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WRESTLING FOR A SHOT
AS OPPORTUNITIES GROW, FEMALE WRESTLERS FEEL CONFLICTED
By Elliott Almond
Mercury News 2/16/03
Patricia Miranda had to cut a deal with her Brazilian-born father to become a wrestler.
Jose Miranda, a South Bay physician, agreed to let his daughter compete against the boys at Saratoga High if she maintained straight A's. She kept the bargain all the way to Stanford, where it took Miranda five years to win a match as the only woman on the Cardinal wrestling team.
Now she has deferred Yale law school as she attempts to wrestle at the 2004 Olympics -- which will be another first for female athletes. Miranda and her contemporaries are the latest to watch a bastion of masculinity take a tumble.
``I am not doing this to make a statement about women,'' Miranda said Saturday from the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
She's simply doing it for herself. Miranda, 23, didn't compete in the Titan Games at San Jose State this weekend because her weight division -- 105 1/2 pounds -- was not contested. But she symbolizes the path women have chosen to reach the ultimate stage in a sport once considered the sole province of men.
Women's wrestling will be the only new sport in Athens, comprising four weight classes. The Olympic seal is evidence that the nascent sport is growing; Menlo College is one of six colleges fielding varsity women's teams.
About 3,000 girls compete in high schools, according to USA Wrestling, the sport's national governing body. Hawaii and Texas are the only states with separate girls and boys divisions, but California is considering it. California has 800 female wrestlers, second only to Texas. It has scheduled a girls exhibition at the state championships this year.
Miranda became captain at Saratoga High after overcoming initial resistance, not unlike other female competitors.
``In high school, I had a woman say, `She should be cooking for them boys, not wrestling them,' '' Sara McMann recalled.
Tina George's family in Cleveland thought she was attending track practice before learning their square-shoulder daughter had been wrestling boys for a year.
Added McMann, who lost to Lene Aanes of Norway on Saturday: ``Girls who wrestle are a tougher breed. They've taken a lot of ridicule.''
Like the Olympic weightlifters, pole vaulters and ice-hockey and water-polo players before them, female wrestlers underscore Title IX's positive influence. The 30-year-old legislation has helped create opportunities for women in all arenas, but it has become a springboard for a national debate about athletics.
Female wrestlers find themselves in an awkward position because while they embrace the impact of Title IX, they see some of the side effects on wrestling programs. Men's wrestling teams have been eliminated at hundreds of colleges as more emphasis has been placed on women's programs.
``Without the male programs that developed my wrestling, I wouldn't be anything,'' said Miranda, who beat the 2002 world champion last week. ``Title IX is really right on in spirit. But I think the wrestling community still has legitimate gripes about how Title IX is being implemented.''
George, who overwhelmed Russia's Natalia Ivachko on Saturday, also is conflicted. When she heard three years ago that women's wrestling would be included in Athens, she celebrated. ``But it came at the expense of cutting some men's weight classes,'' she lamented.
That hasn't stopped women from taking advantage of the situation. McMann never envisioned wrestling beyond high school. Now she's part of a close group that trains relentlessly for the chance to taste the Olympic dream. As they inch ever closer to Athens, the competition intensifies for the few available slots.
``In order to achieve your dreams, you have to destroy theirs,'' McMann said. ``That's the beauty of sport.''
Some say it takes a special personality to enter the sweaty atmosphere of takedowns and pins. McMann and George rejected a number of sports before settling on wrestling.
``I don't think I could be any other way,'' said McMann, a theater major at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.
Those who know her would agree.
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Wrestler serious about winning state title
Hurst L.D. Bell's Shelly's strategy is to leave legacy as a champion
02/21/2003
RICK KRETZSCHMAR / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
Hurst L.D. Bell wrestler Jessica Surratt said teammate Suekoilya Shelly
is easily amused away from wrestling mats. Surratt tells a simple
knock-knock joke, making Shelly laugh with a big smile.
Then there are the times when Shelly is in what Surratt calls "her
wrestling mode." Surratt has arms and legs dotted with bruises as evidence.
"If you do something to her, she returns it to you tenfold," said
Surratt, rubbing a bruise on her upper left arm. "She doesn't feel anything.
She's ice."
The mode has made Shelly one of the best female wrestlers in the
eight-year history of the sport in Texas. Her quest this weekend is to cap that
legacy with one thing that has eluded her – a state title.
Shelly is 18-0 entering the UIL state wrestling championships, which
begin Friday in Austin. Shelly has qualified for state four years and has
finished third in the state at 128 pounds the last two seasons. Shelly was The
News' Girls Wrestler of the Year in 2002.
It's a strong resume, forged from another heavy-contact sport. Shelly
tried tae kwon do for the first time when she was 4. She said that background
helped when she started wrestling three seasons ago, when her older
sister Carmen talked her into joining South Grand Prairie's first girls
wrestling team in 1999.
Shelly transferred to L.D. Bell the next year. She said her wrestling
went to another level under then-coach Chuck Brown, who now coaches at
Frisco.
"Coach Brown got me to do the strategy," Shelly said. "He still calls
me all the time. He wants to know about my grades, my senior project."
Shelly said her wrestling strategy improved last summer, when she
competed in freestyle wrestling for Team Texas, including competition in a
national
tournament in Fargo, N.D., in July.
"It's no longer a muscling exercise for her. It's more finesse," L.D.
Bell coach Bo Medley said. "From her sophomore year to now, she has become
quite the tactician."
Shelly's skills have been challenged the last two weeks. Because of
what Medley said was a misunderstanding of the starting time for girls at
the Region II meet, Shelly had to be bumped up to 138 pounds for the
competition, which is where she will compete at the state meet. Shelly
normally wrestles in the 128-pound weight class.
Shelly won the 138-pound class at the Region II meet, but she had to
win an epic match against Team Texas teammate Glory Dalton of Arlington Sam
Houston, 2-1 in double overtime. Besides Dalton, the state field also
includes Hereford's Astrid Gomez, who defeated Shelly in a 128-pound
semifinal last season.
Shelly has compensated for the higher weight class by sparring with
Surratt, who wrestles at 185 pounds but weighs closer to 165. Shelly has shown
strength in the weight room, bench pressing 20 more pounds than
Surratt.
Shelly said she wishes she were still competing at 128 pounds. The
change in weight class has not affected what Medley thinks of her legacy.
"From a head coaching standpoint, she is one of the best in the state,"
Medley said. "I want her to get a state title, but I don't want it to
consume her. Between us, we haven't talked about it."
Shelly will have a chance for another legacy. She will wrestle at
Cumberland (Ky.) College, one of a handful of women's college wrestling programs.
Shelly said her eventual goal is to compete in the 2008 Olympics.
First, there's her last shot at a high school gold medal.
"People in school tell me all the time that I'm one of the best in the
state," Shelly said. "I think whatever happens at state, I will be OK
with it."
UIL Wrestling Championships, Friday-Saturday, Austin Convention Center.
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Sectional champion Becker aiming high
Brookfield Central star targets rival
By JOE SHINNERS
Special to the Journal Sentinel
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2003
DIVISION 2
Milwaukee Lutheran Sectional
The big story was the performance of New Berlin West senior Vicki
Scheeler , who was trying to become the first female to qualify for the individual
state tournament. Scheeler (18-7) won her first-round match but lost
her next two - including a 7-6 decision to Campbellsport's Spencer
Rodenkirch in a wrestle-back - and failed to advance.
----------------------------------------------------
Wood breaks new ground as female wrestler at Mount Pleasant High School.
By KRISTEN PETERCA
photo@thehawkeye.com 2/23/03
At first glance, Karla Wood appears to be a typical 14–year–old high school girl. As one looks closer one will see, however, that she is anything but typical.
She is a female wrestler, the first on her Mount Pleasant High School team.
What is it like to be a female in the predominantly male sport?
For Wood it has become a normal part of her daily life. She began wrestling last year and is now a freshman at Mount Pleasant. The sport, however, is nothing new to the 103–pound athlete. Her father, Patrick Wood, has been a wrestling coach at North Cedar High School for about 13 years, and as a result, Karla has been around the sport her whole life.
But how do the boys feel about wrestling a girl? Especially if she beats them?
Wood receives different reactions from opponents if she wins a match. Some go off crying, some congratulate her.
Jamy Ball has coached at Mount Pleasant for 16 years and says this is the first time he has ever had a girl wrestle.
Wood has been an important part of the Panthers' team this year. During a 17–team tournament in Centerville, Wood took fourth place, pinning the fourth–seeded wrestler in her weight class.
