Jenkins Gathers Most Outstanding Wrestler Award In 2002 Women's University Nationals
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
05/05/2002
Evanston, Ill.- For the fifth consecutive year, women's freestyle wrestling was showcased at the 2002 University Nationals, but for the first time, a member of the U.S. Marines women's team captured an individual title. Miriam Jenkins (48 kg) earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors after she breezed through her weight class on Saturday afternoon. Jenkins won by technical fall over Liz Short (Minnesota-Morris) in the first round before disposing of Mary Kelly (Dave Schultz WC), 9-5. In the final, Jenkins locked up a cradle in the first period, and held Kelly on her back for the final 40 seconds of the period to take a 6-5 lead. In the second period, she used a gut wrench to pad her lead before coming away with the win. Tina George-Wilson (U.S. Army), who has won three of the four previous Most Outstanding Wrestler awards, swept through the 55 kg weight class with a pin and technical fall. The win gave George-Wilson her fourth individual title in five years. At 51 kg, Danielle Hobeika (Dave Schultz WC), captured her first individual title after recording a first-period pin over Kera Pemberton (Neosho) and a 4-1 decision over Katrina Betts (Minnesota Storm). Sara McMann (Sunkist Kids WC) won her third University Nationals title after registering two technical fall victories in round-robin competition at 63 kg. In action at 67 kg, two-time champion Kristie Stenglein (Marano) dropped her first match in a best two-out-of-three series against Katie Downing (Minnesota-Morris), but came back to win the final two matches, 8-1 and 4-3. The wins gave Stenglein her first title since 1999. Iris Smith (U.S. Army), a two-time returning champion, ran away with an individual title as well, winning twice by technical fall in round-robin competition. Cathilee Albert (Black Knight) and Alicia Wilson (Minnesota Storm), at 59 kg and 77 kg respectively, won individual titles by default, as they were the only registered wrestlers in their weight classes.