ATHERTON, Calif. – Following impressive runner-up performances at last month’s U.S. Nationals, sisters Katherine and Sara Fulp-Allen will each take a shot at representing the United States in international competition for the second consecutive year when they compete this weekend at the 2009 World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The winning wrestler at each weight class will represent the U.S. at the World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark in September. Katherine, a Menlo College senior-to-be, competes at 51 kg/112 pounds while Sara, a 2007 Menlo graduate, wrestles at 48 kg/105.5 pounds. If the Fulp-Allens hold true to form and finish in the top three within their respective weight classes they will be considered part of the U.S. National Team for 2009-10.

Katherine led former Olympian Patricia Miranda 2-1 in the second period of their championship match at the U.S. Nationals before the Stanford alumna pinned Fulp-Allen. As a junior, Fulp-Allen won her first Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association national championship and was also named WCWA Wrestler of the Year in addition to being an Academic All-American. She is currently ranked No. 2 in the U.S. Senior Women’s Rankings.

Sara, also ranked No. 2 in her weight class, lost a decision to 2008 World Champion and Olympian Clarissa Chun, 3-0, 1-0, in her title match at the U.S. Nationals. During her Menlo career, Sara was a three-time All-American and won two national titles under her father and head coach Lee Allen, who also coaches Katherine and the rest of the current Oaks women’s wrestlers.

The sisters are considered the most dangerous threats to knock Miranda and Chun off their perches atop the 51 kg and 48 kg weight classes, respectively. If they do, the Fulp-Allen sisters will return to the international level of competition where they medaled at last summer’s 2008 University World Championships. After qualifying through the University World Team Trials, Katherine won gold at 51 kg while Sara took silver at 48 kg in Thessoloniki, Greece.

Katherine will be the first Fulp-Allen to take the mat this weekend when the 51, 59, 67 and 72 kg weight classes get underway on Saturday at 9 a.m. local time (CST). The second session of the day will begin at 1:30 p.m. (CST) with the finals and third place matches at 6:30 p.m. (CST). Sara will wrestle on Sunday when the 48, 55 and 63 kg grapplers compete following the same time table as Saturday’s schedule. Results will be posted throughout the weekend at TheMat.com, the official site of U.S. Wrestling.