Women’s freestyle teams weigh-in; receive pool draws for inaugural Pan American Games competition

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
08/04/2003


Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Some of the top women's freestyle wrestlers in the world have weighed-in and received their draws for the Pan American Games. This will mark the first time that women's wrestling has ever been featured at this event.    The U.S. squad includes three World silver medalists: Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.    Miranda, a 2000 World silver medalist, will face Flor Quispe of Peru in pool competition. Miranda defeated Quispe 10-0 at the Pan American Championships in Guatemela City, Guatemala in March.    In the other pool is Lyndsay Belisle of Canada, a two-time fourth-place finisher at the World Championships. Belisle defeated Miranda 3-1 at the Pan American Championships.    George, a World silver medalist last year, is matched up with Tonya Verbeek of Canada in her pool. Verbeek downed George 10-7 at the Pan American Championships earlier this year.    George's weight is the only one with more than eight competitors, meaning there will be repechage matches, making it very possible to lose one match and still win a gold medal.    Montgomery was a World silver medalist in 2001. Montgomery will face Yasmili Ramos of Venezuela in pool competition, an opponent she pinned at the Pan American Championships.    In the other pool at Montgomery's weight is Ohenewa Akkufo of Canada. Montgomery is 4-1 this year against Akkufo, but the Canadian defeated Montgomery in their last meeting.    Also competing for the U.S. is Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. McMann, a three-time U.S. Nationals champion, will face Xiomara Guevara of Venezuela, a 1992 World Champion,  in pool competition.    Only the four Olympic weight classes will be competed at the Pan American Games in an attempt to be in accordance with the Olympic programme.    Women's freestyle competition will take place on Tuesday, August 5 at the Pebellon de Combate in the Olympic Park in Santo Domingo. Pool competition will begin at 10:00 a.m. (EST) and medal matches will begin at 5:00 p.m.    For complete coverage, bio information and results of the Pan American Games wrestling competitions, log in to www.themat.com/specialevents/2003/PanAm/default.asp .    U.S. Women's Pan American Games Team  48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)  55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)  63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)  72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (Cumberland College)  Coach: Tricia Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz.