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Azerbaijan
Mariya Stadnik aimed to capture Beijing gold
[ 05 Aug 2008 12:05 ]
Baku. Elshen Mammedov - APA-SPORT. “I have set my target on gold medal in Beijing Olympics”, Azerbaijani female wrestler Mariya Stadnik told APA-SPORT.

European junior and senior champ stated that she is absolutely ready for 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
“We had a good preparation. I was the winner of European junior and senior championship this year. I think I will perform successfully in Beijing as well”, she said.
The 20-year-old has qualified for the Olympics after she took 7th place in world championship held in Baku last year. She was beaten by Chiharu Icho (Japan) in quarter-final that time. Her rival later became the European champion. Stadnik (48 kg) find the Japanese the most challenging opponent in the Olympics.
“My main rival in Beijing will be Chiharu Icho who possesses many titles and much experience. I have never encountered my countryman Irina Merlen. She fights for Ukraine and I am for Azerbaijan”, she noted.
Stadnik added that she intends to stay in Azerbaijan after the competition. She is satisfied with the care in the country. The wrestler stated that other 15 Azeri sportsmen are also capable of scoring medals in Beijing.
“It depends on psychological preparation of the wrestlers”, she said.
Stadnik is to join the competition on August 16.

Canada


Four Abby wrestlers take top spots

Cam Tucker, The Times

Published: Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Gill was not the only Abbotsford wrestler or athlete to win a medal at the B.C. Summer Games this year.

Female grapplers Nikki Brar, Serena Kind and Ashley Topnik all took home the gold in women's wrestling, albeit in different weight classes.

USA


Olympian Marcie Van Dusen to represent Body Bar, Inc., USA Wrestling's official sponsor
Marilyn R. Kroner Body Bar, Inc.
08/05/2008
Body Bar Systems Inc., an official sponsor of USA Wrestling and a premier sponsor of the USA Women?s Wrestling program, announced today that 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestler Marcie Van Dusen has signed a contract to represent Body Bar Inc. in various marketing endeavors, including appearances with the company at several upcoming trade shows.

?I am delighted that Ms. Van Dusen will be representing Body Bar,? commented Arno Niemand, owner and chairman of Body Bar Systems. ?She has all of the attributes that the Body Bar community embraces. She is a hard worker, team player, fierce competitor, and strong leader. She is a true champion.?

In June, Van Dusen recorded one of the biggest upsets in international women?s wrestling history when she defeated Japan?s Saori Yoshida at the 2008 World Cup. Yoshida, an Olympic and World champion, had never lost an international match in ten years of competition.

Her victory at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualified Van Dusen as one of only four women to represent the USA in the Beijing Olympics. A recent Sports Illustrated article stated that she has a good chance to receive a medal in Beijing.

?Marcie personifies the qualities of a great company like Body Bar,? said Terry Steiner, national team coach for the USA Wrestling Women?s Wrestling program. ?They are clearly a winning combination.?

?I have been a Body Bar devotee for some time, and recently ordered my own personal set of Body Bars, so I already feel like part of the company,? commented Van Dusen. ?I look forward to helping Body Bar in its quest to bring women?s wrestling to the forefront.?

About Body Bar Systems, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Body Bar Systems provides the infinite workouts and solid educational tools that fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities still choose after almost 21 years - because they work. The company sponsors several wrestling tournaments. The company has created a strong presence through the original weighted fitness bar, The Body Bar?, the award-winning Body Bar Flex?, and the extensive ?Master Your Body? DVD series of workout programs. Body Bar Systems is committed to enhancing the fitness and well being of the world by providing quality products and education with passion, integrity, and fun. Body Bar Systems is a member of the IHRSA network. Body Bar Systems is a sponsor of the USA Women?s Wrestling team and sponsors several wrestling tournaments throughout the U.S. www.bodybar.com 1-800-500-2030.

Minnesota

'It's definitely worth the fight'

By RACHEL BLOUNT, Star Tribune

Last update: August 5, 2008 - 5:16 PM

From an early age, wrestler Ali Bernard battled her opponents and a culture that didn't understand her.

Rocky Bernard wasn't sure how people would react to seeing his daughter on a wrestling mat. He had grown up in New Ulm, and he had wrestled for the high school team himself, compiling a pretty good record as a 185-pounder back in the day.

