Pavlik named to U.S. Women's World Team as Special Wrestle-off against Macari-Montierth cancelled du

<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
11/08/2001


Jenna Pavlik (Lewes, Del.) has been named to the U.S. Women's World Team at 75 kg/165.25 lbs., and will compete at the Women's World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 22-25.    Pavlik is a freshman at Lock Haven Univ., and is a former Cadet World medalist. She was a First Team member of the 2001 TheMat.com/Asics Girls High School All-American Team.    The Special Wrestle-off between Pavlik and No. 3 ranked Melani Macari-Montierth (Fremont, Calif./Missouri Valley College), originally scheduled for Nov. 10,  has been cancelled.    Macari-Montierth, who competed for the USA at the Women's World Cup in Levallois, France, Nov. 2-3, was injured in the competition, and will not be able to participate in the Special Wrestle-off.    The spot on the U.S. World Team became available after World Team member Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) was unable to compete. Smith has joined the U.S. Army and started her basic training commitment.    Pavlik qualified for the Special Wrestle-off by winning the 75 kg/165.25 lbs. weight division at the Sunkist Kids International Open in Phoenix, Ariz., October 27-28.    "We are disappointed that Melanie is not able to compete," said Mike Duroe, coach of the U.S. Women's World Team. "As a National Team member, she would have been a good representative for our nation. She was hurt at World Cup and will not be able to compete."    "Jenna Pavlik is one of our talented up-and-coming wrestlers at that weight class," said Duroe. "Based upon her ability to win the Sunkist Kids International Open, she has shown that she is training and is ready to compete. This is a great opportunity for her. She has been very successful on the age-group levels, and I anticipate that will help her at the World Championships."    Pavlik became the third Lock Haven student to become a member of the U.S. Women's World Team. Sara McMann will compete at 62 kg/136.5 lbs. after winning the No. 1 position at the World Team Trials. Erin Tomeo won a Special Wrestle-off on Nov. 6 for the team position at 56 kg/123.25 lbs.    The World Championships of Wrestling were originally set for Sept. 26-29 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, but were postponed due to the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11. The World Championships were rescheduled by FILA on October 11, with the men's and women's freestyle event going to Sofia, Bulgaria and the men's Greco-Roman event going to Patras, Greece.