U.S. Nationals preview at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. in women's freestyle wrestling

<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
04/06/2004


As a non-Olympic weight class, this division could see many athletes move up or down in weight this season. Nobody expects World Champion Kristie Marano to compete here, as she is making a run at 63 kg again. Marano has only moved up to this weight class after the World Team Trials, which she lost. USA Wrestling has had a provision that the medalists at the Olympic weights could challenge for a spot on the World Team     The winner of the last two World Team Trials here is Katie Downing, a veteran star who has been competing at 72 kg so far this year. Marano defeated Downing in the Special Wrestle-off the last two years. Downing owns a Junior World medal and a U.S. Nationals title and has many years of success on the Senior circuit.    No. 2 Kaci Lyle has been wrestling down at 63 kg. No. 3 Stephany Lee, an exciting college star, has been beating top wrestlers up at 72 kg. Any of these who choose to stay at 67 kg will be a title favorite. Just don't expect it, since the athletes have been at the other weight divisions already.    2003 Junior World champion Ali Bernard has a great future on the Senior level and could make her first big news there at this year's U.S. Nationals. However, Bernard was injured during her boys high school season and has not done much wrestling recently. Another high school talent, Heather Martin, has also shown the skills to beat top wrestlers of all ages. Martin won the gold medal at the recent FILA Junior National Championships    Cindy Herceg and Mollie Keith have both been National Team members at this division. Keith has been spending time down at 63 kg during her season at Missouri Valley College, but most recently won the University Nationals at 67 kg. Herceg has not been active during the winter season, but always seems ready when U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials.    Perhaps the top college wrestler this year has been Kelly Branham of Missouri Valley College. She won the Women 's College Nationals and the Lady Oaks Open, and has silver medals from the Sunkist Kids International and the Dave Schultz Memorial.  However, she has suffered a number of losses, some to U.S. athletes and some to Canadian wrestlers. She should be a factor, regardless of how many athletes change weights this year.     Randi Miller has experience at this division and should be in the mix. Brandy Golt has recently returned to the mats and has had some solid performances. Ashley Sword, who has been training in Colorado Springs, has also competed at this division lately, although her plan is to drop back down to 63 kg. Former National Team member Malissa Sherwood was in this division at the Dave Schultz Memorial, but she has competed at lower weights her whole career so she may drop down for the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials.    When competing at this division, Jamie Alvasteffer has been competitive. High school wrestler Nikia Jensen has been at this division and may have the skills to compete with the older athletes. Lisa Bisers has been a national medalist at this weight two different years, but does not seem to wrestle on the national level much beyond the U.S. Nationals. Sherri Hilliard, a college freshman, should also be one of the wrestlers in the field capable of winning some matches.     Like the other women's Olympic divisions, this year's All-Americans will be determined as much by who is here as by their past achievements. An athlete could get on a roll and rise high in the standings. It is safe to assume that there will be many defections to other weight classes. Experienced athletes who choose to wrestle at this weight have a great opportunity for a high placement, as well as a spot in the Olympic Trials with a top four finish.    THEMAT.COM RANKINGS FOR APRIL 2004  67 kg (147.5 lbs.) in women's freestyle  1. Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)  2. Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (All-American WC)  3. Cindy Herceg, Los Angeles, Calif. (Spartak)  4. Kelly Branham, Apache Junction, Ariz. (Missouri Valley)  5. Brandy Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (Missouri Valley)  6. Ashley Sword, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)  7. Malissa Sherwood, Bates City, Mo. (Stars and Stripes)  8. Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (MacMurray College)  9. Nikia Jensen, Eden Prairie, Minn. (unattached)  10. Sherri Hilliard, Devils Lake, N.D. (Cumberland College)