claim the gold medal. Lara was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the 1996-97 season.

Wesendunk has competed on three U.S. World Teams, and has won the U.S. Nationals four times. She is currently ranked No. 3 in the U.S. at 136.5 pounds.

SKYLINE COLLEGE INVITATIONAL at San Bruno, Calif., Oct. 11

Final results

112 - 1st - Marie Ziegler (Team Ichiban); 2nd - Melissa Minjarez (Mustang WC); 3rd - Haydee Navaro (Peninsula Grapplers)

123 - 1st - Grace Magnussen (Team Ichiban); 2nd - Hazel Vera (Peninsula Grapplers); 3rd - Julieta Kliford-Okot (Peninsula Grapplers)

132 - 1st - Diana Wesendunk (Peninsula Grapplers); 2nd - Olga Lara (Peninsula Grapplers)