Three wrestlers swept their best-of-three series to claim the Women's Special Wrestle-off at their weight class, and qualify for the U.S. team at the World Championships. Winning their series in two straight matches were Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. The Special Wrestle-offs were held at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., Tuesday, July 29. The winners of the Special Wrestle-Offs will represent the United States at the 2003 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling in New York City, September 12-14. Wong, the World Team Trials champion, defeated challenger Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) in two straight matches. She won the first match 7-6 in overtime. She captured the second match, 9-0. In the first match, Wong jumped to an early 6-0 lead on two takedowns and two turns. Chun hit a three-point arm throw at the end of the first period to close the margin to 6-3. In the second period, Chun scored another three-point arm throw to tie the bout at 6-6, which was the score at the end of regulation. In overtime, Chun attempted another arm throw, which Wong countered and then got behind for the winning takedown after 47 seconds. In the second match, Wong again jumped to a 6-0 lead, which was the score at the mid break. However, in the second period, Wong kept up the pressure and did not allow Chun to score, and added three points in the final 20 seconds to make it a 9-0 final score. Chun had placed third at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and moved up in weight for the challenge. "I just lost my focus in the first match and walked into her too much," said Wong. "My corner coaches and friends helped me during the break between the matches. They helped me straighten out my problems technically and to re-focus after a not very good first match." "I knew I was bigger (than Chun), but she has good shots and is very quick. I also knew she had a low stance, so I had to prepare for that," Wong said. Wong will be competing in her first World Championships. She won the World Team Trials in 2002 as well, but was defeated in a Special Wrestle-off by Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) for the World team position. Wong is originally from Woodbury, Minn. She competed at Lock Haven Univ. before coming to Colorado Springs to join the USOTC resident program. Roberts, the challenger in match, defeated World Team Trials champion Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 8-3 and by injury default. Tomeo was unable to wrestle in the second match, after suffering a concussion during the morning session. In the first match, Roberts got an early lead, but Tomeo kept the match close. With Roberts leading 4-3 in the final 10 seconds, Roberts put the match away with a hip toss throw. Roberts placed third at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. at the World Team Trials and dropped weight to challenge Tomeo. Roberts had to beat Marcie Van Dusen in a challenge match, 6-3, on Monday to earn the chance to face Tomeo today. Roberts will also be competing in her first World Championships. "I didn't know (about the injury default) until they came up and told me before the match," said Roberts. "I am still in a little shock that she had to forfeit. My first match was great. I kept good head position and defended her shots well. I was smart and confident. I wasn't nervous. I wrestled exactly how I needed to." Roberts is originally from Federal Way, Wash. She attended Pacific Univ. and the Univ. of Minnesota-Morris before becoming a USOTC resident athlete. Marano, the challenger at her division, defeated World Team Trials champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), in two straight matches, 4-0 and 5-3. In the first match, Marano scored a throw off the clinch position then held her opponent on her back for almost three minutes. The first period ended scoreless, and the athletes were placed in the clinch. Marano took Downing to her back quickly with a three-point bodylock, received an additional back point, then held her on her back until the period ended. In the second match, Marano held a 3-1 lead after the first period. The athletes each scored two points during an active exchange from their feet during the second period, making the final score 5-3. Marano placed second at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. at the World Team Trials, and moved up in weight to challenge Downing. Last year, Marano won a Special Wrestle-off at this weight class against Downing, and went on to win a bronze medal at the 2002 World Championships. This will be the seventh World Championships that Marano will attend. She has won six World medals during her career, the most of any U.S. women's wrestler. Marano was a World Champion in 2000. "I wrestled pretty good," said Marano. "I have been trying to figure out what my style is. It has been difficult for me, but I'm getting closer to it. I am not allowing myself to make so many mistakes in matches. I am concentrating on good position." Marano is originally from Albany, N.Y. By winning the Special Wrestle-off, she will have a chance to compete in her home state at the World Championships. "I am really, really excited," said Marano. "I am bummed I didn't make the team at an Olympic weight, though. My home is between an hour and a half and two hours from the World Championships, and I will have a lot of people there watching me." Medalists at the Olympic weight classes have a right to challenge for the U.S. World Team spot in a Special Wrestle-off at the three non-Olympic weights. This year, there was a Special Wrestle-off at all three non-Olympic weights. The outcome of this Special Wrestle-off did not change the Team USA rankings as determined at the World Team Trials, nor the national team support funding that was earned through the placements at the World Team Trials. This Special Wrestle-off only determines the U.S. team members for the 2003 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling. SPECIAL WRESTLE-OFFS FOR U.S WOMEN'S WORLD TEAM at Colorado Springs, Colo., July 29, 2003 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Clarrisa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 7-6, ot, 6:47 and 9-0 Wong wins series, two matches to none 59 kg/130 lbs. Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) dec. Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 8-3 and by injury default in 0:00 Roberts wins series, two matches to none. 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec. Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 4-0 and 5-3. Marano wins series, two matches to none Winners qualify for the U.S. team that will compete at the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling in New York City, Sept. 12-14. MATCH SUMMARIES 51 kg/112.25 lbs. MATCH ONE Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Clarrisa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 7-6, ot, 6:47 1st period Wong, 1 pt. Spin behind takedown, 2:39 left, 1-0 Wong Wong, 2 pt. Gut wrench, 2:31, 3-0 Wong Wong, 1 pt. Takedown, 1:39, 4-0 Wong Wong, 2 pt. Tilt exposure, 1:20, 6-0 Wong Chun, 3 pt. Arm throw, 1:01, 6-3 Wong 2nd period Chun, 3 pt. Arm throw, 2:15 left, 6-6 tie Overtime Wong, counter spin behind takedown, 2:13 left in overtime, 7-6 Wong MATCH TWO Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Clarrisa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 9-0 1st period Wong, 1 pt. counter takedown, 2:42 left, 1-0 Wong Wong, 1 pt. counter takedown, 1:38, 2-0 Wong Wong, 2 pt. gut wrench, 1:25, 4-0 Wong Wong, 2 pt leg turn, 1:04, 6-0 Wong 2nd period Passivity against Wong, 1:39 Wong, 1 pt. spin behind takedown, 0:20, 7-0 Wong Wong, 2 pt. gut wrench, 0:12, 9-0 Wong 59 kg/130 lbs. MATCH ONE Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) dec. Erin Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 8-3 1st period Roberts, 2 pt. Crotch lift, 1:59 left, 2-0 Roberts Tomeo, 1 p