Oregon Women's Wreslting Update: July 29, 2002

July 18:

The Candian National Junior Women's Team concluded a
great nationals workout camp here in Portland on the
18th. The candian girls came down to train with our
Oregon girls and help them get ready for Nationals. We
had some Washington women attend also and thank them
as well. We hope to hold this camp again next year and
promote it earlier and draw from all over the country.
Keep your eye out for it!


July 29:

Six Oregon Junior Women are back from making history!
They competed in the first women's division of the
Junior Freestyle Nationals. This tournament had over
4500 wreslters in attendance making it the biggest
wrestling tournament in the world. USA wrestling added
a Junior Women's division to the Cadet Freestyle &
Greco-Roman and Junior Freestyle and Greco-Roman
Divisions this year.

The Oregon Junior Nationals girls team just returned
from Fargo, ND. 103 young women from 24 states
competed in two days of competition.

Na'Tasha Umemoto, Jordan Bryant, Shawn Swartzlender,
Cindy Gourley, Courtney Pownall and Samantha Lang
represented oregon to a 5th place overall (Unofficial)
team placing.


Na'tasha Umemoto placed 3rd in the 110lb division only
losing a close and hard fought match to the eventual
champion Malinda Ripley. This weight Class was stacked
with National champions, Women's team members and
Acics first team members. Na'Tahsa cut down to compete
at this weight to wrestle against the best women
wrestlers in the nation instead of taking an easy gold
in the 119lb weight class.

Jordan Bryant wrestled at the 128 pould weight class
which was one of the toughest also. The top 5 placers
could have all easily placed first. Jordan had to
wrestle a top ranking women's senior wrestler in her
second match. She did a great job but went 0-2 for the
tournament. Jordan is going to be looking at a lower
weight class next year and she will be lean and
hungry! (right Jordan? <smile>)

Shawn Swartzlender also wrestled at 128lbs. After a
early loss to a tough Alana Buerbe Shawn battled back
to find herself in the finals. As I said this weight
class was stacked with great wreslters. Because of the
pool system and points Shawn pinned Briones who had
beat Buerbe therefore catapulting her into the final
macth. Never underestimate what a a great pin can do
for you! Unfortunately Shawn had a close finals match
but did not win. Shawn took 2nd in a very very
competitive weight class.

Cindy Gourly wrestled in the 138lb weight class which
also had some tough wrestlers in it. She drew the
number 2 wrestler in the second round. Cindy went 0-2
for the tournament.

Courtney Pownall wrestled in the 138lb weight class as
well. Lucky Oregon she drew Brandy Rosenbrock in her
second round. Brandy was wrestler of the year and
placed 2nd at the women's world team trials. Courtney
did a great job in her match against Brandy. Cournty
scored one of the only two points agaisnt her in the
whole tournament.

Samanth Lang wrestled in the 165lb weight class. She
wrestled three matches in under 2 minutes to be the
National Champions. She executed a 5 point throw in
the first match which lasted 19 seconds. The next
match was a little longer lasting 34 seconds with a
three point throw to a touch fall. Her finals match
was a tech fall in 1:09.

Great job to all our Oregon Wrestlers that competed in
Fargo!

I would also like to thank Bobo Umemoto. He has given
long hours of coaching, fund raising, and organizing
to try to make oregon women's wrestling a force! I can
not thank him enough for all that he does!!! Hats off
to Mr.Umemoto!

Development of Women's Wrestling:

There was a meeting held in Fargo to discuss the
growth and development of Women's wrestling in the US.
They are challenging us to recruit and promote this
sport as best we can to get more girls participating.
They suggested regional women's teams within states to
compete on dual formats, More girls tournaments, more
senior women helping the younger girls in training,
and many more ideas. We have to be connected and all
working towards the same goals. Oregon has a great
start but needs that extra push. With Pacific
University starting there Women's program and others
to start up this year now is a great time to take that
extra step! If you have any ideas, can donate time, or
help fund raise please email me back so we can enhance
Oregon Women's Wrestling together!

Fundraising:

The Oregon Women's division is currently seeking $20
donations to go towards supporting the women's
division with a chance to win a brand new Harley
Davidson Motorcyle. If you would like to participate
or purchase a chance or know of some business or
coporation that would like to take advantage of this
tax free donation please email me. We are hoping that
we can help these girls attend these tournaments
without breaking there parents banks...

Thanks to all of you Wrestlers, Coaches, Parents and
Supporters of Oregon Women's Wrestling....

I do believe wrestling season will now be over for
about 4 weeks.

Look for Girls sunday practices to start up again in
September! I will notify everyone when this will take
effect. Also watch the website. You can sign up to get
updates when items on it change. I try to keep the
What's New page updated as best I can.

Thanks again for everyone's help with Oregon Women's
Wrestling.

Juli Lang

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