Strength of Will: Mount Si welcomes first-ever female wrestler

By RHETT WORKMAN
Snoqualmie Valley Record Sports contributing Writer
Jan 26 2010, 3:45 PM

Mount Si senior Mackenzie Will is competing on the school wrestling team this winter. Will is the first female competitor for the ‘Cats squad, but plays down her pioneering role: she just wants to wrestle. Seth Truscott / Snoqualmie Valley Record Buy Photo Reprints

The Mount Si wrestling program made history this winter, welcoming the team’s first-ever girl competitor into the program.

Senior Mackenzie Will, currently wrestling at 112 pounds, joined the program looking for something different. Besides competing on the mat, Will is a Mount Si cheerleader.

“I’m always up to trying new things and I’ve always liked wrestling,” she said.

Coach Tony Schlotfeldt couldn’t be happier about Will’s potential.

“We’re excited about Mackenzie being on our team, especially because she’s very coachable and she’s learning moves quicker than a lot of our boy wrestlers,” Schlotfeldt said.

When Will told her parents of her plan to compete on the wrestling team, there was a mixed reaction.

“My dad was stoked. He thought it was really cool,” she said. “My mom was kind of iffy, not wanting me to go get hurt or anything. She actually cried at my first match because she was so excited.”

Reaction around the school has been supportive.

“After the first couple days of practice, I told my buddies that we had a girl on the wrestling team and they asked, ‘Who?’” said senior teammate Trey Botten. “I said, ‘Oh, Mackenzie.’ There wasn’t much of a surprise there because Mackenzie’s a real tough girl.”

“She’s a scrapper, so it’s nice to have her out here,” Botten added.

Mackenzie is not the first member of her family to compete in Mount Si sports; older sister Marie, who graduated in 2005, played for the Wildcat girls basketball team.

Will has wrestled a few times thus far; most recently last Monday, Jan. 18, at Newport. She has competed against boys, and her opponents’ reactions have been mixed.

“The first boy I wrestled, he came out with guns blazing, he didn’t seem intimidated at all,” Will said. “My latest competitor (at Newport), when he came out, he seemed a little more timid. He was very polite to me, helped me up.”

While her Knights opponent was trying to be classy, Will isn’t looking for anything easy.

“I’d rather be treated as just another wrestler,” she said.

Botten says his team is doing just that.

“The wrestling team is one of the most accepting and it’s really like a brotherhood and now we’ve got a sister in here, so it’s kind of cool,” he said.

Schlotfeldt also sees that acceptance in the team.

“They really have embraced it,” he said. “It’s a great setting for us, and maybe it’ll encourage more girls to come out.”

Will has mixed feelings about being the first competitive girls’ wrestler in the history of the school.

“It’s definitely pretty cool being the first at anything, but I’m also kind of saddened by it,” she said.

“Wrestling is really fun, it’s not just a boys’ sport,” Will added. “Girls really should go out for it; hopefully, it’s inspiration for other girls.

“It is a challenge, but girls should not be afraid of any challenge,” she said. “We are just as capable of doing anything.”

Snoqualmie Valley Record Sports contributing Writer Rhett Workman can be reached at rwteam97@yahoo.com or 425-888-2311.

Leopards remain unbeaten in duals

Webster, N.Y. —

Craig Potter The Webster Schroeder brother-sister combo of Tanya and Harley Kusse of made Monroe County wrestling history on Saturday at the county tournament at Schroeder. They became the first brother-sister pair to place in the tournament as it is believed that Tanya is the first girl to ever place in the tournament. Harley took third at 135 while Tanya was sixth at 119.

Several firsts were recorded on Saturday in the Monroe County wrestling tournament at Webster Schroeder High School.

Schroeder's Tanya Kusse placed sixth in the 119 weight class. It was announced as the probable first time a girl wrestler has placed in the Monroe County Tournament.

However, it definitely became a first when her brother Harley Kusse finished third at 135 as they became the first brother-sister combo to place in the county wrestling tournament.

“We worked hard throughout the season and this was one of our goals, to place in counties, and we did it,” Harley Kusse said.

