Valley grapplers at World Team Trials

Seventh place at the U.S. Senior Nationals qualified Valley sophomore Maika Watanabe (top) to try out for Team USA this weekend in Ames, Iowa. [Click to enlarge]

AMES, Iowa -- The Missouri Valley College women's wrestling team will be well represented at the U.S. World Team Trials by three current and seven former members.

The three Lady Vikings taking part in the meet, being held today through Sunday in Ames, Iowa, qualified by placing in the top eight in the U.S. Senior Nationals at Las Vegas last April.

The highest-ranked Valley grappler, according to TheMat.com, is freshman Rachel Billerbeck of Plugerville, Texas, No. 5 at 63 kilograms after placing fifth at the national meet.

Junior Brooke Bo gren of Burlingame, Kan., seventh at nationals, is ranked sixth at 59 Kg and sophomore Maika Watanabe of Napa, Calif. -- also seventh at nationals -- is at No. 7 in the 51 Kg class.

The top former Viking is No. 2 Clarissa Chun (48 Kg), now performing for the Gator Wrestling Club out of Colorado Springs, Colo., eligible as a past member of the U.S. World team.

Also at No. 2 is Kaci Lyle (63) of the Sunkist Kids, second at nationals. Donell Bradley (72) of the U.S. Olympic Education Center is ranked fourth, Debbie Sakai (51) of the New York Athletic Club is sixth and Leigh Jaynes (59) -- also with the NYAC -- is eighth.

Unranked Ashley Sword (67) of the New York AC got in by winning the Rocky Mountain Regional championship and Tori Adams of the Sunkist Kids claimed a gold medal in her club's international tournament last fall.

Winners in each weight class will represent the U.S. at the World Wrestling Championships, Sept. 26 to Oct. 2 at Budapest, Hungary.