2001 Club/FS/G-R - UM-Morris Women's Open Championship claimed by host

Saturday, December 1, 2001

UM-Morris Women's Open Championship claimed by host

Katrina Betts named Most Outstanding Wrester

Morris, MN - The University of Minnesota-Morris women's wrestling program collected their third title of the year, this time as the host of the UM-Morris Women's Open. The Cougar women were led by Katrina Betts, Keli Hinton, and Katie Downing, who all who championship honors.

Katrina Betts (Milan, MI) won the championship title at 46 kilos/101 pounds. Betts went 3-0 in the competition defeating Kera Pemberton of Neosho Community College (KS) by fall in 45 seconds, Tonie Trowbridge of Neosho Community College by technical superiority 11-0, and by a fall over teammate Liz Short in 56 seconds.

Betts was selected by the officials crew at the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. Betts, a freshman is now 18-1 on the season and ranked #3 in the North American Collegiate Poll by theMat.com.

Katrina Betts of the University of Minnesota-Morris was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the UM-Morris Women's Open. Betts is ranked the #3 wrestler at 46 kilos in all of North America. photo Doug Reese

Keli Hinton (Andover, KS) had a strong showing at 51 kilos/112 pounds. Hinton defeated Danni Presley of Neosho Community College twice in round robin competition with a 12-7 decision and by a fall in 2:45. Hinton as come on strong of late when she made the decision to wrestle at 51 kilos rather than at 56 kilos/123 pounds where she began the season.

Keli Hinton of UM-Morris pins Danni Presley of Neosho Community College to win the UM-Morris Women's Open. Hinton pinned Presley in 2:45 to capture the 112 pound weight division. photo Lauren Johnson

Katie Downing (Pendleton, IN) was unopposed at 68 kilos/150 pounds. Downing sports a 9-3 record and a World Cup title this season.

Placing second at 62 kilos/123 pounds is Katie Ross (Greensboro, NC). Ross defeated teammate Lisa Neuburger (Plymouth, MN) by technical superiority 11-1, then lost to Sarah Tolin of Neosho 12-2 in a very hard fought match.

At 75 kilos/165 pounds, Samantha Branka (Lincoln Park, MI) placed second. Branka defeated Randi Miller of Neosho by fall in 2:10, then pinned teammate Alicia Wilson (Santee, CA) in dog fight match in 3:30. Wilson held a 7-6 lead when Branka earned the fall while also breaking a rib during the bout. In the finals, in pain, Branka was determined to wrestle her arch-rival Elena Mena of the Minnesota Storm. Mena prevailed gaining a fall off a head lock to win the championship title at 75 kilos. Wilson placed third after winning by fall in a tough match against Randi Miller of Neosho in 4:15.

Also placing in the tournament was Liz Short (Lombard, IL) at 46 kilos/101 pounds. Short defeated Tonie Trowbridge of Neosho by technical superiority 10-0 to place third.

Sally Roberts of Pacific University won the title at 62 kilos/137 pounds.
Roberts posted two round robin victories in dominating fashion over Emily Black of Neosho 10-0, and 11-0.

"I was happy with most of our performance," said UM-Morris coach Doug Reese.
"We were a little distracted today - our focus was not where it should have been. We did well, but we can do much better. We have some work to do."

The UMM women will resume practice for the next two weeks before leaving school for Christmas break on December 17th. The women will next compete in the Gord Garvie Memorial Wrestling Festival on January 5th in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

RESULTS
46kg
1st Katrina Betts (UM-Morris) wbf 0:45 vs. Kera Pemberton (Neosho CC)
3rd Liz Short (UM-Morris) 10-0 TF vs. Tonie Trowbridge (Neosho CC)
51kg
1st Keli Hinton (UM-Morris) wbf 2:45 vs. Danni Presley (Neosho CC)
56kg
1st Sarah Tolin (Neosho CC) 12-2 TF vs. Katie Ross (UM-Morris)
3rd Lisa Neuburger (UM-Morris)
62kg
1st Sally Roberts (Pacific) 11-0 TF vs. Emily Black (Neosho CC)
68kg
1st Katie Downing (UM-Morris) unopposed
75kg
1st Elena Mena (MN Storm) 0:46 vs. Samantha Branka (UM-Morris)
3rd Alicia Wilson (UM-Morris) wbf 4:15 vs. Randi Miller (Neosho CC)

Team Champion - UM-Morris
Runner up - Neosho CC
Most Outstanding Wrestler - Katrina Betts (UM-Morris)