Lady Vikings begin year with eight medals

Sophomore Britney Sevy (top) claimed one of Valley's eight medals at the season-opening McMaster Invitational. [Click to enlarge]

HAMILTON, Ont. -- The Missouri Valley College women's wrestling team garnered eight medals during its opening event of the 2005-06 season: the McMaster Invitational, Nov. 4-5 at Hamilton, Ont.

Leading the charge for the Lady Vikings was a newcomer, freshman Sharlee Solis of Castro Valley, Calif. She won the 55-kilogram title with a 3-0, 5-1 decision over freshman Warry Woodard of the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.).

Reaching the finals before losing were three other Valley freshmen: Samantha Schuman (51 kilograms) of Omaha, Neb.; Lacey Novinska (72) of Fennimore, Wis.; and Colette Curtis (82) of Gardner, Kan. Schuman won three of four rounds, Novinska recorded four falls and Curtis pinned three opponents.

Freshman Celeste Contreras (72) was fourth, freshman Christina Varland (48) was fifth and sophomore Britney Sevy (51) -- the only returning letterman among the eight medalists -- and freshman Sara Hilliard (67) were sixth.

Lest one think that the Lady Vikings are almost an entirely new squad, it should be noted that 15 of the 20 entries -- including 12 of 15 medalists -- from their University Nationals lineup of a year ago are back. They just didn't compete in the season opener.

That list is headed by three champions -- senior Brooke Bogren and Kelly Branham and sophomore Brittany Jones -- and finalists in juniors Erika Chew and Julie Duarte and sophomores Rachel Billerbeck and Astrid Gomez. Returning bronze medalists are juniors Angelee Homma, Clarissa Caribuso and Selina Perez.

Bogren and Branham have been ranked among the top U.S. Seniors throughout their careers and Jones made a mark as a freshman, despite wrestling with an injured knee. Billerbeck came on strong late in the season, coming in fifth in the U.S. Senior Nationals and second in the World Team Trials. Calibuso also placed at the trials.

Valley was second to arch-rival Cumberlands at the McMaster meet, 74 to 34 points, and may get to go head to head against the Patriots at the Canadian International Duals, Dec. 3-4 at Thunder Bay, Ont.