Roberts named Outstanding Wrestler at first-ever regional Olympic Team Trials qualifier for women
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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
03/28/2004
Battleground, Wash. - World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Gator WC) was one of four women to qualify for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Wrestling following her gold-medal performance at the West Regional Olympic Team Trials Qualifier on Saturday. This was the first-ever regional Olympic qualifier for women's wrestling. The 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Wrestling will be held in Indianapolis, Ind., May 21-23. Roberts defeated Na'Tasha Umemoto (Cobra WC) 11-1 in the 63 kg/138.75 lbs. final. Roberts was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Also earning a spot in the Olympic Team Trials was three-time U.S. National Team member Danielle Hobeika (Dave Schultz WC), who defeated Tina Pihl (Colorado) 8-5 in the finals at 55 kg/121 lbs. High school star Caitlyn Chase (Illinois) won a 12-1 technical fall over Elizabeth Torres (Hawaii) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. to qualify herself for the Trials. Nina Vernon (Colorado) was the fourth woman to qualify for the Trials, defeated Crystal Mendez (Washington) 11-0 at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. The next qualifying event for the women will be the 2004 U.S. National Championships, held in Las Vegas, Nev., April 9-10.