Still, this was his little girl, Ali. In a boys' sport. In a small town. "I was a little nervous at first," Bernard said. "Then I saw how she handled herself.

"Some people asked, 'Why would you let her do this?' I could never tell her no. And about six matches into her career, word got out that she wasn't going to back down."

Word also spread that Ali Bernard wasn't in this to get attention or show anyone up. She wrestled because she loved the one-on-one battle of wills and strength, testing her body and her mind and her limits. Bernard won with dignity, lost with grace and wasn't put off by those who did not approve of what she was doing.

That attitude made her one of the most popular athletes in New Ulm. Next week, her parents, siblings and the Ali Cats fan club -- created by mothers of her high school teammates -- will travel to Beijing to watch her wrestle in the women's 158.5-pound weight class at the Olympics.

"I was flying back from a USA Wrestling trip to New York, right after the Olympic trials, when it hit me," said Bernard, 22, a two-time U.S. champion and world junior champion. "I am an Olympian.

"Only eight [American] women have ever had the opportunity to wrestle in the Olympics. It took a lot of hard work, and there might be people who don't think girls should be doing this. But I've gotten so much from this sport. It's definitely worth the fight."

Negative comments fueled her

New Ulm officials wanted to throw a parade for Bernard after she made the Olympic team, but she vetoed that idea. Too flashy. They settled instead for a low-key reception at the city hall, which was more in line with Bernard's personality.

She did receive a hero's welcome at her family's rural home. Her sister Annie tacked signs to trees and to the front door, declaring that Olympian Ali Bernard lived there. Parents Rocky and Sue quickly erected a pair of flagpoles beside the driveway, so they could fly the Olympic and American flags.

As Bernard walked near the flags a few weeks after the Olympic trials, motorists on Hwy. 68 honked and waved. Though she was grateful for her town's longtime support, she felt slightly sheepish about her celebrity.

That is part of her appeal. "A lot of times in a smaller town, something like this would not fly," said Brandon Reichel, an assistant coach at New Ulm who continues to work with Bernard when she is in Minnesota. "But her mindset, and the way she handles herself off the mat, makes it easy to respect her.

"She never tried to prove a point. She wrestled just because she enjoyed it. She was just being Ali."

Bernard started wrestling when she traveled with her family to her brother's tournaments and decided she wanted to try it, too. Andy, the only boy of the Bernards' five children, wrestled in youth meets and high school. His adventurous sister often followed what he did, including crashing a dirt bike into a fence.

Strong, agile and independent, Ali started wrestling in the New Ulm Rolling Thunder youth program. Two other girls joined with her. They dropped out, but Bernard immediately took to the sport.

The coaches and wrestlers at New Ulm were won over by her appetite for hard work, her desire to learn and her insistence on being a good teammate. Sue Bernard recalls that most of the criticism came from New Ulm's opponents.

"From the time my girls were in the womb, I told them they could do anything they wanted," she said. "There was one match when I told Ali that scoring one point could be her goal. She looked at me like I was crazy. She wanted to win.

"I knew it would be tough, but when she heard negative comments, they just fueled her. That's the kind of person she is."

Mostly, Ali ignored the critics. She asked her family to do the same, even when they heard hurtful things. Sue Bernard once sat quietly in front of a man who yelled to his son -- Ali's opponent -- "Pin her and pull her around the mat by her hair!" When Ali pinned the boy, her mom turned around and said, "I don't think you'd like her to do that to your son."

Her parents remember many more tales about the fine impression their daughter made. Referees, coaches and athletes admired her dedication and love for the sport, as well as her ability to quietly succeed in a male pursuit.

"I think what got her through the guy-girl part of this was that she is extremely mentally tough," Reichel said. "She doesn't get scared under pressure."

Bernard's cheering section grew to include her grandmothers, Ann Bernard and Marie Steinberg, who wore New Ulm purple and came to matches early to study her opponents. Mothers of her teammates formed the Ali Cats and began traveling to see her wrestle outside of high school.

"She sets a great example for all kids with her work ethic and her passion for the sport," said Kathy Koob, one of four Ali Cats who will travel to Beijing. "She never expected to be treated any differently from the guys. To us, she was just always part of the team."

