Jessica Smith eliminated at U.S. Olympic trials

The Austintown teenager lost her first two wrestling matches, both by pins.

LAS VEGAS — Four years from now, Jessica Smith of Austintown hopes to be back on the wrestling mat at the next Olympic trials, shooting for a berth on Team USA for women.

Her first Olympic trials matches at the Thomas & Mack Center were over quickly Friday as the 16-year-old lost to Ashley Sword of Oklahoma City and Jenna Pavlik of Michigan in the 72 kg. class (158.5 pounds).

Smith lost to both in two periods and was pinned by each opponent.

“She was a little bit nervous, but she’s a competitor,” said Chris Canale, her freestyle coach. “She’s been on center stage before, but this was just a higher level of competition than high school athletes are used to. These were the most elite in the sport.”

The Fitch High junior-to-be first lost to Sword, who qualified at a lower weight class [66kg.], then didn’t make weight. Sword was bumped up to 72 kg. and the brackets were re-drawn.

Smith came at 156, a few pounds lighter than the weight.

After losing to Sword in two periods, Jessica faced Pavlik about 40 minutes later.

Jessica’s second bout also lasted two periods.

“You’ve got to win 2 of 3 periods,” Canale said of periods that last two minutes each.

“She was wrestling with not only the best in the country, but in the world and there’s never been anybody as young as her.”

Pavlik is a former world medalist.

“The next-youngest woman [at 72 kg.] to Jess was 25-years- old,” Canale said. “As much as she knows, she’s still a baby in the sport. She’s got many years ahead of her.”

Canale said that the 5-8 Smith seemed a little tight throughout her match with Sword.

Against Pavlik, Jessica was a little more composed.

“She was going up against a former world placer, but Jess wasn’t afraid and went after her despite her credentials.”

If Smith showed any weakness, it was lack of experience.

“The only thing those women had over Jesse was experience. Those women compete overseas and some live at the Olympic training center. This is a girl from the Youngstown area, who just started her career.

Smith is now 6-2 in freestyle matches since the conclusion of her sophomore season in high school competition.

Next for Jessica will be the high school freestyle national championship in Fargo, N.D. in July.

“That’ll be against girls her own age for a national title,” Canale said.

Smith, the daughter of Dennis and Gina Smith, plan to hit the international circuit starting in October at the Sunkist Invitational in Tempe, Arizona.

The USA Wrestling event is sanctioned by FILA, the governing body of wrestling during non-Olympic years.

“She was overwhelmed,” said her father. “She only had six freestyle matches under her belt and she had three world champions in her weight class, a class that was said to have the highest caliber.

“But it was good experience and she should have the jitters out when she goes after the World Cup after the Olympics.”

Dennis Smith added, “She could look at it this way: that she’ll eventually bring an Olympic medal home for the area.”