Simon Fraser takes Women’s International Collegiate Duals, as final round win over Cumberland determ
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Blake Timm (Pacific Univ.)
02/15/2004
FOREST GROVE - It came down to the final dual of the day, but in the end the No. 1 team in North America got the better of the No. 1 team in the United States in the 2004 Women's International Collegiate Duals, Saturday at the Pacific Athletic Center. Simon Fraser took home the championship plaque Saturday by handing Cumberland their first loss of the tourney in an exciting 21-11 dual. The Clan, who had lost their first dual of the season the day before to Missouri Valley, used two pins to pace the victory. The Clan, Patriots and Vikings finished with 3-1 records in the tournament, with the Clan winning based on criteria. Pacific finished fourth with a 1-3 record and Douglas finished fifth at 0-5. Wins for both teams in the fourth round set up the drama for the fifth round showdown. SFU established themselves early with wins in the first two weights, including a second round pin by Kathleen Takeda at 105.5. Suekoila Shelly gave Cumberland their first win with a 3-1 decision of Jessica Peterson at 121, but the Clan rolled to win four of the last five matches. The key victory came when Emily Richardson, wrestling up one weight, fought to a second round pin of Alana Berube. Toccara Montgomery came up with pins of each of her Saturday opponents, scoring a second round pin of Pacific's Shelly Graff and a first round pin of SFU's Kristina Wolff. Missouri Valley received three pins in their only dual of the day against the host Boxers from Brooke Brogen, Kelly Branham and Stephany Lee. Pacific saw tough performances from its two lightweights. Kristin Fujioka (Jr., Kaneohe, Hawaii) went 2-0 at the 105.5-pound class with an 11-9 decision of Cumberland's Aquilla Hills and an 11-0 technical fall over Missouri Valley's Angelee Homma. Kapua Torres (Fr. Kahuku, Hawaii), ranked No.2 at 112.25 pounds, scored a 12-5 upset of No. 1 ranked Lauren Lindsey of Cumberland, 12-5, and pinned No. 3 ranked Debbi Sakai of Missouri Valley. On day one of the event, Cumberland College leaped out to the lead, winning both of their matches in the dual tournament at the Pacific Athletic Center. The No.1 ranked team in the United States went 2-0 with a 19-5 win over Douglas in their first dual of the day, then amassed 19 points again to put a 19-13 stop on Missouri Valley. The Patriots scored seven pins on the afternoon, including five against the Vikings. The Vikings finished the first day in second place with a 2-1 record. Pacific and Simon Fraser both finished tied 1-1 and Douglas finished the afternoon 0-3. Simon Fraser, the No. 1 ranked team in North America, suffered their first dual loss this season in 13 tries in their close second round match with Missouri Valley. The Clan led 12-10 after the first five matches, but the Vikings' Kelly Branham and Stephany Lee both scored victories by fall, and Missouri Valley won two of the last three matches. The pins proved to be the difference, though, breaking a 16-16 tie to give the Vikings a win by criteria. The host Boxers lost every match in their opener with the Clan with the exception of a forfeit at 158.5-pounds in a 26-7 lost. Pacific rebounded in the third round, using a pin by Kristin Fujioka (Jr., Kaneohe, Hawaii) and a win by decision from Desireé Lockhart (Jr., Port Townsend, Wash.) to pace a 17-15 victory.