Dad knew 'she was going to make it'

Bernard won about half of her matches in high school. She also began building a national reputation in girls' tournaments. In 2003, she won the first of her two U.S. and world junior titles; the following year, she became a national champion, participated in the Olympic trials and was named the U.S. high school girls wrestler of the year.

In 2004, the year women's wrestling made its Olympic debut, Bernard accepted a scholarship to wrestle on the women's team at the University of Regina in Canada. She has been named the school's female athlete of the year three times and plans to return to school after the Olympics for her final season.

She also met Roger Alves, a wrestler who was visiting Regina on a recruiting trip. Alves and Bernard began dating, and he soon became her workout partner. When she committed herself to making the Olympic team, Alves committed with her.

"She really, really wanted to make it," said Alves, 23, who will wrestle at the University of Alberta this fall. "Since January, all we've done is train, train, train. We might get out for a walk or a movie, but she's dedicated herself to putting in the work."

Bernard's weight class at the trials included former world champions Kristie Marano and Iris Smith, as well as world bronze medalist Katie Downing, whom Bernard upset to win the U.S. title at 158.5 pounds in April. That earned her an automatic spot in the finals at the trials, where she defeated Downing again to earn the Olympic berth.

"I wasn't nervous at all," Rocky Bernard said. "I knew in my heart she was going to make it. When she did, I had to go outside and take a few deep breaths. It is an awesome thing."

The weight of her achievement settled on Bernard when USA Wrestling gave her business cards printed with her name and the title: 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Member. A few days later, she was taking her sister out for a pedicure and throwing out the first pitch at an American Legion baseball game.

"This is the biggest tournament I'll ever wrestle in," Bernard said. "I really want to medal. Wrestling comes naturally to me, but I've had a lot of great people helping me out and supporting me." 

She did receive a hero's welcome at her family's rural home. Her sister Annie tacked signs to trees and to the front door, declaring that Olympian Ali Bernard lived there. Parents Rocky and Sue quickly erected a pair of flagpoles beside the driveway, so they could fly the Olympic and American flags.

As Bernard walked near the flags a few weeks after the Olympic trials, motorists on Hwy. 68 honked and waved. Though she was grateful for her town's longtime support, she felt slightly sheepish about her celebrity.

That is part of her appeal. "A lot of times in a smaller town, something like this would not fly," said Brandon Reichel, an assistant coach at New Ulm who continues to work with Bernard when she is in Minnesota. "But her mindset, and the way she handles herself off the mat, makes it easy to respect her.

"She never tried to prove a point. She wrestled just because she enjoyed it. She was just being Ali."

Bernard started wrestling when she traveled with her family to her brother's tournaments and decided she wanted to try it, too. Andy, the only boy of the Bernards' five children, wrestled in youth meets and high school. His adventurous sister often followed what he did, including crashing a dirt bike into a fence.

Strong, agile and independent, Ali started wrestling in the New Ulm Rolling Thunder youth program. Two other girls joined with her. They dropped out, but Bernard immediately took to the sport.

The coaches and wrestlers at New Ulm were won over by her appetite for hard work, her desire to learn and her insistence on being a good teammate. Sue Bernard recalls that most of the criticism came from New Ulm's opponents.

"From the time my girls were in the womb, I told them they could do anything they wanted," she said. "There was one match when I told Ali that scoring one point could be her goal. She looked at me like I was crazy. She wanted to win.

"I knew it would be tough, but when she heard negative comments, they just fueled her. That's the kind of person she is."

Mostly, Ali ignored the critics. She asked her family to do the same, even when they heard hurtful things. Sue Bernard once sat quietly in front of a man who yelled to his son -- Ali's opponent -- "Pin her and pull her around the mat by her hair!" When Ali pinned the boy, her mom turned around and said, "I don't think you'd like her to do that to your son."

Her parents remember many more tales about the fine impression their daughter made. Referees, coaches and athletes admired her dedication and love for the sport, as well as her ability to quietly succeed in a male pursuit.

"I think what got her through the guy-girl part of this was that she is extremely mentally tough," Reichel said. "She doesn't get scared under pressure."

Bernard's cheering section grew to include her grandmothers, Ann Bernard and Marie Steinberg, who wore New Ulm purple and came to matches early to study her opponents. Mothers of her teammates formed the Ali Cats and began traveling to see her wrestle outside of high school.

