MATCH DESCRIPTION - Roberts Defeats Van Dusen in 59 kg Wrestle-off
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Ted Witulski (USA Wrestling)
07/28/2003
At 11:00 a.m. mountain time Marcie Van Dusen faced off against Sally Roberts to earn the right to challenge Erin Tomeo for the number one spot on the Women's National Team. The special wrestle-off occurred because both Van Dusen and Roberts competed at Olympic weights during the World Team Trials. USA Wrestling rules for Women allow for challenges from National Team members at Olympic weights to insure that the best wrestlers represent the United States. Van Dusen, from Lake Arrowhead California, wore the red singlet and Sally Roberts from Federal Way Washington, wore the blue. Roberts came down from the 63 kg class while Van Dusen moved up from the 55 kg class. For the first minute of the match the two wrestlers were deadlocked before Roberts was driven out of bounds by a single attempt by Van Dusen. According to a new FILA rules interpretation Roberts was placed down in par terre for being on the defensive after going out of bounds. Van Dusen was unable to score from the top position and action returned to the feet. With a little more than a minute remaining in the period Van Dusen shot again nearly scoring on a single that turned into a mat scramble. However, Roberts won the position with a crotch lift to score the first two points, and Van Dusen gained top control for a one point score. Going into the break the score remained 2-1 for Roberts. Roberts, wrestling for the Gator Club, scored a go-behind just :13 seconds into the second period and followed it up with a two point left-side gut wrench to take a 5-1 lead. With about 1:45 remaining Van Dusen won a low single takedown and immediately transitioned to an ankle lace that Roberts defended hand to hand making the score 5-3. Roberts secured the match from the down position by earning a reversal for one and running out the clock with a 6-3 win. Erin Tomeo the champion at 59 kg's from the World Team Trials will face Roberts in a best of three series tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs.