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Prep spotlight: Young lady is a champ wrestler

West's Revelle racking up titles on the mat

Anthony S. Bush / The Capital-Journal Whether wrestling boys or girls, Jefferson West eighth grader Krista Revelle has experienced plenty of success on the mat. She won her second national title of the year in late March and has three national titles to her credit.

Jefferson West eighth grader Krista Revelle plays all the sports — volleyball, basketball, softball, track. But her top sport, arguably, is wrestling where the Tiger teen is an 11-time state champion and three-time national champion, earning her latest national crown March 30 in Michigan. Her 150-pound title at the USGWA National Championships came on the heels of winning the 135-pound title at the USA Folkstyle Nationals two weeks earlier in Oklahoma.

How long have you been wrestling and what got you into the sport?

Eight years. My brother (Kevin) got beat by a girl at a tournament. So my dad was like, "Do you want to do that?" I'd never really thought about doing it until then. But once my dad asked me, I thought I'd give it a try.

Did wrestling come naturally to you?

My very first tournament, I lost every single match. My second tournament I won.

What is your favorite wrestling move?

I like throwing more than anything. I don't really shoot a lot, but I like to try and throw my opponents.

Do you plan to wrestle in high school or play basketball?

I'm going to try (and wrestle). No promises on how I'll do. Basketball is my second-favorite sport, but I have to give that up for wrestling because of the season conflicts. I'm still struggling with that decision a bit, but it's what I want to do.

Do you get more satisfaction beating a boy or a girl?

A lot of times people don't really expect a girl to be beating a guy. Either way, it's a win so it doesn't matter too much. to me

Have you been surprised by your success?

Maybe a little. I still have a lot of room for improvement, though.

Being involved in so many sports, how do you fit them all in?

At times, it gets hard. Right now, I'm doing softball, track (for Jefferson West Middle School) and wrestling. After track, I go to wrestling practice and then I go to softball.

There is a tom-boy image associated with being a girl wrestler. Do you have a "girly-girl" side?

At times I can be. Maybe once a month.

So jeans or a dress?

Jeans, for sure.

Brent Maycock can be reached at (785) 295-5662 or brent.maycock@cjonline.com

48.0 kg

  Rank   Name   Country  
  1.   Icho, Chiharu   Japan 
  2.   Ren, Xuecheng   P.R. of China 
  3.   Neha   India 
  3.   Enkhjargal, Tsogtbazar   Mongolia 
  5.   Sunisa, Klahan   Thailand 
  5.   Wu, Li-Chuan   Chinese Taipei 
  7.   Bakatyuk, Tatyana   Kazakhstan 
  8.   Kim, Hyung-Joo   Korea 
  9.   Tadjmuratova, Uljan   Uzbekistan

51.0 kg

  Rank   Name   Country  
  1.   Um, Hye-Jin   Korea 
  2.   Eshimova-Turtbayeva, Jyldyz   Kazakhstan 
  3.   Dham, Thie-Hue   Vietnam 
  3.   Huang, Wenjuan   P.R. of China 
  5.   Tsai, Pei-Jing   Chinese Taipei 
  5.   Kai, Yuri   Japan 
  7.   Poonam, Rani   India
 

55.0 kg

  Rank   Name   Country  
  1.   Yoshida, Saori   Japan 
  2.   Abdrakhmanova, Saltanat   Kazakhstan 
  3.   Su, Ying-Tsu   Chinese Taipei 
  3.   Xu, Li   P.R. of China 
  5.   Naidan, O.   Mongolia 
  5.   Nghiem, Thi Giang   Vietnam 
  7.   Tomar, Alka   India 
  8.   Anchuli, Srithyarat   Thailand 
  9.   Kubatbekyzy, Galina   Kyrgyzstan 
  10.   Artikbaeva, Ainur   Uzbekistan 
  11.   Kwon, Hye-Chun   Korea
 

59.0 kg

  Rank   Name   Country  
  1.   Li, Song Ni   P.R. of China 
  2.   Smirnova, Olga   Kazakhstan 
  3.   Anita   India 
  3.   Kajita, Mizuka   Japan 
  5.   Jung, Hye-Rim   Korea 
  5.   Lee, Chiu-Ping   Chinese Taipei 
  7.   Narangarav, C   Mongolia
 
63.0 kg

  Rank   Name   Country  
  1.   Icho, Kaori   Japan 
  2.   Odonchimeg, Badrakh   Mongolia 
  3.   Shalygina, Elena   Kazakhstan 
  3.   Hou, Min-Wen   Chinese Taipei 
  5.   Ge, Zhen   P.R. of China 
  5.   Jakhar, Geetika   India 
  7.   Hwang, Jin-Yong   Korea 
  8.   Kuchimova, Salamat   Uzbekistan

67.0 kg

   Rank   Name   Country  
  1.   Shinkai, Mami   Japan 
  2.   Nasanburmaa, Ochirbat   Mongolia 
  3.   Karpenko, Darya   Kazakhstan 
  3.   Zhang, Fengliu   P.R. of China 
  5.   Kundu, Suman   India 
  5.   Yoon, So-Young   Korea
 
72.0 kg

  Rank   Name   Country  
  1.   Hamaguchi, Kyoko   Japan 
  2.   Ochirbat, Burmaa   Mongolia 
  3.   Xu, Qing   P.R. of China 
  3.   Panova, Yana   Kyrgyzstan 
  5.   Hwang, Eun-Joo   Korea 
  5.   Zhanibekova, Olga   Kazakhstan 
  7.   Anmol 2   India 
  8.   Ismatova, Gulmira   Uzbekistan
 

JEJU, Korea (March 20) ? 

Kyoko Hamaguchi (right photo) rallied for three wins to take her third straight title in the Asian championships and secure a berth in this summer�fs Beijing Olympic Games. Hamaguchi�fs triumph, following a disastrous ninth place finish at last year�fs world championships, completes Japan�fs quartet of entries in female wrestling for the Beijing Games in August.

Hamaguchi, who took a bronze medal in Athens four years ago, joins defending Olympic and world champions Saori Yoshida (55 kg) and Kaori Icho (63) as well as Athens silver medalist Chiharu Icho (48) on the Japanese roster.

Meanwhile, Yoshida, the Icho sisters and Mami Shinkai (67) also bagged gold medals for Japan in the one-day Asian female wrestling competition. Also, Mizuho Kajita took a bronze medal at 59 kg, but Yuri Kai lost her opening match and did not get a chance to wrestle for the medals.

Japan won the team competition ahead of China and third-place Kazakhstan.

In the race for Olympic tickets, Enkhjargal Tsogtbazar of Mongolia defeated Neha of India in a battle of bronze medalists at 48 kg for one Beijing berth while China�fs Xu Li defeated Chinese Taipei entry Su Ying-tzu in a similar wrestle-off at 55 kg for another.

At 63 kg, Mongolia�fs Odonchimeg Badrakh advanced to the finals against Kaori Icho and grabbed the ticket for Beijing with a silver-medal performance.

Results of bouts involving Japanese entries:

Women�fs freestyle

48 kg - ICHO, Chiharu (1st, 9 entries)

R1 ? df. Enkhjargal Tsogtbazar (MGL), 2-0 (1-0, 2-1)
�@Icho scores a go-behind point to take the first period but needs a late snap down and spin behind to defeat the defending champion.

R2 ? df. Zhuldyz Eshimova-Turtbayeva (KAZ), 2-0 (3-0, 1x-1=last point)
�@Icho takes the first period with a three-point double-leg takedown midway through the interval, but needs a late double-leg with five seconds remaining in the second to subdue last year�fs Asia champion at 51 kg.

SF - df. Wu Li-chuan (TPE), 2-0 (1-0, 2-0)
�@Icho wins first period with lone double-leg takedown, and the second on a force-out from behind and go-behind.

F1 - df. Ren Xuecheng (CHN), 2-0 (1-0=2:03, 1-0)
�@In a rematch of the 2006 world championship final, Icho scores from the clinch in the first period and a go-behind in the second of a controlled strategic encounter.


51 kg - KAI, Yuri (did not place, 7 entries)

R1 - lost to Huang Wenjuan (CHN), 1-2 (0-1+2:05, 1-0=2:11, 1-4)
�@Kai and Huang trade periods from the clinch, both with Kai on the defensive, but in the third, Huang counters Kai�fs takedown attempt with a front headlock and nearside cradle.

55 kg - YOSHIDA, Saori (1st, 11 entries)

R1 - df. Alka Tomar (IND), 2-0 (1-0, 3-0)
�@Yoshida has trouble penetrating the extreme defense of the 2006 world bronze medalist until snaring the right leg in the final 20 seconds of the first period. Yoshida works a front headlock for two points in the second and then adds a go-behind point.

