2004 Olympic Trials 5/23/04

Part Three

Article by Mark Plamer, Photos by Al

US Women’s Freestyle

48 kg/105.5 lbs
2004 US Nationals champ Patricia Miranda (Dave Schultz WC) vs. Clarissa Chun (Gator WC)

The first match saw lots of scoring – one-point takedowns and reversals – with Miranda coming out on top 6-3. In the second, the 2003 World silver medallist held Chun scoreless, winning a 10-0 tech fall victory at 4:51. Miranda will represent the US at 48 kg at the 2004 Olympic Games.

55 kg/121 lbs
2004 US Nationals champ Tina George (US Army) vs. Tela O'Donnell (Dave Schultz WC)

The only finals match-up to have both matches end in a fall. In their opening bout, O’Donnell built up a 4-3 lead before pinning George at 5:57. The second match had a similar ending: at 4:12, O’Donnell used a power half Nelson to pin George, and earn a spot on the US Olympic team.

63 kg/138.75 lbs
2004 US Nationals champ Sara McMann (Sunkist Kids) vs. Alaina Berube (New York AC)

The only finals match-up to have both bouts end in a tech fall. McMann, a 2003 Silver medallist at the 2003 World championships, racked up the points quickly in the opening match, winning a 10-0 tech fall at 2:05. The second match had a similar result: McMann beat Berube on a tech fall by the score of 15-2 at 3:35. Sara McMann will represent the US at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

72 kg/158.5 lbs

2004 US Nationals champ at this weight class Toccara Montgomery (New York AC) vs. Kristie Marano (New York AC), 2004 US Nationals champ at 63 kg/138.75 lb

Before the 2004 Olympic Trials, no one would have predicted this finals match-up. However, Marano failed to make weight at 63 kg, so she opted to go up a weight class. She won the Challenge Tournament, and the right to take on Montgomery in the only finals encounter between two defending National champions. In the final minute of their first match, Montgomery rallied from a 6-3 deficit to beat Marano -- a gold medallist in last year's World championship -- 9-6 in overtime. In the second, Montgomery built an early lead and held it, winning 4-3. Montgomery will represent the US at 72 kg at the 2004 Olympics.

US Women’s Freestyle

48 kg/105.5 lbs
2004 US Nationals champ Patricia Miranda (Dave Schultz WC) vs. Clarissa Chun (Gator WC)

The first match saw lots of scoring – one-point takedowns and reversals – with Miranda coming out on top 6-3. In the second, the 2003 World silver medallist held Chun scoreless, winning a 10-0 tech fall victory at 4:51. Miranda will represent the US at 48 kg at the 2004 Olympic Games.

55 kg/121 lbs
2004 US Nationals champ Tina George (US Army) vs. Tela O'Donnell (Dave Schultz WC)

The only finals match-up to have both matches end in a fall. In their opening bout, O’Donnell built up a 4-3 lead before pinning George at 5:57. The second match had a similar ending: at 4:12, O’Donnell used a power half Nelson to pin George, and earn a spot on the US Olympic team.

63 kg/138.75 lbs
2004 US Nationals champ Sara McMann (Sunkist Kids) vs. Alaina Berube (New York AC)

The only finals match-up to have both bouts end in a tech fall. McMann, a 2003 Silver medallist at the 2003 World championships, racked up the points quickly in the opening match, winning a 10-0 tech fall at 2:05. The second match had a similar result: McMann beat Berube on a tech fall by the score of 15-2 at 3:35. Sara McMann will represent the US at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

72 kg/158.5 lbs

2004 US Nationals champ at this weight class Toccara Montgomery (New York AC) vs. Kristie Marano (New York AC), 2004 US Nationals champ at 63 kg/138.75 lb

Before the 2004 Olympic Trials, no one would have predicted this finals match-up. However, Marano failed to make weight at 63 kg, so she opted to go up a weight class. She won the Challenge Tournament, and the right to take on Montgomery in the only finals encounter between two defending National champions. In the final minute of their first match, Montgomery rallied from a 6-3 deficit to beat Marano -- a gold medallist in last year's World championship -- 9-6 in overtime. In the second, Montgomery built an early lead and held it, winning 4-3. Montgomery will represent the US at 72 kg at the 2004 Olympics.

In attendance. Total attendance for all six sessions was 24,505. Among the fans at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials were Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (named honorary US Olympic Team captain), and numerous past Olympic wrestlers who were honored in a special ceremony on Sunday.

In attendance. Total attendance for all six sessions was 24,505. Among the fans at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials were Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (named honorary US Olympic Team captain), and numerous past Olympic wrestlers who were honored in a special ceremony on Sunday.

Go To Part One

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