Tanya added, “It feels good to do sibling and both place. Everyone knows us now.”

Ironically, it was Tanya who got Harley interested in wrestling.

“He started then he got really good,” Tanya said of her brother. “It's given us both huge benefits.”
And now they are both part of history.

Harley Kusse and Alec Panipinto (145) were the top Webster finishers as both came in third.

The Rangers also continued to make history as Spencerport claimed its 20th consecutive Monroe County Tournament trophy.

The Rangers' margin of victory wasn't as great as last year's 100 points as Spencerport captured first place with 266 points. Penfield once again took second as the Patriots amassed 185.5 points. Pittsford was third with 146.5. Schroeder placed 10th with 86 points and Webter Thomas finished with 37 points.

Entering the semifinal round, Spencerport held only a seven-point lead on Penfield, but the Rangers had nine wrestlers qualify for the semis while the Patriots advanced six into the round.

“It's tough to stretch a lead in a tournament until you get into the consolations semis and pushing guys into the finals,” said Spencerport coach Tony D’Ambra. “We kind of scored our most points in the semis and consi-semis. We expected it to be close up until those rounds.”

The Rangers crowned four champions - Geoff Brown (103), Paul Morabito (145), Joe Inzana (160), and Enzo Zagari (215) and placed 13 wrestlers. Penfield placed nine, including two champs - Brandon Ling (112) and Brandon Contreras (189), who was named the heavy weights Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Pittsford’s 135 champion, C.J. Howard, received the light weights MOW award.

Adam Willman became the first Victor wrestler to earn a Monroe County League title. The 152-pound senior earned a 1-0 decision in the final over Spencerport sophomore Roy Daniels.

Willman's second period escape was all he needed.

“I'm really excited,” said Willman. “I'm the first Monroe County champion from Victor. I've been working real hard for this day.

“I'm going to keep working hard towards sectionals and the post season.”

Craig Potter can be reached at (585) 394-0770 Ext. 351 or at cpotter@messengerpostmedia.com

Local grappler garners commonwealth gold

Posted By Vince Burke/Staff writer

Posted 2 hours ago 1/27/10

Justine Bouchard, 24, is preparing for her next meet as one of the top female wrestlers in Canada, but also as the 2009 Commonwealth Champion, after securing the title this past December, in India.

"Next year it is the games, but this year was the small competition, that gets people out and ready for the game next year," she said.

Bouchard said she had three matches and two of them were competing in their home country of India, and the third wrestler Bouchard faced was from South Africa. She made her way to the final, but found the gold medal match tough as she competed against one of the grapplers from India and could only score a point after many tries at a take down.

"After my eight shot, I finally got one point. It was just that persistence I guess. I came away from the match and my coach goes, 'OK, you take eight shots to get one, that's OK. At least you got it'," said Bouchard.

"I think it was a little tougher, but I did expect it to be tough, but I think I wasn't as disciplined as my shots could have been. I say it was eight shots, but they weren't very crisp, but I just thought, this girl should fall over for me, and she didn't"

Bouchard said capturing gold was a good feeling, and said it also gave her a sense of what the competition would be like if she competes at the Commonwealth Games next year.

Olympic hopes

In the meantime, Bouchard trains and gets ready for another competition in February, this one in Colorado, and another in France, the same month.

It is all a road to a possible Olympic appearance that Bouchard is shooting for.

"I am totally enjoying every opportunity I get to go to tournaments, but the (Olympics) is definitely my ultimate goal, and especially the 2012 (Olympics) is in my sights right now," Bouchard.

"I don't know how much I will wrestle after that, If I make it. By then I will be 26, and I know other women who have wrestled past that age, but I don't know, we'll see."

Bouchard said right now she is considered the number one Canadian female wrestler and hopes to keep that spot going into the Olympic trials in 2011.

"At least (stay) in the top three. If you are placed top three, it just kind of helps you, because it is like a tier (system). Everyone else that wants to wrestle in your weight class has to kind of fight just to get to you, whoever is number three and then number two and one," she said.

"It is like a single elimination tournament. Being (in the top three) just kind of helps you."

