Campbell to represent USA at 2009 Pan-Am games


Kelsey Campbell, a senior on the Arizona State University wrestling team, has been selected to represent the United States in women's freestyle wrestling at the 2009 Pan-American Wrestling Championships, USA Wrestling announced today. Coming off her first senior national crown, Campbell will travel to Maracaibo, Venezuela, for the annual competition and take part in the women's 59kg (130 lbs.) freestyle event on Friday, April 24.

Last weekend in Las Vegas, Campbell, who won the Women's Collegiate National Championships in 2008 (59kg) and 2007 (63kg), entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and won all three of her matches to take the title. She first won a 2-1, 3-0 decision over Nena Garcia (Cumberlands) in the quarterfinals before scoring a 2-0, 2-0 decision over Natasha Umemoto (Sunkist Kids). In the finals, she lost the first round, 1-0, before winning the next two, 1-0, 1-0, to upset No. 1 seed Deanna Rix (NYAC) for her first senior national title.

The Pan-Am Wrestling Championships will feature athletes from nations throughout North, Central and South America. Last year, at the Championships held in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. women pulled out the team title by a close three-point margin over Canada, winning the crown, 67-64. Venezuela (23), Brazil (20) and Mexico (18) rounded out the Top 5 in the team standings.

PAN AMERICAN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Maracaibo, Venezuela, April 23-25
U.S. Women's Freestyle Team
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Alyssa Lampe, Tomahawk, Wis. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Kelsey Campbell, Milwaukie, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Elena Pirozkhova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Sheila McCabe, San Diego, Calif. (OCU Stars)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Jenna Pavlik, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC)
Coaches - Terry Steiner (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Izzy Izboinikov (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

U.S. Greco-Roman Team
55 kg/121 lbs. - Nate Engel, St. Helena, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Faruk Sahin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Jess Hargrave, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Brandon Rupp, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Coach - Jay Antonelli (Chesapeake, Va.), Rob Hermann (Pensacola, Fla.)

U.S. Men's Freestyle Team
55 kg/121 lbs. - Obe Blanc, Naples, Fla. (Gator WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Matt Valenti, New York, N.Y. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Brent Metcalf, Davison, Mich. (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Jon Reader, Davison, Mich. (Cyclone WC)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Kyle Cerminara, Lewiston, Pa. (New York AC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco, Coralville, Iowa (New York AC)
Coaches - Bill Zadick (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Lou Rosselli (Columbus, Ohio)