World Team Trials preview at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. in women’s freestyle wrestling
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
College star Sara Fulp-Allen of Menlo College made a big step forward in her career by winning the U.S. Nationals title in Las Vegas, Nev. The victory gives her the top seed at the upcoming World Team Trials, as well as additional confidence going into the event. Fulp-Allen had never been in a U.S. Nationals finals before, and her highest Women’s Team USA ranking was No. 3, after taking a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials.
Fulp-Allen has had an impressive season so far, winning medals at international events and dominating the college season. She was impressive in Las Vegas, which included a number of strong victories, and a pin in the finals. Fulp-Allen has climbed the ladder of success in the age-group programs, and now has her first real chance to be on top at the Senior level.
The athletes ahead of Fulp-Allen at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials were not in Las Vegas. Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda is currently coaching, as well as handling her new role as a first-year law student. The Olympic Trials runner-up Clarissa Chun of the Gator WC has been injured and was not ready for action for the U.S. Nationals. If Chun is able to compete at the World Team Trials, she immediately becomes a favorite to win this division. Chun competed at the 2000 World Championships, and has considerable international experience. The departure of Miranda gives Chun her chance to make her mark internationally, but the injury may take away that opportunity. Reports indicate that Miranda is considering a return to the mats in the future, and Miranda dominated this division in recent years.
High school sensation Caitlyn Chase of the Gator WC had her best performance on the Senior level by qualifying for the U.S. Nationals finals, where she was pinned by Fulp-Allen. Chase qualified for the Olympic Trials last year as a high school sophomore, and has climbed rapidly her junior year. She has numerous national titles and honors on the age-group levels, and competes at all the major events. Chase was the first girl to qualify for the Illinois state high school wrestling championships, a major achievement in a state respected for its talent.
Placing a surprise third at the U.S. Nationals was Hana Askren of Santa Monica Bay, who was seeded eighth in the division in Las Vegas. Askren competes at McGill University in Canada, but had a disappointing season on the Canadian college circuit. At the U.S. Nationals, she lost to Fulp-Allen in the quarterfinals, then won four straight matches to capture the bronze medal. Askren hopes to continue her climb in the standings at the World Team Trials.
Veteran Katie Kunimoto of the Gator WC, a USOTC resident athlete, placed fourth at the U.S. Nationals. Kunimoto made Women’s Team USA up at 51 kg a few years ago, but made the move down to 48 kg for the Olympic Trials last year. She had some good performances overseas this year, but has been a bit inconsistent on the national level. Her experience and skills makes her a challenger every time she enters at this division.
Laura Felix of Cal-State Bakersfield has had a strong season on the college level, and lost to Chase in the U.S. Nationals semifinals in a tough three-period battle. She was pinned by Askren in the wrestle-backs and placed fifth, a bit disappointing for a No. 2 seed. Felix has shown the ability to win at this division, and will be looking to avenge her losses in Las Vegas with a strong showing at the World Team Trials.
This weight class could be turned upside down if any of the athletes from 51 kg decide to drop down for the World Team Trials. Two-time U.S. Nationals champion Malinda Ripley of the Sunkist Kids attempted to make the drop for Las Vegas, but weighed in at 51 kg instead and won a silver medal. It has been a few years since she made this weight, but if she goes for it again and does it, she will be among the favorites. Mary Kelly of the New York AC, who competed at 48 kg for many years, has moved up to 51 kg this year, but would also be an instant title contender if she decided to drop back down for the World Team Trials.
Rachel Holthaus of the High Flyers, a two-time Junior Nationals champion, had her best Senior-level performance by taking sixth at the U.S. Nationals this year. Holthaus reached the semifinals in Las Vegas, where she lost to Fulp-Allen. Many people expect her to continue to improve on this level, as she gains experience and strength.
The final athlete to qualify for the World Team Trials in Las Vegas, by placing seventh in this division is Liz Short of the USOEC. Short has competed for the USA internationally on the age-group levels, and can be a dangerous opponent when wrestling well. Short has the talent to move higher in the rankings.
Two other athletes enter the field in Ames by winning Regional titles, high school wrestlers Joey Miller of Oklahoma and Christina Varland of Wyoming. Miller was second at the FILA Junior Nationals this year, her first on the Senior level after a strong age-group career. Miller placed fourth at the Oklahoma state high school championships this year as a freshman, an amazing achievement in such a strong wrestling state.
For the time being, Fulp-Allen is expected to be the favorite at this division, needing only to win the best-of-three series in Ames. However, a return to the mats by Chun, or the entry of a 51 kg athlete like Ripley or Kelly, and this division could really have an amazing Challenge Tournament battle. With depth in the division from athletes like Askren, Kunimoto and Felix, there are many athletes who believe in themselves and could earn a spot in the finals series against Fulp-Allen. Whoever wins will not have the kind of experience and success on the international level that Miranda had, and will need to have rapid improvement to be a top medal hopeful at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
2005 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS AT 48 KG/105.5 LBS.
1st “Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College) pin Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Ill. (Gator WC), 0-2, 1:20
3rd “Hana Askren, Los Angles, Calif. (Santa Monica Bay) pin Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 2-0, 1:22
5th “Laura Felix, Bakersfield, Calif. (Cal-Bakersfield) dec. Rachel Holthaus, Little Falls, Minn. (High Flyers), 1-1, 3-0
7th – Liz Short, Lombard, Ill (USEOC) dec. Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (Cumberland College), 1-0, 1-0
QUALIFIERS FOR 2005 WORLD TEAM TRIALS AT 48 KG/105.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion – Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
U.S. Nationals, second place “Caitlyn Chase, Bloomingdale, Ill. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, third place “Hana Askren, Los Angeles, Calif. (Santa Monica WC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place “Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place “Laura Felix, Bakersfield, Calif. (Cal-State Bakersfield)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place “Rachael Holthaus, Little Falls, Minn. (Hi-Flyers)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place “Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC)
Rocky Mountain Regional Champion “Christina Varland, Douglas, Wyo.
Northern Plains Regional Champion “Joey Miller, Woodward, Okla. (unattached)
Olympic Team member “Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Dave Schultz WC)
Past World Team member “Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
’04 Sunkist Kids International champion “None, foreign champion
’04 NYAC Christmas Open champion “Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion “None, foreign champion
International Tour medalist (within 2 yrs) “
*’03 World Cup gold medalist “Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Dave Shultz WC)
*’05 Gilbert Schaub Open bronze medalist “Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
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