ROSEVILLE, Calif. -- Past world medalists Afsoon Roshanzamir (Davis, Calif./unattached), Shannon Williams (Reno, Nev./Sunkist Kids) and Kristie Stenglein (Albany, N.Y./ATWA) led the list of champions at the 1997 World Team Trials held at Woodcreek High School, Saturday, June 14.The winners qualify to represent the United States at the 1997 Women's World Championships in Clermont-Ferrand, France, July 8-12.
Roshanzamir, a two-time world medalist, opened up the finals with a quick pin over Lisa Berube (Escanaba, Mich./Wildcat) in just 22 seconds. Roshanzamir claimed a spot on her fourth world team with a pin over Berube in 1:56 in the second match. Roshanzamir, the 1997 Nationals runner-up, gained the top seed at 46 kg./101.25 lbs. when 1997 Nationals champion Rosemarie Unpingco moved up a weight class to compete at 51 kg./112.25 lbs.
Williams, a three-time world silver medalist, scored a pair of 5-0 decisions over Treeva Cohee (Omaha, Neb./Edmondson YMCA) to claim the 56 kg./123.25 lb. title. Williams, the 1997 Nationals runner-up, claimed a spot on her seventh world team with the win. Williams moved to the top seed in the weight class when 1997 Nationals champion Vickie Zummo moved up to compete at 56 kg./123.25 lbs.
In the most anticipated matchup of the finals Murata defeated 1995 world bronze medalist Vickie Zummo (Hamburg, N.J.) in two straight matches. In the first match Murata scored a 3-0 overtime decision. At the end of regulation Murata controlled the match 2-0. In overtime, Murata scored a takedown to end the match and gain the edge in the best-of-three series. In the second match, Murata controlled the match from start and scored a 5-0 decision to gain a spot on her second straight world team.
1997 Nationals champion Lauren Wolfe (Okemos, Mich./Michigan WC) defeated Jimi Dawn Hornbuckle (Poteau, Okla./unattached) in two straight matches to gain a spot on her third world team. Wolfe, who placed eighth in the 1996 World Championships, scored a 6-5 decision in the first match and pinned Hornbuckle in 1:56 in match two.
Belew-Kennedy defeated Kristie Jeffery (Deland, Fla./UM-Morris) in two straight matches to gain the right to face 1997 Nationals champion Sandra Bacher in a special wrestle-off for the world team. Belew-Kennedy pinned Jeffrey in 2:11 in the first match and 1:04 in the second match
Bacher, who was unable to compete at the trials due to injury, will face Belew-Kennedy in a best-of-three series June 25 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The wrestle-off coincides with the Women's World Team training Camp held at the U.S. Olympic raining Center, June 23-July 6.
1996 World silver medalist Kristie Stenglein pinned Dominique Smalley (Iowa City, Iowa/unattached) in two straight matches to claim her second straight spot on the world team. Stenglein pinned Smalley in times of 2:21 and 1:36.
The 1997 U.S. Women's World Team will be coached by Mike Duroe of Deerfield, Ill., Doug Reese of Morris, Minn and Roye Oliver of Colorado Springs, Colo.
1997 Women's World Team Trials
Roseville, Calif., Saturday, June 14
Best-of-three series results
46 kg./101.25 lbs.
1st Match - Afsoon Roshanzamir, Davis, Calif. (unattached) pin Lisa Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (Wildcat), 0:22
2nd Match - Afsoon Roshanzamir, Davis, Calif. (unattached) pin Lisa Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (Wildcat), 1:56
51 kg./112.25 lbs.
1st Match - Shannon Williams, Reno, Nev. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Treeva Cohee, Omaha, Neb. (Edmondson YMCA), 5-0
2nd Match - Shannon Williams, Reno, Nev. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Treeva Cohee, Omaha, Neb. (Edmondson YMCA), 5-0
56 kg./123.25 lbs.
1st Match - Stephanie Murata, Phoenix, Nev. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Vickie Zummo, Hamburg, N.J. (NYAC), 3-0, ot, 6:09
2nd Match - Stephanie Murata, Phoenix, Nev. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Vickie Zummo, Hamburg, N.J. (NYAC), 5-0
62 kg./136.5 lbs.
1st Match - Lauren Wolfe, Okemos, Mich. (Michigan WC) dec. Jimi Dawn Hornbuckle, Poteau, Okla. (unattached), 6-5
2nd Match - Lauren Wolfe, Okemos, Mich. (Michigan WC) pin Jimi Dawn Hornbuckle, Poteau, Okla. (unattached), 1:07
68 kg./149.75 lbs. 1st Match - Sheri Belew-Kennedy, Chowchilla, Calif. (Chowchilla FS) pin Kristie Jeffrey, Deland, Fla. (UM-Morris), 2:11
2nd Match - Sheri Belew-Kennedy, Chowchilla, Calif. (Chowchilla FS) pin Kristie Jeffrey, Deland, Fla. (UM-Morris), 1:04
75 kg./165.25 lbs.
1st Match - Kristie Stenglein, Albany, N.Y. (ATWA) pin Dominique Smalley, Iowa City, Iowa (unattached), 2:21
2nd Match - Kristie Stenglein, Albany, N.Y. (ATWA) pin Dominique Smalley, Iowa City, Iowa (unattached), 1:36
Outstanding Wrestler: 56 kg./123.25 lbs. - Stephanie Murata, Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
National Team Wrestle-off
56 kg./123.25 lbs. - Jackie Berube, Evanston, Ill. (Wildcat) pin Cheryl Meyer, Concordia, Kan. (Kansas Grapplers), 2:27
62 kg./136.5 lbs. - Diana Wesendunk, Hillsborough, Calif. (Peninsula Grapplers) pin Olga Lara, Daly City, Calif. (Peninsula Grapplers), 2:26
68 kg./149.75 lbs. - Jennifer Cameron, Kent, Wash. (unattached) dec. Kellie Lee Hurst, St. Bernard, La. (unattached), 7-1