She helped Mount Pleasant win a dual meet against Fairfield on Parent's Night. Ball recalled the gym being packed with parents, the high school's band, dance team and other fans. The meet came down to the two final matches and the crowd had its eyes glued to Wood's mat. She recorded a fall and helped Mount Pleasant take the lead.
Wood also placed third at sectionals Feb. 17. She is the first female to ever place at the event.
Most of Wood's teammates support her. They expressed that she has done really well this season, is a quick learner, and has a lot of guts to be wrestling with the boys. They say it is a little different to wrestle a girl, and tease her from time to time, but overall they like having her around.
"It's not that big of a deal," said sophomore teammate Nick Wesely. "It's my first year and Karla is showing me the ropes."
Assistant coach Linc Davis feels it has been a good experience having Wood on the team.
"She comes from a good wrestling background so she knows what she's doing," Davis said, "She works just as hard as anyone else."
"If not harder," interjected assistant coach Anthony Blint, who feels that if Wood wants to be out there wrestling, it is her choice.
"She works hard and always has a good attitude about it," said sophomore teammate Josh Maher. Maher is also Wood's boyfriend, and says he does not mind her wrestling the boys.
"I just don't understand how she stands it," he said referring to the times Wood is teased by her teammates about being a girl.
Wood is probably tougher than the average teenage girl. During the season she usually woke up about 6 a.m. and headed to school around 6:30 to run before class began. She showered and got ready for the day, doing her hair and makeup in the girls' locker room, then headed off to P.E. class. After school she went to practice, which consisted of workouts, practicing technique, weight lifting, and usually lasted about two hours. Then she hit the showers again and headed home around 6 p.m.
Wood's twin sister, Kayla, kept statistics for the team.
"I'm very proud of her," said Kayla, who likes to watch her sister wrestle.
Kayla is a big supporter of her sister and often lends a helping hand. She assisted Karla with pulling up her hair and fitting into her headgear before each match.
Wood ended this season with an 11–24 record. After winning her final match, she rushed off the mat to receive a hug from Ball. She ended up in the crowd with her family.
"I think it's great what she's done," said Mary Mueller, Wood's grandmother.
Wood's stepmother, Angie Wood, agrees and added, "Karla would do anything her father would do, and she's very strong–willed. If I ever wanted her to play girls basketball I'd have a better chance by convincing her father to coach it."
When her father was asked if he was the one who got her into wrestling he shrugged and said, "No, I think she just likes to show dad she can do it."
Being only a freshman, Wood has a bright future in the sport. After her final match, Wood did anything but relax when it was all over.
All she could say about her experience was, "I'm ready for next year."
--------------------------------------------
To the Sports Editor:
It is ironic that the erosion of Title IX's socially salubrious
requirements of gender equity in college sports was initiated by a lawsuit filed by
the college wrestling coaches' association. Considering America's curious
fascination with female wrestling, as evidenced by the recent number of
pop culture references to this sport, one would think that instead of
ending male programs, colleges and universities would advance female wrestling
as a revenue producer that would rival football and basketball.
Short of this tongue-in-cheek proposal, a policy that capped
increasingly astronomical male coaches' compensation would be a more honest approach
to the fiscal problems associated with gender equity issues. Once
universities realize that the market for male coaches has been falsely inflated by
boosters and administrators in their own ranks, they will better be
able to spread the wealth to their women's teams without sacrificing
non-revenue-producing men's sports.
ROBERT STOKES
Cayce, S.C.
The writer is a professor at the University of South Carolina.
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Oliver's Williams wins first female medal
By Colin Dunlap
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Oliver's Judy Williams showed exactly how severe a woman's scorn can be.
The 112-pound junior became the first female in City League history to
capture a wrestling medal, as she battled her male counterparts and
placed third.
"My biggest goal when I go out there is to make the boys nervous,
Williams said. "The coaches have really helped me a lot and it is great to place
third in the City."
Bears coach Lester Campbell knows Williams' success has not come easy.
"She is the hardest worker on the team, no doubt," Campbell said. "This
is great for her and I am really proud of the way she has wrestled."
-------------------
Oliver junior Judy Williams (7-10) made history as the first female
wrestler to earn a medal at the City League tournament by finishing third at 112
pounds. Williams will compete in the girls' state tournament, not
sanctioned by the PIAA, in March at Quigley.
-------------------------
Bobcats second: Two-time defending champion Plymouth edged out by Souhegan
By MARK QUIRK
Staff Sports Writer 1/23/03
AMHERST — Jade Bunk hasn’t been involved in the sport for long, but she already has a good grasp on what high school wrestling is all about.