R2 - df. Xu Li (CHN), 2-0 (3-1, 6-3)
�@Yoshida breaks a 3-3 tie in the second period with three unanswered takedowns in a seesaw match.

SF - df. Otgonjargal Naidan (MGL) by fall, 2P=0:53 (1-0, 7-0)
�@Yoshida gets her takedown motor running in the second period, then counters her opponent�fs attack with a whipover for the fall.

F1 - df. Saltanat Abdrakhmanova (KAZ), 2-0 (1-0, 6-0=1:58)
�@Yoshida takes the first period with a takedown in the final 15 seconds, but comes out in the second with all pistons firing, scoring takedowns at will and nearly missing with an arm bar for the fall.


59 kg - KAJITA, Mizuho (3rd, 7 entries)

R1 - df. Narangaraev Cjagnaadorj (MGL) by fall, 2P=1:28 (2-0, 6-3)
�@Kajita rolls on top of her opponent�fs hip throw and presses for the fall.

SF - lost to Li Songni (CHN) 1-2 (2-2x=last point, 1-0, 0-3)
�@After trading periods, Kajita attempts a takedown in the final seconds of a scoreless third period and is thrown to her back by the junior world champion.

F3 - df. Jung Hae-Rim (KOR), 2-0 (2-0, 5-3)
�@Kajita takes the first period with a pair of single-leg takedowns, but is thrown in the second and needs a late gut wrench to secure the bronze medal.


63 kg - ICHO, Kaori (1st, 8 entries)

R1 - df. Ge Zhen (CHN), 2-0 (4-0, 1-0)
�@Icho opens with a double-leg for three points, then turns Ge with a leg grapevine but cannot get the fall. She scores a takedown early in the second period and runs the clock out.

SF - df. Elena Shalygina (KAZ) , 2-1 (2-0, 0-1=2:04, 2-0)
�@In a repeat of last year�fs world championship final, Icho takes the first period with an ankle pick and takedown counter, but drops the second from the clinch. In the third, Icho scores a quick go-behind point and then steps over an arm throw by the Russian-born 19-year-old late for the win.

F1 - df. Odonchimeg Badrakh (MGL), 2-0 (6-0=1:17, 1-0)
�@Icho attacks with a single-leg, scores exposure points with a leg grapevine and then repeats a cross-ankle turn to end the first period. Icho gets behind with a duck under midway through the second and runs out the clock against last year�fs Asia bronze-medal winner.


67 kg - SHINKAI, Mami (1st, 6 entries)

R1 - df. Suman Kundu (IND), 2-0 (1-0, 3-0)
�@Shinkai scores with a double-leg takedown just before time to take the first period and the picks away with takedowns and a counter to win the second.

SF - df. Zhang Fengliu (CHN), 2-0 (2-1, 4-0)
�@Shinkai gives up a takedown to the junior world silver medalist in the first minute, but storms back for two takedowns herself to win the first period. In the second, it was all Shinkai as she rolled into the finals.

F1 - df. Nasanburmaa Ochirbat (MGL) by fall, 1P=1:52 (6-0)
�@Shinkai, herself the junior world champ in 2005, picked apart last year�fs junior world bronze medalist in the first period before a lateral drop and body press for the fall and the gold medal.

72 kg - HAMAGUCHI, Kyoko (1st, 8 entries)

R1 - df. Xu Qing (CHN) by fall, 2P=0:50 (2-3, 3-0)
�@Hamaguchi gets thrown her back from a front headlock in the first period. She avoids the fall, but losses the period to the Chinese newcomer. Hamaguchi wastes little time in the second, moving from a single-leg attack to head-and-arm control for the fall.

SF - df. Hwang Eun-Joo (KOR) by fall, 1P=0:16 (4-0)
�@Hamaguchi throws her opponent to the mat just after the whistle and covers for the fall.

F1 - df. Burmaa Ochirbat (MGL), 2-0 (1-0, 1-0)
�@In a battle of Athens Olympians, both aiming for a trip to Beijing, Hamaguchi scores with a single-leg in the first period. In the second, Hamaguchi hits another takedown for a point and then runs out the clock.

Alder Creek Middle School wrestlers Amanda Novick, Trini Trowe and Sara Lade will compete in the all-girls California State Championship in Vallejo on Saturday. Provided to the Sun

The Alder Creek Middle School wrestling team is sending three of its wrestlers — Amanda Novick, Trini Trowe and Sara Lade — to the all-girls California State Championship in Vallejo on Saturday.