"She sets a great example for all kids with her work ethic and her passion for the sport," said Kathy Koob, one of four Ali Cats who will travel to Beijing. "She never expected to be treated any differently from the guys. To us, she was just always part of the team."

Dad knew 'she was going to make it'

Bernard won about half of her matches in high school. She also began building a national reputation in girls' tournaments. In 2003, she won the first of her two U.S. and world junior titles; the following year, she became a national champion, participated in the Olympic trials and was named the U.S. high school girls wrestler of the year.

In 2004, the year women's wrestling made its Olympic debut, Bernard accepted a scholarship to wrestle on the women's team at the University of Regina in Canada. She has been named the school's female athlete of the year three times and plans to return to school after the Olympics for her final season.

She also met Roger Alves, a wrestler who was visiting Regina on a recruiting trip. Alves and Bernard began dating, and he soon became her workout partner. When she committed herself to making the Olympic team, Alves committed with her.

"She really, really wanted to make it," said Alves, 23, who will wrestle at the University of Alberta this fall. "Since January, all we've done is train, train, train. We might get out for a walk or a movie, but she's dedicated herself to putting in the work."

Bernard's weight class at the trials included former world champions Kristie Marano and Iris Smith, as well as world bronze medalist Katie Downing, whom Bernard upset to win the U.S. title at 158.5 pounds in April. That earned her an automatic spot in the finals at the trials, where she defeated Downing again to earn the Olympic berth.

"I wasn't nervous at all," Rocky Bernard said. "I knew in my heart she was going to make it. When she did, I had to go outside and take a few deep breaths. It is an awesome thing."

The weight of her achievement settled on Bernard when USA Wrestling gave her business cards printed with her name and the title: 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Member. A few days later, she was taking her sister out for a pedicure and throwing out the first pitch at an American Legion baseball game.

"This is the biggest tournament I'll ever wrestle in," Bernard said. "I really want to medal. Wrestling comes naturally to me, but I've had a lot of great people helping me out and supporting me." 

Mostly, Ali ignored the critics. She asked her family to do the same, even when they heard hurtful things. Sue Bernard once sat quietly in front of a man who yelled to his son -- Ali's opponent -- "Pin her and pull her around the mat by her hair!" When Ali pinned the boy, her mom turned around and said, "I don't think you'd like her to do that to your son."

Her parents remember many more tales about the fine impression their daughter made. Referees, coaches and athletes admired her dedication and love for the sport, as well as her ability to quietly succeed in a male pursuit.

"I think what got her through the guy-girl part of this was that she is extremely mentally tough," Reichel said. "She doesn't get scared under pressure."

Bernard's cheering section grew to include her grandmothers, Ann Bernard and Marie Steinberg, who wore New Ulm purple and came to matches early to study her opponents. Mothers of her teammates formed the Ali Cats and began traveling to see her wrestle outside of high school.

"She sets a great example for all kids with her work ethic and her passion for the sport," said Kathy Koob, one of four Ali Cats who will travel to Beijing. "She never expected to be treated any differently from the guys. To us, she was just always part of the team."

Dad knew 'she was going to make it'

Bernard won about half of her matches in high school. She also began building a national reputation in girls' tournaments. In 2003, she won the first of her two U.S. and world junior titles; the following year, she became a national champion, participated in the Olympic trials and was named the U.S. high school girls wrestler of the year.

In 2004, the year women's wrestling made its Olympic debut, Bernard accepted a scholarship to wrestle on the women's team at the University of Regina in Canada. She has been named the school's female athlete of the year three times and plans to return to school after the Olympics for her final season.

She also met Roger Alves, a wrestler who was visiting Regina on a recruiting trip. Alves and Bernard began dating, and he soon became her workout partner. When she committed herself to making the Olympic team, Alves committed with her.

"She really, really wanted to make it," said Alves, 23, who will wrestle at the University of Alberta this fall. "Since January, all we've done is train, train, train. We might get out for a walk or a movie, but she's dedicated herself to putting in the work."

Bernard's weight class at the trials included former world champions Kristie Marano and Iris Smith, as well as world bronze medalist Katie Downing, whom Bernard upset to win the U.S. title at 158.5 pounds in April. That earned her an automatic spot in the finals at the trials, where she defeated Downing again to earn the Olympic berth.

"I wasn't nervous at all," Rocky Bernard said. "I knew in my heart she was going to make it. When she did, I had to go outside and take a few deep breaths. It is an awesome thing."