Home grown

Bouchard said she owes her success to her start in Wetaskiwin on the wrestling program at Wetaskiwin Composite High School, under the tutelage of coach Mike Spinney.

"I honestly believe I had one of the best coaches growing up. He really knew when to push me and give me that experience. My very first year, I think I went to two tournaments total. It was to get me into it and get me used to it. I ended up coming back for the second year, and I had that hunger and I enjoyed the sport," explained Bouchard.

"That is when he said, like I didn't really have the choice no more, I was like, you are going to this tournament. He just knew that it was the year and the time to start pushing me. He did that throughout, even in my last year in Grade 12, I think I was more or less dominating my age level and he just knew that was the time to put me in tournaments that were university level."

Bouchard competed in open university level tournaments during her last year of high school in 2004, and was wrestling against 20-year olds.

"I'm glad he did that, because it may have been a shock to all of a sudden jump into university level wrestling and not notice the skill difference. There really is. I think he was so good at knowing when to push me up a level."

– vburke@wetaskiwintimes.com

Ithaca girl finds wrestling rewarding

By Pat Bohn •Ith-sports@gannett.com • January 27, 2010, 8:25 pm

For Ithaca High School senior Rebecca Myers, joining the Little Red wrestling team was a natural extension from an already active lifestyle. And perhaps a bit of serendipity.

"I've always liked grappling sports," Myers said. "I'd done Judo from when I was 5 and I practiced where the Cornell wrestlers practiced, so I got interested."

Myers, who wrestles in the 103-pound weight class, said she was drawn to wrestling because of its physicality.

"I like that it works your body and mind at the same time," she said. "It means you can't slack off."

Unfortunately, knee injuries delayed Myers' start on the varsity team her sophomore season, and she was unable to compete. But she continued to train at the Finger Lakes Wrestling Center and recovered in time for the season last year.

Then came the adjustment period.

"I didn't know what to expect," Myers said of her initial experiences on the mat. "The intensity of the matches, it can be a shell shock, and if you don't get used to it, you're (in trouble)."

Myers said after a few matches, her nerves calmed down and she could focus better. And while she's struggled at times in the win-loss column, Ithaca coach Eric Parker had nothing but praise for the senior.

"She's a tough girl," Parker said. "She'll stay late; she'll do whatever it takes. She's never looked for excuses. She's worked hard for everything she's achieved. She leads by example."

Myers too, says many of the positive changes that have occurred over the last two seasons are of the off-the-mat variety.

"I haven't had the best record," she said. "But (wrestling) changed me. I'm a more mature person, and I've found what I can achieve."

Parker said, "She understands the bigger picture behind wrestling, and she'll be a successful person in whatever she does."

Myers will be going to Rutgers University in the fall to study biology. The Scarlet Knights have a club wrestling team she's hopeful she can join, although she said the presence of a team to compete with wasn't the deciding factor, calling it simply "a nice benefit."

Chances are, it will turn out to be a benefit for those in Camden as well.

Local grappler garners commonwealth gold

Posted By Vince Burke/Staff writer

Posted 15 hours ago

A championship wrestler who got her start in Wetaskiwin, is hoping her recent success will lead her to grappling for gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.

Justine Bouchard, 24, is preparing for her next meet as one of the top female wrestlers in Canada, but also as the 2009 Commonwealth Champion, after securing the title this past December, in India.

"Next year it is the games, but this year was the small competition, that gets people out and ready for the game next year," she said.

Bouchard said she had three matches and two of them were competing in their home country of India, and the third wrestler Bouchard faced was from South Africa. She made her way to the final, but found the gold medal match tough as she competed against one of the grapplers from India and could only score a point after many tries at a take down.

"After my eight shot, I finally got one point. It was just that persistence I guess. I came away from the match and my coach goes, 'OK, you take eight shots to get one, that's OK. At least you got it'," said Bouchard.

"I think it was a little tougher, but I did expect it to be tough, but I think I wasn't as disciplined as my shots could have been. I say it was eight shots, but they weren't very crisp, but I just thought, this girl should fall over for me, and she didn't"

Bouchard said capturing gold was a good feeling, and said it also gave her a sense of what the competition would be like if she competes at the Commonwealth Games next year.

