Atherton, CA:

The Lady Oaks picked up their first dual "W" of 2011-12 with a big time showing against Southwest Oregon Community College on Saturday, taking it home by a final of 36-15.  "I think we are really starting to come together, supporting and motivating each other from internally," claimed Menlo Head Coach Marcie Van Dusen on the dominating performance. 

The Oaks jumped out to a commanding 18-0 lead, thanks in part to a Kalin Knight-Alvarez pin and a Chelsea Reynosa 3-0, 6-0 decision victory.  The Reynosa victory earned high praise from Coach Van Dusen, considering it was her first showing of the season.  "I think that Chelsea really stepped up this weekend," remarked Van Dusen.  "For her to come back for her first competition and wrestle as well as she did is really motivating to the rest of the team."

Once up 18-0, Menlo never looked back on route to the 36-15 win.  Late in the dual the Lady Oaks received key showings from their youth, as freshmen Karen Perez-Torres and Ariel Casarez each earned victories to propel Menlo over the top.  Perez-Torres picked up 4-0, 3-0 decision win over Southwest Oregon's Caroline Crawford before Casarez pinned Joelle Wheeler in the final dual paring of the afternoon. 

Menlo will look to build off this dual's momentum, with the US Open Nationals scheduled for December 17^th, beginning at 9:00am.