The weight of her achievement settled on Bernard when USA Wrestling gave her business cards printed with her name and the title: 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Member. A few days later, she was taking her sister out for a pedicure and throwing out the first pitch at an American Legion baseball game.

"This is the biggest tournament I'll ever wrestle in," Bernard said. "I really want to medal. Wrestling comes naturally to me, but I've had a lot of great people helping me out and supporting me." 

"She really, really wanted to make it," said Alves, 23, who will wrestle at the University of Alberta this fall. "Since January, all we've done is train, train, train. We might get out for a walk or a movie, but she's dedicated herself to putting in the work."

Bernard's weight class at the trials included former world champions Kristie Marano and Iris Smith, as well as world bronze medalist Katie Downing, whom Bernard upset to win the U.S. title at 158.5 pounds in April. That earned her an automatic spot in the finals at the trials, where she defeated Downing again to earn the Olympic berth.

"I wasn't nervous at all," Rocky Bernard said. "I knew in my heart she was going to make it. When she did, I had to go outside and take a few deep breaths. It is an awesome thing."

The weight of her achievement settled on Bernard when USA Wrestling gave her business cards printed with her name and the title: 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Member. A few days later, she was taking her sister out for a pedicure and throwing out the first pitch at an American Legion baseball game.

"This is the biggest tournament I'll ever wrestle in," Bernard said. "I really want to medal. Wrestling comes naturally to me, but I've had a lot of great people helping me out and supporting me."

USA

Rex Jones to receive Gable award

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Rex Jones of Chadron has been selected as one of three recipients of the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Dan Gable “America Needs Wrestling” Award. The presentations will be made at the 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in St. Louis in March.

Jones is being recognized his vast contribution to wrestling. During the 26 years that he was associate director of the Nebraska School Activities Association he was in charge of the state tournament. He also served on the National Federation of High School State Association’s Wrestling Rules Committee for 12 years, including a term as chairman.

The other award recipients are Danielle Hobeika of Naperville, Ill., and Jim Root of Saratoga, Calif.

The award recognizes individuals who have given significant time and effort to wrestling. The efforts must have had significant impact on the preservation or promotion of the sport, through contributions that are financial, service and/or leadership in nature.

“We have three individuals who rightly deserve this award with vastly different backgrounds,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “It goes to show you don’t always have to be one type of individual to do wonders for the sport of wrestling.”

A graduate of Chadron High School and Chadron State College, Jones helped start the wrestling program at Rushville while coaching there in 1962 and began refereeing the sport in its formative years in Nebraska, both on the high school and college levels.

When Jones joined the Nebraska School Activities Association staff in 1975, his duties included directing the state wrestling tournament. Attendance at the tournament was about 29,000 then, and was about 45,000 at the final tournament he ramrodded in 2001.

Jones’ operation of the Nebraska tournament relied heavily on volunteers, including several from Chadron, who assisted with the various functions. It also became an event that attracted widespread attention among school personnel and sports fans, not just those who followed wrestling. He was inducted into the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003.

“The state tournament in Nebraska became something all teams involved would look forward to,” said Moyer. “Rex Jones played a major role in facilitating the prestige of the tournament.”

The NWCA president, Ron Mirikitani, added that Jones was the type of administrator who, when given the responsibility, got things done.

“In 26 years, Rex became a wrestling person and we’re honored to present him this award,” Mirikitani added.

Jones was inducted into the Chadron State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001. His wife, the former Sharon Franey, is a native of Crawford.

Hobeika, a former member of the U.S. Women’s National Team and a graduate of Harvard, has long been the driving force behind wrestling’s presence on the internet.

After wrestling late in her high school career, Hobeika competed at Harvard before helping coach the sport at Menlo College, Pacific University and Princeton. Her impact also included helping athletes launch web sites and for causes like Beat the Streets, Save Fresno State Wrestling, Save Oregon Wrestling and the NWCA’s Program Entrench-ment Initiative.

Hobeika has also been active in the promotion of women’s wrestling, launching The Women’s Mat, a web site exclusively for women’s wrestling and tried to elevate women’s wrestling as a recognized emerging sport by the NCAA.

