Monmouth's Fox sets sites on nationals
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Jessica Fox was ranked 11th in the 114-pound weight class in the United States Girls Wrestling Association rankings in the preseason. With a win over fifth-seeded Lydia Stevens, of Jefferson, N.H., earlier this year, Fox should make a jump in the standings.
Fox, a senior at Monmouth Academy, has another chance to step up in those standings this weekend, when she wrestles in the United States Girls Wrestling Association National Championships today and Sunday at Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, Mich.
Fox defeated Stevens with a 7-4 decision on March 15 to finish third in the New England USGWA Championship.
Fox doesn't yet know who she will wrestle because wrestlers don't have to preregister for the event, but she believes she'll wrestle many of the same competitors she faced last year when she finished eighth.
"My goal is to place again," Fox said.
Fox defeated Nicole Lemay of Litchfield, with a 4-0 decision on March 16, to win the New York USGWA Girls State Championship. Lemay pinned Lisa Paquette of Schenectady, N.Y., in 3:25 to finish third. Lemay finished fourth in the New York championship.
Fox has wrestled most of her career against boys, competing for the Monmouth Academy team. She enjoyed success against the boys, finishing 10-16 at 119 pounds this season and becoming the first female at Monmouth to win a match in the state meet, according to coach Charlie Fyler.
"It helps wrestling the boys because they are usually stronger," Fox said.
Fox was the team captain and won the Keith McLeod Award (formerly the team choice award), both voted on by her teammates.
"I was at a winter coaches meeting before the season started, and it was sleeting and raining outside," Fyler said. "She (Fox) was outside running in that stuff. That is the type of work ethic she has."
Scott Martin — 621-5618
smartin@centralmaine.com