>
> BOXER WOMEN'S WRESTLING TEAM EARNS VARSITY STATUS
>
> FOREST GROVEŻ After one season of success operating
> at the club level, Pacific University has announced
> that women's wrestling will compete as an
> intercollegiate varsity sport beginning with the
> 2002-03 season.
>
> Women's wrestling becomes the 17th varsity sport at
> Pacific, and the first team added since men's and
> women's track & field were resurrected to varsity
> status in 1997.
>
> "Wrestling has always been very successful at
> Pacific on the men's side, and it only seemed
> logical to throw our commitment and resources behind
> the women as well," said athletic director Judy
> Sherman. "The success that our women have shown
> over the last four years proves that the new program
> will be no different."
>
> Women's wrestling programs, while still unique at
> the collegiate level, are beginning to grow in
> interest. According to themat.com, the Pacific
> program is only the fifth recognized varsity program
> in the United States and the first at an NCAA
> Division III institution.
>
> Additionally, the varsity spots that the women's
> program provides affirms Pacific's commitment to
> providing opportunities for females in collegiate
> athletics.
>
> "We remain committed to providing the best possible
> opportunities for both male and female athletes,"
> Sherman said. "The addition of this program allow
> us to give our female athletes another avenue in
> which to have a successful and enjoyable Pacific
> experience."
>
> Women's wrestling at Pacific began with the arrival
> of former high school national champion Jill
> Remiticado in 1999. She was Pacific's lone female
> grappler until the creation of the club program in
> 2001. The new team drew seven more wrestlers for a
> total of eight.
>
> Since that time the Boxers have not disappointed
> wrestling fans, wrestling to a No. 2 national
> ranking in their first season and taking a team
> second place trophy at both the NAIA North American
> Championships and the U.S. Girl's Wrestling
> Association Collegiate Freestyle Nationals. Seven
> Boxers were ranked individually and earned
> All-American status.
>
> Furthering the Boxers' early success, four Boxers
> have been selected to participate in the first ever
> Women's Wrestling Resident Training Camp at the
> United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado
> Springs, Colo. Katie Kunimoto, Kaci Lyle, Sally
> Roberts and Tela O'Donnell begin their residency in
> late August.
>
> "Pacific's tradition of excellence is only advanced
> further with our women's team," said first year
> Boxer coach Scott Miller. "We have seen great
> things in just one season, and I expect only greater
> success as our program grows. Just like our men's
> program, women's wrestlers can expect nothing less
> than the best."
>
> The Boxer women will open their first varsity season
> at the Sunkist Open, Oct. 18-19 in Phoenix, Ariz.
> Their first home match takes place Fri., Nov. 29 vs.
> Simon Fraser.
>
> A member of NCAA Division III and the Northwest
> Conference, Pacific University is entering its 153rd
> year of academic and athletic excellence.
>
> ----------------------------------
>
> WOMEN WRESTLERS NAMED TO OLYMPIC TRAINING PROGRAM
>
> * Four Boxers to take part in first-time U.S.
> Olympic Training Camp
>
> FOREST GROVE- Four members of the Pacific University
> women's wrestling team are one step closer to making
> their Olympic dreams a reality.
>
> Katie Kunimoto, Tela O'Donnell, Sally Roberts and
> Kaci Lyle begin resident training Monday at the
> United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado
> Springs, Colo. The four Boxers are part of a select
> 18-member group chosen to participate in USA
> Wrestling's first-ever women's wrestling resident
> training camp. The camp will help prepare wrestlers
> for women's wrestling competition at the 2004
> Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
>
> All four women were chosen, the most of any American
> college, based on their success as part of a
> two-month training camp at the USOTC. Five Boxer
> wrestlers attended the camp, and only 18 wrestlers
> were selected for the resident program.
>
> "The selection of these four is a testament to what
> the Pacific program accomplished last season," said
> USA Wrestling spokesman Gary Abbott. "Clearly, the
> Pacific program has emerged as one of the best in
> the country."
>
> The commitment to the program will last one year and
> may be renewed based on performance and
> opportunities.
>
> "I am sorry that we will lose those four from our
> program this season," said head wrestling coach
> Scott Miller, "but this is a tremendous opportunity
> for them. It is great to see the sport of wrestling
> expanding in the U.S. and to have four Boxers be a
> key part of that is great."
>
> Kunimoto (Jr., Kaneohe, Hawaii), who finished the
> season ranked fourth nationally at 112 pounds, led
> the four Boxers to the camp after winning her weight
> class at June's World Team Trials. She will train
> with Jenny Wong, who beat Kunimoto in the final
> challenge match at the trials.
>
> O'Donnell (Fr., Homer, Alaska) and Roberts (Jr.,
> Federal Way, Wash.) each won their weight classes at
> the USGWA Collegiate Freestyle Nationals. O'Donnell
> finished the season ranked No. 1 at 121 pounds,
> while Roberts was ranked No. 3 at 138 pounds. Lyle
> (So., Eureka, Calif.) placed second at the USGA
> nationals, but still garnered the No. 1 ranking at
> 158 pounds.
>
> "We looked for the work ethic, attitude and the
> tremendous talent all four of those wrestlers have,"
> said national team coach Terry Steiner. "If they
> can keep that attitude, all four have the potential
> to be great Olympians."
>
> The Pacific women's wrestling program will wrestle
> as a varsity team in 2002-03 after a phenomenal club
> year in 2001-02. As a team the Boxers finished as
> the No. 2 ranked team in the country, and ranked
> seven of eight individuals among the top-five
> nationally in their weight classes. The Boxers
> finished second at both the NAIA North American
> Women's Wrestling Championships and at the USGWA
> Nationals.
>
> The Boxer women begin the 2002-03 season Oct. 18-19
> at the Sunkist Open in Phoenix, Ariz.
>
> The past year has seen many milestones for women's
> wrestling. The women's resident program is just one
> of many examples of the progression of women in the
> sport. Since the International Olympic Committee
> announced in September 2001 that women's freestyle
> will be added to the official program at the 2004
> Olympic Games, the opportunities and the promotion
> of women's wrestling have greatly increased.
>
> Additional information on the USA Wrestling Women's
> Wrestling Resident
> Athlete Program can be found online at
>
http://www.themat.com/newusaw/usapressdetail.asp?aid=5402
> .
>
>


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