“Danielle has been one of those people within the sport of wrestling who has really used her talents to not only promote, but to engage the wrestling community,” said Mirikitani. “When something happens in wrestling, and a web site needs to be developed quickly, Danielle never waits around. She jumps right in and steps up. She’s one of the most dedicated individuals wrestling has, we’re honored to announce her as a recipient,” the NWCA president added.

Root has spent more than four decades as a wrestling coach, teacher and educator in California. Having coached at West Valley College in the California Community College System, Root doesn’t coach for the money. That’s not a motto, it’s a fact.

“When Jim Root stepped away from coaching, the school tried to drop the program and that wasn’t going to happen with a guy like him,” said Moyer. “In a selfless act, Coach Root gave up his coaching stipend, retired from teaching and coaches at West Valley College, not for the financial aspect, but to keep wrestling going at the college.”

Root represents the California Community College programs at the California Commission on Athletics meetings.

“It’s hard to find a more ardent supporter when it comes to wrestling,” said Mirikitani.

At West Valley, he has coached nine state junior college champions and his teams have placed among the top 10 at the state tournament 11 times. He also was the co-founder of the California State High School Wrestling Championships.

The NWCA was established in 1928, and is dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate programs.

Dan Gable, the person for whom the award Jones and the others are receiving, went 64-0 during his three years of high school wrestling and had a 118-1 record while competing at Iowa State. In 1972, Gable won a gold medal at the Olympic Games and did not give up a point in any of his matches.

He then was the head coach at the University of Iowa, where his Hawkeyes won 15 NCAA championships, including an unprecedented nine straight. He is now an assistant athletic director and assistant wrestling coach at Iowa.

Missouri

Part 3 of 4: Gaining strength mentally

Female wrestler finds strength in her father’s voice
August 5, 2008 | 4:08 p.m. CDT

BY DREW SCHMENNER

The buzzer blares. Everyone knows who won this wrestling match.

Except for the winner.

Wrestling glossary

DUAL: When two teams compete for the ultimate victory.

MATCH: When the contestants oppose each other to earn points.

PIN: Holding the opponent on his or her back with one or both shoulders touching the mat for two seconds. It determines the winner of the match, awarding a team six points.

TAKE DOWN: Placing and controlling the opponent on the mat earns two points.

ESCAPE: Getting out of or reaching a neutral position from a take down earns one point.

REVERSAL: Gaining control of your opponent from a submissive position earns two points.

WEIGH-IN: The official record of a wrestler's weight at the beginning of a match to guarantee he or she can compete fairly in his or her weight class.

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"Is it me?" Amberlee Ebert mouths to the Missouri Valley College bench.

The cheering transforms the Valley sophomore on this evening in late January in Marshall. She is glowing. Her blue eyes radiate. She breaks from a determined glare into a gleaming smile, gives her opponent a perfunctory handshake and dashes off the mat.

The loser, Ashley Sword, slinks away and rejoins the Oklahoma City University team. The veteran, nicknamed "Mama Sword" by her teammates, has lost to her younger opponent.

The two switched roles from their first match two weeks earlier. Sword dominated Ebert at a tournament in Iowa, not yielding a point. But their battle hasn't ended. They will face each other three more times this season.

Wrestling not only punishes the body; It also toys with the head. Ebert, 19, is talented and tough. But her nerves can cost her more in a match than any tactical error. Doubt can overwhelm her, especially when she faces someone as experienced and confident as the 24-year-old Sword.

Ebert's teammates swarm to congratulate her. Samantha Schuman points to Ebert's head and tells her, "It's all up there."

A voice resonates within Ebert.

It pushed her when she was young. It now contests her continual doubt.

"I know you can do this," it says. "I've seen it."

The voice belongs to Bob Ebert, Amberlee's father. He knows his daughter is gifted. He saw her talent when she first started the sport in Reedsville, Wis. Although he cannot attend all of her matches now, his words have stayed with her.

"That's the only voice I heard for how many years," Amberlee Ebert said, "so I can always hear him encouraging me and telling me to go on because he knows I'm a mental head case sometimes."

The voice is part of Ebert's story. The affirmation appears when she tells it, drowning out the negativity.

Ebert started wrestling in third grade, competing in tournaments along with her younger brother, Austin. The two accumulated medals for their homemade plaques and pins for their hats.

But every year, she thought, would be her last.

Her father suggested otherwise. "You can do what you want, but, look, you're doing so good. Why don't we try just one more year, see how you do?" he would say.

