Outstanding U.S. wrestlers to compete in 2003 Dave Schultz Memorial International Wrestling Tourname

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Janessa Pierce (USA Wrestling)
01/30/2003


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On February 8-9, top wrestlers from all over the world will be competing in men's freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's freestyle in the fifth annual Dave Schultz Memorial International Tournament. This tournament will be hosted in Sports Center 1 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson anticipates this "outstanding international event." "USA Wrestling has worked very hard to bring such a great level of competition to this event,"said Jackson. "It is a level of competition we normally would have to go overseas to find." Because this event is an open tournament and athletes do not have to pre-register, an exact U.S. roster cannot be determined. However, many of the top U.S. wrestlers are expected to participate. This list includes some Olympic medalists and World Champions. "This is going to be a great tournament to kick off the season. We will be looking to refine our skills and see where we are. The key for us is to get experience," said USA Wrestling National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser. USA Wrestling National Women's Coach Terry Steiner is expecting a good showing from international teams as well as from Americans. "This should be a good international tournament, with good foreign teams and individuals. There is going to be a high quality of American wrestlers here as well," Steiner said. "This tournament is going to show us what we need to work on between now and U.S. Nationals." Overall, the United States performed exceptionally well in the 2002 Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament, capturing 15 out of a possible 21 gold medals. Returning 2002 Dave Schultz champions for the United States include freestyle competitors Jason Kutz (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 60kg/132 lbs. and Donny Pritzlaff (Madison, Wis./Dave Schutlz WC) at 74 kg/163 lbs.; Greco-Roman wrestler Jim Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs.; and women wrestlers Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. The following star athletes are expected to compete in the fifth annual Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament, along with numerous other U.S. wrestlers. Greco-Roman Division 55 kg/121 lbs. - Brandon Paulson (2000 and 2002 U.S. National Champion, 1996 Olympic silver medalist, 2001 World silver medalist) 60 kg/132 lbs. - James Gruenwald (2002 World Cup Champion) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Kevin Bracken (2000-02 U.S. National Champion, 2001 World Cup silver medalist, 1996 World Cup Champion) 84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering (Fifth in 2002 World Championships) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Rulon Gardner (2000 Olympic gold medalist, 2001 World Champion) Freestyle Division 55 kg/121 lbs. - Sammie Henson (1998 World Champion, 2000 Olympic silver medalist) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Bill Zadick (2001-02 U.S. National Champion) 84 kg/185 lbs. - Brandon Eggum (2001 World silver medalist) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Tim Hartung (2002 U.S. National Champion) Women's Division 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda (2002 Pan-Am Champion, 2002 U.S. National Champion, 2000 World silver medalist) 51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong (2002 U.S. National Champion) 55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George (2002 World silver medalist, 2002 Pan-Am Champion, 2001-02 U.S. National Champion) 55 kg/121 lbs. - Stephanie Murata (1996-2002 U.S. National Champion, 2001 World silver medalist) 59 kg/130 lbs. - Lauren Lamb (1990, 1995, 1997-2002 U.S. National Champion) 63 kg/138.5 lbs. - Sara McMann (2000-02 U.S. National Champion) 63 kg/138.5 lbs. - Kristie Marano (2000 World Champion) 72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery (2001-02 U.S. National Champion, 2002 Pan-Am Champion, 2001 World silver medalist) USA Wrestling has implemented a prize money system that will honor top U.S. athletes. $1,500 will be awarded to U.S. men's weight-class champions, or $1,250 to the highest U.S. men's place finisher; U.S. men's second place will receive $1,000; U.S. men's third place will receive $500. In Women's Olympic weight classes (48 kg/105.5 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and 72 kg/158.5 lbs.), the U.S. champion or the highest U.S. place finisher will receive $1,000; U.S. second place will receive $500; and U.S. third place will receive $250. In women's non-Olympic weight classes (51 kg/112 lbs., 59 kg/130 lbs. and 67 kg/147.5 lbs.) the U.S. champion or highest U.S. place finisher will receive $750 in prize money; U.S. second place will receive $250. USA Wrestling and the Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation have worked together to create the Dave Schultz Memorial International. The event honors the memory and achievements of Olympic Champion Dave Schultz, who was tragically killed in 1996. The Dave Schultz Memorial International Wrestling Tournament is proudly sponsored by Front Range Orthopaedics, Barry F. Boals' Remax Real Estate Group, Guide Travel, and Anheuser Busch. Men's freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle preliminaries will begin Saturday, February 8 at 9:00 a.m. All three styles will continue on Sunday, February 9 starting at 10:00 a.m. with semifinals. Third place matches will start at 12:00 p.m. and finals at 3:30 p.m. (Schedule is subject to change.) Tickets are available at the door. Prices are as follows: Adult all-session ticket - $15, Adult Saturday and Sunday - $8 each (or $4 per session), High school students with I.D. and senior citizens 62+ - $5 per day (or $4 per session), Youth - $2 per day, Coaches FREE with five paid wrestlers. For more information on the Dave Schultz Memorial International Wrestling Tournament, contact USA Wrestling at 719-598-8181 or visit TheMat.com.