Olympic hopes

In the meantime, Bouchard trains and gets ready for another competition in February, this one in Colorado, and another in France, the same month.

It is all a road to a possible Olympic appearance that Bouchard is shooting for.

"I am totally enjoying every opportunity I get to go to tournaments, but the (Olympics) is definitely my ultimate goal, and especially the 2012 (Olympics) is in my sights right now," Bouchard.

"I don't know how much I will wrestle after that, If I make it. By then I will be 26, and I know other women who have wrestled past that age, but I don't know, we'll see."

Bouchard said right now she is considered the number one Canadian female wrestler and hopes to keep that spot going into the Olympic trials in 2011.

"At least (stay) in the top three. If you are placed top three, it just kind of helps you, because it is like a tier (system). Everyone else that wants to wrestle in your weight class has to kind of fight just to get to you, whoever is number three and then number two and one," she said.

"It is like a single elimination tournament. Being (in the top three) just kind of helps you."

Home grown

Bouchard said she owes her success to her start in Wetaskiwin on the wrestling program at Wetaskiwin Composite High School, under the tutelage of coach Mike Spinney.

"I honestly believe I had one of the best coaches growing up. He really knew when to push me and give me that experience. My very first year, I think I went to two tournaments total. It was to get me into it and get me used to it. I ended up coming back for the second year, and I had that hunger and I enjoyed the sport," explained Bouchard.

"That is when he said, like I didn't really have the choice no more, I was like, you are going to this tournament. He just knew that it was the year and the time to start pushing me. He did that throughout, even in my last year in Grade 12, I think I was more or less dominating my age level and he just knew that was the time to put me in tournaments that were university level."

Bouchard competed in open university level tournaments during her last year of high school in 2004, and was wrestling against 20-year olds.

"I'm glad he did that, because it may have been a shock to all of a sudden jump into university level wrestling and not notice the skill difference. There really is. I think he was so good at knowing when to push me up a level."

– vburke@wetaskiwintimes.com

Scholar Athlete of the Week 1/26/10: Tanya Kusse

Posted at: 01/27/2010 3:58 PM | Updated at: 01/27/2010 4:06 PM
By: Robin De Wind | WHEC.com

Webster Schroeder's Tanya Kusse isn't your average girl. She carries a 91 average and excels in math and science. She says, “My parents brought me up that way school will get you far education is number one so I worked hard and I've made them proud to keep it up.”

Her parents also brought her up to push her boundaries. “My parents joked around about how I should join wrestling a tomboy I tried it and stuck with it I loved it.”

Tanya is on the boy’s varsity wrestling team. She started wrestling in the 8th grade and worked to get her body in a proper weight class to be competitive. Last year, she traveled around the country to Colorado, Michigan and North Dakota, becoming a five-time female wrestling All American. She enjoys competing with the boys and she's been successful. “A lot of them are surprised actually most of them know me but there are some who don't take me seriously until step on the mat. It's nice to prove them wrong. Most of them know that I try my hardest. They have to step it up if they want to beat me. They take me seriously once we get on the mat. It's just wrestling it doesn't matter if I'm a boy or girl.”

Tanya is the first girl in Section V to receive a scholarship to wrestle She will attend Lindwood University in Missouri in the fall. Tanya says, “I want to go as far as I can go. I really have no set plans. Maybe I'll make it to worlds but I’ll go as far as it takes me. If I have the opportunity, I'll take it. I won't turn anything down.”

For more Rochester, N.Y. sports, go to our website www.whec.com.

We are right in the middle of wrestling season.

These days, a few teams have started to look different and more diverse on the mat.

Bibb County has five female wrestlers.

This year, the Perry Panthers added a female to their roster.

Haleigh Wilson says, for her, the adventure started out as a joke, but now she's pinning her hopes on a four-year varsity challenge.

Head coach Torrey Howard remembers when the talk first began about a certain freshman wrestling for Perry.

"Coach Daniels, who does a great job with getting kids to come out, and he said we have a cheerleader that wants to wrestle," he recalled.