She agreed, but was also devoted to other activities. She took tap dancing, ballet and jazz for 11 years and played softball and ran track in high school.

But she knew what she excelled in. Wrestling brought victories and recognition. Her father showed her the newspaper clippings. "None of your friends have this. Isn't that good? Isn't that good seeing that you're an individual doing your own thing?" he asked her.

When she was a junior in high school, Amberlee Ebert started competing against girls. She placed third in the 152-pound weight class in her first tournament, the high school national championships. "Wow. That's what I wanted to know - how you would do against the nation," Bob Ebert said.

The victories piled up. "You know, you are really good. You're not just doing this for fun," her father kept telling her.

Success followed Ebert to Valley. Last year, she won the 67-kilogram (147.5-pound) title at the Pan Am Junior World Championships in Venezuela.

When Ebert takes the mat, her father is never far. The two talk on the phone before and after every match. If she can't reach him before a bout, she listens to his phone messages over and over again. "Who wants this? I know you want this. How hard do you work every day?" the messages say.

Her voice instantly gives away the outcome afterward to her father. "I'll be real excited or be like, ‘Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry,'" she said.

But the most intimate moment occurs minutes before each match. Ebert doesn't jump rope or move around like most wrestlers. Her mind, not her body, warms up.

Ebert peers into the distance. Her pale face starts to flush. Her father enters her thoughts. His voice tries to subdue any doubt.

"I pray and then I just think, ‘Do you really want this? And how would it feel if you won it?' I try to think what my dad would say if I won," Ebert said. "I always try to think positive because if one, little negative thing happens, it will bust everything out."

Negativity overcame Ebert before her first match against Sword in Iowa at the start of the season. She heard rumblings from her teammates that Sword was annoyed and talking about her, saying she was better than Ebert. But the individual preseason wrestling rankings said otherwise.

Ebert was ranked ahead of Sword in the 67-kilogram weight class in that poll. But when the USA Wrestling national women's rankings were released three weeks later, Sword was ahead of Ebert. The OCU wrestler felt vindicated.

"I was like ‘OK, so now we have the BCS of women's wrestling,'" Sword said, referring to the Bowl Championship Series, the controversial system that determines the national champion in college football. "That's exactly how it felt."

Sword is an experienced veteran in collegiate wrestling. She trained for more than four years at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. But without any club sponsorship, she decided to join OCU's inaugural women's wrestling team last fall.

Sword's grumblings psyched Ebert out in Iowa. Sword won easily that day, preying on Ebert's weakness - her neck. She latched onto it repeatedly. Ebert was helpless.

"I've never had anybody do that to me over and over and get me every time," Ebert said.

But Ebert defended her home turf with a close victory in Marshall. Their rivalry will continue on neutral ground.

 

• • •

 

It's an unseasonably warm February weekend in Colorado Springs, Colo. But wrestlers from around the world are stuck inside a noisy gymnasium festooned with flags. They are competing in the Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament at the Olympic Training Center.

Some of Valley's most talented wrestlers - Ebert, Samantha Fee and Angelee Homma - have made the trip to take on international competition. Some of the top Americans, including former Valley wrestler Stephany Lee, are also participating. So is Sword.

Many athletes such as Lee are training at the OTC in preparation for the Olympics. They are aiming to peak first in June, when the Olympic Trials take place. Added in 2004, women's wrestling is one of the newest Olympic events.

Only four U.S. wrestlers will travel to Beijing in August. Although there are seven international weight classes, only four are contested in the Olympics because the number of medals awarded in the Games is limited.

The national team has invited Ebert to train at the OTC, but she is content to stay in school for the moment. The competition with Sword is grueling enough.

The two meet in the first round. Ebert squeaks by her rival and ends up taking third. After receiving her medal, she finds a quiet place to call her father.

 

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One week later, on its way to OCU, the Valley wrestling team is lost in rainy, cold Oklahoma City. Wrestlers have been munching on Chex Mix and watching "Surf's Up," a movie featuring computer-animated surfing penguins. But the team is now anxious to arrive and get ready for its dual.

The bus finally pulls into a parking lot. Wrestlers trudge through drizzle and soggy grass to get to the gym. They quickly change in the locker room and warm up on the mats.

Once the dual is underway, Ebert rises from the bench and begins her unorthodox but effective routine. Sword is animated, slapping her thighs and shaking her head.