Novick wrestled in the California State Championship last year and placed fifth. She is looking to improve that placing this year after finishing fourth in the Nevada Regional Tournament, which featured wrestlers from Nevada, Arizona and California.

Novick is a seasoned veteran from last year’s squad. She has earned medals in three different tournaments this season and wants to continue wrestling after this year.

“I want to learn freestyle so my skills can get better,” Novick said. Freestyle wrestling is a year-round sport that involves Olympic moves like arm throws and slams.

Sara Lade is the daughter of Alder Creek assistant coach Dave Lade. This is her first year wrestling and she enjoys the sport greatly. She has been competing against boys all year and is looking forward to wrestling some girls.

Sara Lade has earned two medals this year.

Trowe is another first-year wrestler. She has been learning from Novick and some of the boys who have been pushing her to do better.

“Trini is a strong kid. She’s thrown some boys around the mat before,” said Alder Creek head coach Danny Curtis. “I’m proud of all my girls on the team. They work hard and make sacrifices for the sport. This weekend will be a fun and exciting.”

Ohio

by Don Dreger 4/9/08

Record-Courier assistant sports editor

Recently, I was having coffee with Ron Gray and some other friends in Kent.

Gray was a longtime wrestling coach at Kent State who enjoyed great success.

He has a good sense of humor to go along with his old-time coaching values.

The topic of girls wrestling in high school came up, and Gray was asked if he was for it or against it.

He diplomatically side-stepped the question, but did offer this antidote.

Gray once taught a course at KSU for women on the basics of wrestling. He had the women get on the mat and learn some of the sport's basic moves.

"I learned quickly that the women were more coachable than men," said Gray. "They also became proficient quickly in the basics. Whatever I said, they did."

Coachable! Most kids today don't realize the value of being coachable.

Today's athletes think they know everything after watching television or jumping on the Internet to pick up pointers.

In watching winter sports this past season, it became apparent to me that listening to a coach is a lost art. Hardly any athlete listens with both ears.

What a tragedy.

I've seen a coach tell his team to slow down the pace in a basketball game, only to watch a player hoist up a 3-pointer two seconds later.

In the Kent State men's basketball game against Toledo this season, the Flashes led by 5 points with one minute to go. It was their game to lose.

BUT KENT State committed a foul on a 3-point attempt, which is a cardinal sin in basketball.

I've sat behind the Kent State bench enough times to know that head coach Jim Christian always tells his players not to foul beyond the 3-point arc.

So does every one of his assistant coaches. In fact, the players have probably been told hundreds of times.

Yet, there it was, a foul that quickly turned into three points for Toledo.

The final result was a devastating loss, all because a player didn't listen.

Excelling in sports is a 6-inch game -- that's the space between your ears. If it's empty or inactive, you're the loser.

Listening is a big part of work ethic, a term heard before but not used enough.

In the real world (the place that exists after high school), people in charge aren't going to take time to teach work ethic. Either you have it, or you are history.

It's a tough world out there, and no one owes anyone a living. There are more than enough students to fill the colleges, and there are more than enough applicants for the good jobs. It's reality.

If I were in college admissions, I would consider academics first. Then I would call any former coach or teacher and see how well their former student listened.

In a nutshell: Listen closely, and you have a chance at improving your life.

Washington

Mount Baker state champion wrestler Ashlee Phy finished fourth in the 146-pound bracket last month at National Girls Wrestling Championships began in Livonia, Mich.

Phy, who won two consecutive 145-pound state championships and helped the Mountaineers to the girls’ team title February in Tacoma, won two of four matches in the tournament. Both of her wins were by pin, and she also had two byes.

Katie Newgard, who finished second at the state tournament for Mount Baker at 130 pounds, also participated in the Michigan tournament in the 128- pound division. She lost both of her matches, but still ranks among the top 20 wrestlers at her weight in the country.

GIRLS’ WRESTLING CHANGES

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association executive board voted at its March 26 meeting to amend the weight classes in girls’ wrestling.

The 145-pound class will be replaced by 140 pounds, and weight classes were added for 152 and 171 pounds. The new classes will go into effect in the 2008-09 season.

By STEPHANIE HARSHA Sports Editor 4/9/08

It's a question that has been discussed in families, schools and athletic circles around the world since the dawn of competitive sports.

And with the close of the high school and folk style wrestling tournaments, it may still linger on a few minds --Why wrestle?

