Twenty-two champions crowned at the 2001 Sunkist Open

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Heather Van Peursem (USA Wrestling)
10/28/2001


Competition at the 17th annual Sunkist Kids/ASU Open wrapped up this afternoon with 22 champions crowned.     The Men's Freestyle category offered up exciting final bouts, with the United States capturing five titles, while Canada came away with two champions.    At 54 kg., 2001 World Team member Stephan Abas (USA) won with a 4-0 decision over Alexis Vila (USA).     Saelo Azarbayjami (CAN) took home the title at 58 kg. with a tech fall Evan Larkin (USA), 12-2 in 4:10.    At 63 kg. Eric Larkin (USA) won a close decision 5-4 over Jamill Kelly (USA).    2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Daniel Igali (CAN) also took the Sunkist gold with an overtime fall over 2001 World Team member Chris Bono (USA) in 6:08.    At 76 kg. Donny Pritzlaff (USA) captured the top prize with a decisive win over Wade Elliot (CAN), 7-0.    Randy Pugh (USA) also took top honors in the 85 kg. weight class with a 4-2 decision over Aaron Simpson (USA).    At 97 kg. Daniel Cormier (USA) claimed the gold with a fall over Dean Schmeichel (CAN) in 2:36.    Tolly Thompson (USA) was the champion at 130 kg. with a tech fall Kellan Fluckinger (USA), 10-0 in 2:07.    The Greco-Roman wrestlers also offered up some intense finals matches, with a much-anticipated matchup between Jim Gruenwald and Dennis Hall at 58 kg.    In a tough-fought battle, Dennis Hall (USA) captured the title with a 5-0 overtime decision over 2001 World Team member James Gruenwald (USA).    At 54 kg.  Michael Santos (USA) captured top prize with an 8-4 decision over Brady Jones (USA).    Darnell Lollis (USA), who wrestled back following a first round loss to his finals opponent, took the title at 63 kg. with an 8-5 overtime decision over James Shillow (USA).    Faruk Sahin (USA) captured the gold at 76 kg. with a tech fall Brian Van Hoven (USA), 10-0 in 2:20.    At 76 kg., TC Danzler (USA) was the champion with a decisive 10-3 decision over Kenneth Cook (USA).    Brad Vering (USA) took home the top prize at 85 kg. with a 3-2 overtime decision over . Aaron Sieracki (USA).    At 97 kg. Ross Thatcher (USA) was the winner by injury default over Sean Hage (USA).    Because of a limited pool the 130 kg. weight class was wrestled round-robin, with the champion, Brian Keck (USA), being determined by total technical points.    U.S Women wrestlers captured four of six Sunkist titles this year.    At 46 kg. , Clarissa Chun (USA) took top prize with a 4-0 decision over Katrina Betts (USA).    Canada's Lyndsay Belisle (CAN) won the title at 51 kg. with a 5-0 decision over 2001 World Team member Stephanie Murata (USA).    Erica Sharp (CAN) was the champion at 56 kg. with a 3-1 overtime decision over Tonya Verbeck (CAN).    At 62 kg. 2001 World Team member Sara McMann (USA) claimed the championships with a tech fall over Tonya Evinger (USA), 10-0 in 1:37.    2001 World Team member Toccara Montgomery (USA) also was crowned a champion at 68 kg. with a fall over Christine Nordhagen (CAN) in 2:34.    At 75 kg. Jenna Parlik (USA) took top billing with a 9-0 decision over. Elana Mena (USA).