When the two take the mat, the teams start to cheer. Ebert and Sword stare at each other in the center circle for the fourth time. The whistle blows. Sword immediately attacks Ebert's neck and controls her in a headlock.

"Head up," her teammates yell. "Keep your head up."

That refrain is repeated during the match. Sword keeps grabbing Ebert's neck and jerking her body to the mat. But Ebert keeps her back arched, avoiding the takedown.

The wrestlers split the first two periods. But in the third, Ebert's head is down. And stays down. Sword gains position and does not give in. She wins without facing trouble.

The two quickly shake hands. Ebert slumps away and crumples to the floor away from the bench. Her blond hair is mussed, but she doesn't try to fix it. Valley huddles around its next wrestler, but she doesn't join the team. Tears start to slide down her cheeks.

The voice had told her, "You beat her already. Stop thinking she wants it more than you. You want it."

She hadn't followed through.

But Ebert will get another opportunity to hold her head high. Her chance will come at the final tournament of the collegiate season.


Guam

Perseverance pays off for Dunn: After 11 years of wrestling, Dunn ready for Olympics

By Jojo Santo Tomas • Pacific Daily News • August 6, 2008 


Guam's Olympic wrestler: Guam wrestler Maria Dunn is shown after the 2006 World Championship in China. Dunn will represent Guam at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. She is competing in the 63-kg division in women's freestyle wrestling. (Photo Courtesy of Amy Kranz)

At an age where many girls are putting away their dolls and starting to contemplate how to ask mommy for makeup, Maria Dunn wanted to learn how to wrestle.

Not the wrestling you see on late-night cable, mind you. Dunn wanted to learn the sport of warriors.

"I first started wrestling when I was roughly 11 years old. Mr. Bob Anderson, my 6th grade P.E. teacher, decided to go over some basics with us. I guess he saw some potential in me, because I was so enthusiastic and energetic about the sport," she said. "From there he introduced me to Neal Kranz, the head coach of the Guam National Wrestling team. It was pretty amusing, because he thought I was way too young! So for about two weeks, I sat around and watched the men practice, and finally, Neal gave in and taught me some moves. Perseverance pays off!"

Wait pays off

Now 22 and faced with the biggest challenge of her life, Dunn says the decade-long journey has already been worth the wait. Dunn will represent Guam in the 63-kg division in women's freestyle wrestling at the Beijing Olympics. Everything will be determined for her on Sunday, Aug. 17.

"This journey, although it is nowhere near over, has been a very exciting one. There have been a lot of smiles, and a lot of tears. There's sweat, blood, doubt, fear ... and there's joy, triumph and victory. And I have learned that once you are victorious, all the pain you experienced seems to fade into the distant background," she said. "I have learned that in order to accomplish anything, you have to believe that you can. I never compare myself to others, because this is my journey. At the end of the day, I'm the only person I have to face."

Dunn qualified for the Olympics by winning gold at the 2007 Oceania Championships, though her test in Beijing will be the ultimate. She's the first female wrestler to qualify for the Olympics for Guam, and she's one of just 64 female wrestlers overall in four different weight classes. She has moved away from Guam to focus on training and most recently, spent much of her time at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

She admits that at times, she's been lonely but she always relies on her family, friends and training team to get her motivated again.

Dream come true

"Going to the Olympics has been my only dream since I was 11. Now, 11 years later, here I am on my way. Sure it took some time, but speed was not my goal," she said. "The only difference now is that I dream to win the gold medal for Guam. I envision myself on the medal stand with the Guam anthem blaring in the background. The mind is so very powerful, when it is set on pleasing one's heart."

Many thanks

Dunn said she has many people to thank, especially her mother Luu Yen Ngoc, of Yigo.

"She is quite the sneaky lady. When we are face to face, she tells me she wants me to quit wrestling and become a model. Yet when I am gone, she tells everyone how proud she is," said Dunn. "My coaches too, Neal Kranz, Alex Gutierrez and Mike Duroe, who take so much of their time teaching me how to be a better wrestler, and never really knowing that they are actually making me a better person. My team, friends and family -- all of you burn in my heart when I am away. Your support is monumental in my progression."

Aiming for London

After Beijing, Dunn said she will continue to train and aim for a spot on Team Guam for London in 2012.

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