Just ask Green River's first timer and 7-8-year-old champion at 40 lbs, and you'll get the answer.

“It's fun. It makes me feel like I have power inside,” Christian Dean said. “Plus, I like to hear my mom and dad say ‘Come on, you can do it!' It makes me feel good.”

Christian competed for the first time at the state folk style tournament in the youngest age division, and ended up taking the title in his weight class.

Anyone familiar with wrestling, however, knows that it's difficult and takes elements of courage and strength to stand alone against your competitor on the mat.

“I get scared a little every time. I thought some of the people were going to beat me in the match. But I didn't quit. I just kept wrestling. That's what you are supposed to do, you know--just keep wrestling,” Christian said.

But it's not all fun and games for these young competitors or their parents. It takes countless hours in practice and numerous trips across the state for tournaments.

Christian's dad, Mike Dean, knows all to well what it takes to be a part of the building blocks of the Green River wrestling tradition that spans almost 50 years--he heads up the Grapplers coaches.

“We have some very dedicated kids and parents,” Mike said. “And we have some great wrestlers.”

The Grapplers consist of youth divisions that range from 7-8 year olds to teenager competitors who already have some high school varsity experience.

The state folkstyle tournament is one of the culminating events of the season for these kids.

“We were really well-prepared,” Mike said.

The team placed fourth overall, with 12 place winners out of about 36 competitors.

“We didn't have many who didn't win at least one match up there,” Mike said.

Mike commented that whether or not a team will do well in wrestling can be difficult to predict, considering the age of the competitors.

“With the little guys, it's kind of a crap shoot. They are streaky sometimes. Their tummies could hurt or the wind's not blowing right, and they could lose. You never know,” Mike said with a chuckle.

Mike said overall, the team wrestled well, especially his first-time starters, Brendon Hopkins and Jordan Tucker, who placed first and third respectively in large brackets.

Mike also mentioned the Grapplers only female wrestler, state champion Madison Gines, who travels from Farson to be with the team.

“I think everyone up there was watching our female wrestler,” Mike said. “She is legit, she'll beat some good male wrestlers.”

“I just want to be a good wrestler,” Christian said.

Hopkins and Tucker share the same sediment.

“I want to wrestle for as long as I can,” Hopkins said.

“Yeah, I am going to keep wrestling, too,” Tucker said.

STATE CHAMPIONS

Christian Dean, 7-8 years old,  40 lbs

Madison Gines, girls folk style champion, 9-10 years old,  70 lbs

Brendon Hopkins, 11-12 years old, 103 lbs

Cole Verner, 11-12 years old, 60 lbs

Hunter Hanks, 11-12 years old, 95 lbs

 Zeke Mamalis, 13-14 years old, 70 lbs  

Brady Turnbull, Cadet, 130  lbs 

2nd place winners

Clancy Gines, 7-8 years old, 75 lbs

Parker Dean, 9-10 years old, 65 lbs

Chace O'Melia, 11-12 years old, 70 lbs

Mario Luna, Cadet, 98 lbs

Scott Verner, Cadet, 140 lbs

3rd place winners

Zachery Sanchez, 9-10 years old, 65 lbs

Blake Gelinas, 9-10 years old, 91 lbs

Jordan Tucker, 9-10 years old, 112 lbs

Kolby Kester, 13-14 years old, 120 lbs

Luis Flores, Cadet, 105 lbs

4th place winners

Zack Huber, 13-14 years old, 105 lbs

5th place winners

Chase Stoeger, 7-8 years old, 60 lbs

Holden Wood, 7-8 years old        

Cyro Montoya, 9-10 years old, 50 lbs      

Gage Byers, 9-10 years old, 55 lbs

Jared Flores, 11-12 years old, 75 lbs

 

6th place winners

Joel Luna, 13-14 years old, 84 lbs

Other wrestlers who competed but did not place were: Trevor Dean, Justin Flores, Garrett Harris,  Kaden Loyd,  Micheal Smith,  Nathan McCann, Kaycee Cochran, Trey Watts, Justin Verner, Christian McClure, Jeremy Hopkins, Dakota Watts, Mitchel Barrerra and Jacob Flores

TEAM SCORES

1st place - Gillette Camel Kids, 811

2nd place -- Top of the Rock, 694

3rd place --Team Braves, 684

4th place -- Green River

Jacob Flores - Governor's Award for Folkstyle, Schoolboy division.