Freshman Haleigh Wilson says she didn't start her high school career with the goal of hitting the mat. Things just kind of fell into place when she had a conversation with a coach.

"So, I went to him and said, 'I want to do wrestling,' and he said, 'Ha ha ha, girls can't wrestle,' and I said, 'Is that a rule that girls can't wrestle?,' and he said, 'No,' so I said, 'I'll be out there after cheerleading, you betcha,'" Haleigh said with a smile.

As you can tell she's spunky.

In a sport that's loud, emotional, and extremely physical, Haleigh's coaches say her scrappiness helps her fit in.

"The hardest part is when she pins one of our guys, but now it's so common, they used to catch flack, but now she does such a good job we're used to it," Howard said.

She has an advantage over the opposite sex. It's a good bet none of the guys she wrestles with or against have ever worn a cheerleading outfit.

"She's tough, I can say that, and with her being a cheerleader, she has a lot of flexibility that helps her out a lot. Everything we teach her, it glues and I don't know if that's her being female and just smarter than the rest of the guys," Howard explained.

Wrestling by mere definition is a contact sport, so Haleigh had to get used to the guys being all over her.

"It's weird, because in wrestling, you're in weird positions, so you push through," Haleigh said.

Coach Howard says the guys don't notice the ponytail on the bench as much now. Haleigh is just another wrestler trying to earn points for Perry.

"They gravitate towards her and just like one of the guys, they joke with her, and I think that's excellent," Howard said. "And as far as her being a different sex, I don't think the team sees that now. They see her as one of their own."

Haleigh is a freshman competing in the 112-pound level.

She says the guys are really fast and so far she hasn't earned a pin.

But Coach Howard says that will change.

He told us if she continues to work as hard as she's doing now, he says she'll kick the guys' tails by the time she's a senior.

Paige Nemec, Varsity Wrestler Sets Ohio Record

Paige Nemec, high school senior, has just set the record for the first girl in Ohio history to win 100 career varsity wrestling matches. She has a record of 100-30, and all but one of the match’s were against boys.

“There’s always going to be people that don’t agree with women competing in male-dominated sports, but I think some people have respect for me because I think I put in just as much work as the boys,” she told press. “I see myself as a wrestler, not a girl wrestler. I just want people to accept me as a wrestler and not worry about, ‘She’s a girl, and some guys won’t wrestle her.’ I don’t see any difference at all.”

Paige isn’t just an amazing wrestler, she is also a great soccer player with 65 career goals all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. While she has been offered a few wrestling scholarships, she has chosen to accept a soccer scholarship. She will be missed in the wrestling community, but will not be forgotten

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California

California: El Centro girls wrestler wins fourth CIF title

Also, Foothills Christian seeks fitting league home.

Girls wrestling is one of those exciting sports that is hardly recognized by the high school powers that be.

Nonetheless, El Centro’s Central Union High senior Katarina Perez captured the girls CIF Southern title for the fourth time in as many tries.

Perez competed in the 122-pound weight class. With the win she has two CIF Northern titles and two CIF Southern titles in her high school career.

"Now that I have four titles, I think this is the best one for me, mostly because it’s my last one," Perez told The Imperial Valley Press. "I had a close finals match and had to dig deep and find a way to win, and just overall I have worked harder than I ever had this year. I just pushed myself, so it feels good to win this one."

Perez qualifies for the girls state tournament in Hanford on Saturday and is hoping to claim her third state title.

"It’s a tough tournament, so I need to wrestle more aggressive to end my high school career with a bang and give myself an early birthday present," Perez told The Imperial Valley Press.

Perez has been wrestling for 10 years, and now that her high school career is nearing an end she is ready for the challenges that await her at the collegiate level.

"I’m proud of the way I’ve been able to grow as a wrestler in high school, from being able to wrestle with the boys and hold my own to winning a few state titles," Perez said. "Right now I have my eyes set on Lindenwood University (in Missouri). They have a good and new women’s program and I’m familiar with the coach already. I’m ready to go and help the program and meet new people and have new experiences."=

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