Woody claims another crown

Wrestling

Former Arundel High wrestler Nicole Woody became the first female four-time junior national champion yesterday, capturing the 102-pound title at the Junior Freestyle Nationals in Fargo, N.D.

Woody, 19, swept her best-of-three match against Amy Whitbeck of New York, winning by scores of 2-0 and 8-1.

"It feels great," said Woody, who plans to wrestle at Oklahoma City University in the fall. "Ever since I won my first championship, my goal was to be the first four-time champion."

The Odenton resident, who took second place earlier this year competing against boys in the state high school wrestling finals, did not lose a period the entire tournament, earning the Outstanding Wrestler award for the second consecutive year.

Woody's friend and training partner, Rockville's Helen Maroulis, also dominated her way to a junior national title. Maroulis won the 109-pound division by pinning Candace Workman of Utah in the second period of their match.