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Three wrestlers qualify for World Team Trials
Las Vegas - The University of Minnesota-Morris women's wrestling team came away from the U.S. Open Senior Wrestling Nationals with three All-Americans wrestlers who qualified for USA Wrestling's upcoming World Team Trials. Placing for UMM was Katie Downing, Samantha Branka, and Alexandra Augustin.
Katie Downing (Pendleton, IN) came into the competition as the number three ranked wrestler in the United States with a 24-3 record at 149 pounds. Downing had a challenging tournament when she was caught by a headlock and pinned in her quarterfinal match versus Melanie Macari of Missouri Valley College. With her hopes of a national title gone, Downing had to refocus to wrestle back to win a bronze medal.
Downing came back with a fierce intensity winning a 12-0 technical superiority versus Molly Keith of Missouri Valley, then downed Stephanie Bolton of Cumberland College with a pin in 1:15 to advance to the consolation semi-finals.
In the consolation semi-finals Downing met world champion and four-time world silver medalist Sandra Bacher of the Dave Schultz Wrestling club. Bacher was also a three-time Olympian in Judo. Downing came out in the first period with a one-point takedown, and later in the period Backer tied the score with a takedown of her own. In the second period Downing gained a two point lead with a gut wrench, the Bacher cut the lead to 3-2 with a one point reversal.
With five seconds left in regulation, Downing was called for a passivity caution for one point that tied the score at 3-3. If the score would remain tied after the three minute overtime, Bacher would be declared the winner because of the caution against Downing. With twenty seconds left in a do or die match, Bacher was put down on the mat with a passivity. With just four seconds left, Downing squeezed a high gut wrench and turned Bacher to her back to win the overtime match 5-3.
"That was the one of the best matches I ever seen," noted UMM coach Doug Reese. "Katie came through in the clutch. She overcame adversity at every level, stayed focused and did what she had to. She showed what she is made of in that match. Bacher knows how to win big matches - she was a worthy opponent. That was a huge win."
Downing then met Missouri Valley's Kaci Lyle for the bronze medal match. Lyle scored early off of Downing's front headlock, but Downing came back with two takedowns, followed by a fall at 2:58 to claim third place in the tournament.
Alexandra Augustin (Naples, FL) placed seventh at 136 pounds. Augustin scored a 10-0 technical superiority over Dina Tavera of Pajaro Valley, NM in her opening round match. Augustin then dropped a match to Kate Zeitler of Cumberland College. Augustin held a 6-0 lead, when Zeitler caught her in a body lock and took Augustin to the mat with a fall in 5:04.
Augustin came back with a win over Lisa Walker of Missouri Valley with a fall in 3:20, then defeated UMM recruit Peggy Van de Mark of Kimball, MN with a fall in 4:16. In the consolation quarterfinals Augustin lost by fall to Tina Arnds of Missouri Valley by fall in 2:03 to finish in seventh place.
Samantha Branka (Lincoln Park, MI) placed seventh at 165 pounds. After an opening round bye, Branka lost by fall to Elena Mena of the Minnesota Storm in 4:29. Branka came back to defeat Emily Barna of Messiah College (PA) with a strong 11-1 technical superiority.
In the consolation quarterfinals, Branka lost a 13-3 decision to Dominique Smalley of Missouri Valley College, then won her 7th place match on technical points over Cassie Inman who was wrestling unattached.
Also competing for the Cougars was Crystal Metz (Little Falls, MN) and Katie Ross (Greensboro, NC) at 123 pounds. Ross lost her opening round match to Jill Remiticado of Forest Grove WC in a wild match 14-12, then won by default versus Martiza Collazo who was wrestling unattached, then dropped her final match to Christine Hyatt of Missouri Valley by fall. Metz lost by fall to Jessica Shirley of Northor WC and to Jill Remiticado of the Forest Grove WC.
Downing, Branka, and Augustin all qualified to compete in USA Wrestling's World Team Trials to determine the US National Team. At the trials a mini- tournament will be held with the second through eighth place finishers. The top two finishers, plus the national champion will compose the US National Team. The competition will be held during the third week of June in Cincinnati, Ohio. The champion in each weight class will represent the United States in the World Championship in New York in late September.
In the past seven years UM-Morris has placed 13 wrestlers on the US National Team with 8 wrestlers having represented the U.S. in world championship competition.
Alexandra Augustin works to turn Lisa Walker of Missouri Valley at the US Senior Open Nationals. Augustin won by fall in 3:20 and placed 7th at 136 pounds.
Katie Downing puts the pressure on Molly Keith of Missouri Valley. Downing won this match 12-0 and placed third in the National Championships at 149 pounds.
Samantha Branka uses a power to half to influence Emily Barna of Messiah College (PA) to go to her back. Branka defeated Barna 11-1 and placed 7th at 165 pounds.