The junior from Franklin High School moved to New Hampshire over the summer and shortly thereafter found an interest in wrestling.
It didn’t take her long to catch on, and on Saturday the transfer from Virginia became the first girl in state history to qualify for the Meet of Champions. She did so with a fourth-place finish in the 103-pound weight class at the I-M-S championship at Souhegan.
"I just go out there and do what comes to me," Bunk said. "I like wrestling because if you want it you just go out there and get it."
Bunk lost 18-4 to Richard Perry of White Mountain Regional in the consolation round, but winning isn’t everything the sport has to offer to her.
"I’m carefree. I just go out there and have fun," Bunk said. "I want to have a good time."
One local wrestler who did get his moment in the spotlight with a class title was Bill Drake of Plymouth in the 140-pound weight class.
Drake pinned Eric Lauginiger of Milford with 1:14 left in the second period to claim his first championship.
"It’s unbelievable," Drake said. "It takes so much hard work and it finally pays off in the end. It’s well worth it."
Drake held a 7-0 edge after the first period, and moved in for the kill early in the second with his favorite move, a reinforced bar with a figure four to the head.
The two looked like a pretzel rolling around on the mat for a few seconds, but once Drake locked his legs around Lauginiger’s head it was only a matter of seconds before the match was over.
"I’ve hit it all season. Once I’ve got the bar I feel I can do it," Drake said. "I’ve pinned at least 15 kids in that. It’s my move."
The two-time defending champion Bobcats finished second in the team scoring with 161 points. Host Souhegan claimed the title with 169.5 and Pelham was third with 140.
Franklin came in ninth with 58 points, Newfound was 10th with 40.5, Winnisquam was 11th with 34 and St. Thomas Aquinas finished 14th with 14. Two other Plymouth wrestlers won titles. Dan Pasquarella beat Scott Leavitt of ConVal 16-7 to claim the 189-pound class crown and Mike Moore beat Bow’s Ben Schaefer 3-2 at 275.
The top four wrestlers from each weight class advance to next weeks Meet of Champions being held at Timberlane.
Other locals who achieved the honor were: Joe Gibbons of Plymouth (second at 103), Rich Collingham of Plymouth (second 112), Bobby LaPlante of Franklin (fourth at 112), Mike Morin of St. Thomas (third at 119), Bryan Pellegrino (fourth at 119), Tom Mowry of Plymouth (second at 135), Jeremy Walker of Winnisquam (third at 135), Joel Cannon of Franklin (third at 140), Luke Champy of Winnisquam (second at 152), Jason Stockbridge of Franklin (second at 160), Davis Prutzanni of Newfound (fourth at 160), Russ Coutu of Plymouth (second at 215) and Nicholas Duquet of Newfound (fourth at 215).
---------------------------------------
Rush City girl misses try for wrestling history
Associated Press 2/24/03
RUSH CITY, Minn. - A Royalton High School sophomore missed her chance to become the first female to advance to the state tournament when she was beaten in an individual semifinal match, then injury-defaulted her next match with lingering bronchitis.
Rachael Holthaus, 16, had been determined to qualify for this week's state tournament at Xcel Energy Center.
But the dream ended Saturday in the Rush City gymnasium when the 103-pounder was beaten in the semifinals of the Class 1A, Section 6 individual tournament, then defaulted her next match.
The top two individuals in each weight class advance to the state meet.
Her father, John, is the Royals coach. He and his wife, Deb, have been keeping a close eye on their daughter's health. She was diagnosed with bronchitis 10 days ago and was too ill to compete in last weekend's section team tournament.
But the teenager was determined to compete in the Rush City match.
She opened the section meet Friday night by pinning Braham seventh-grader Allen Kelling. In Saturday's semifinals she lost to Pierz freshman Kyle Bednar 15-0. She finished the season with an 18-3 record.
Holthaus is ranked No. 1 nationally in the 100-pound weight class for high school girls and hopes to make the U.S. team for the 2004 Olympics in Greece. On March 5 she will travel with other U.S. female wrestlers to an international tournament in Sweden; her father will be an assistant coach.
Holthaus entered her first wrestling tournament as a third-grader, and said she is so used to competing against boys that "I never even think about it."
Royalton assistant coach Rick Beam said Holthaus just like any other wrestler. "She's one of the guys, only with longer hair."