Jan 20

WRESTLING: U.S. women's freestyle team finishes second in World Cup after dropping 4-3 decision to China

TAIYUAN, China - The United States women's freestyle team finished second at the World Cup after dropping a 4-3 decision to China in the finals on Sunday night. The United States received wins from Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) and Stephany Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids). Murata competes at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Van Dusen wrestles at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Lee is at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Van Dusen capped a superb weekend where she went 3-0 at the World Cup. The American squad forfeited at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. because of an injury to Olympic and World silver medalist Sara McMann (Gaffney, S.C./Sunkist Kids), who won both of her matches Saturday. McMann was injured in her second match on Saturday, a win over a wrestler from Japan. Two-time World bronze medalist Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) was off to a quick start against World champion Rui Xue Jing of China before being caught and pinned in the second period. Downing won the first period 2-0 and led 2-0 in the second period before Jing recorded the fall at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Reigning World team champion Japan rebounded from a loss to the U.S. to beat Kazakhstan 5-2 in the third-place dual. Ukraine beat Canada 4-3 in the fifth-place match. FIRST-PLACE MATCH: CHINA 4, UNITED STATES 3 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Liu 1-0, 1-0 51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Ren dec. Jenny Wong (Gaffney, S.C./Sunkist Kids) 2-0, 0-1, 1-0 55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Dongmei Sun 2-1, 2-0 59 kg/130 lbs. - Zhang dec. Leigh Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) 2-0, 1-0 63 kg/138.75 lbs. - China wins by forfeit 67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Rui Xue Jing pinned Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) 72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stephany Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec. Xu 4-0, 2-0