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InterMat Editorial
Women Are Not Invading Wrestling, They Are Helping It

by John Fuller 9/7/2000

Recently, a group of United States women got together in Bulgaria. No,
these women were not protesting anything. In fact, they were celebrating
something - the sport of wrestling.

The Women's World Championships were held this past weekend, and the
United States team - Clarissa Chun, Patricia Miranda, Tina George-Wilson,
Sara McMann, Kristie Marano and Iris Smith - had a good showing, placing
fifth as a team. And this was without two of their top stars, Tricia
Saunders and Stephanie Murata, who were both out due to injury.

But this was not about competition for me. It was great to see so many
women from so many countries competing for a world championship in
wrestling. Women's wrestling may be added as an Olympic sport in 2004, and
it would seem wrestling needs that to happen.

Let's face it, NBC, ESPN or anyone else are not going to ease wrestling
into a prime time slot anytime soon, unless, we add a little controversy.

Women's wrestling should not be considered controversial anymore, but it
is by many old-fashioned wizards who think women should stay at home, cook,
clean and do laundry. I am not saying that wouldn't be nice, but it is no
longer appropriate.

Hopefully people realize how much women's wrestling can help men's
wrestling survive.

Wrestling is generally thought of as a men's sport. Sports such as
gymnastics are categorized as a women's sport.

If schools begin seeing women's wrestling as a sport, hopefully they
decide to add that to their athletic curriculum. Now, with court systems and
Title IX being where they are today, it is a lot less likely a men's sport
will be dropped where women also compete in the parallel sport.

By adding women's spots, this will also help schools become more Title IX
compliant, also lessening the chance of a male sport being dropped. This is
a no-lose situation for both genders; something that hasn't been present in
college athletics in a long time, or maybe ever.

The University of Minnesota-Morris took a major step in women's
athletics. Not because they dropped a couple of men's teams or added a
traditional sport like soccer or basketball to the women's collegiate
circle, but because they added a women's wrestling team.

The University took a big step in supporting this addition, and since,
other schools have followed.

Currently, more than 50 countries sponsor a women's wrestling team, and
2,361 girls compete on high school women's wrestling teams spanning over 661
schools, which does not include any of the girls on boys teams.

By continuing to impress the world, the US Women's Team could be largely
responsible for helping to save wrestling. If men's and women's teams hold
back-to-back duals, think of the amount of people that would come to a dual
meet - just to see what is about to happen.

That is not supposed to be meant in some perverted or sick way, but many
people will show up just because they do not know what to expect.

Maybe it would help people see the beauty of this sport. That these
wrestlers are not barbarians. Most people do not even know new
weight-cutting rules were ever put into effect. I still go to a holiday
dinner and hear my uncle talk about wrestling, and how he "knows what those
guys do to lose weight."

Actually, he doesn't, but we all know that old-fashioned people must see
it to believe it. I guarantee my uncle will go watch a bunch of women in a
dual meet. He may never go watch a Michigan-Michigan State dual, though,
which takes place about 35 minutes from his house.

I must admit, I was skeptical at first too, but I wouldn't dare step on
the mat with some of these women. They take it seriously, not as some plot
at revenge towards males. They are wrestlers - no gender involved.

And let credit be given where credit is due, and credit is due to USA
Wrestling, for being one of the few original supporters of women's
wrestling.

Now, women compete in events such as the World Championships, Sunkist
Open, Pan-American Games, Australian Open and much more. And thanks to the
marketing and promotion of USA Wrestling, women at the youth level are
becoming more involved as well.

I do not have exact numbers, but some of these youth tournaments,
including the National High School Women's Wrestling Championships, are
packed full of women, who may now aspire to become an Olympian at the sport
they love.

As you think about whether women's wrestling can help this sport as a
whole, think about this. Are we fighting to save wrestling, or just men's
wrestling?

I know how every woman who has signed a petition or donated money and
time will answer that. They are helping us, can we help them?

Questions or comments on this editorial can be sent to
fuller@intermatwrestle.com

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Cross country coach grateful to have full team

Fort Worth Star - Telegram; Fort Worth, Tex.;

Sep 1, 2000; BLANE BACHELOR;

Seven may not sound like a big number, but for boys cross country coach
Sammy Epps, it's just about right.

That's how many runners Epps figures will be consistent performers at the
varsity level this season for Bowie, which has its first meet Saturday at
Burleson.

Incidentally, this also marks the seventh year Epps has been head coach for
the Volunteers.

"By far this is the best year," Epps said. "I've never had a cross country
team with this many in number and experience."

Of course, Epps is a little cautious about showering his athletes with
praise too fast, because they have yet to participate in a competitive meet.
But Epps has reasons for early optimism, since he anticipates that most of
his runners will be able to compete at the varsity level this year. Last
season, only Michael Cother, now a junior, did so.

This weekend's meet should provide the first-time varsity runners an idea of
what lies ahead this season, Epps said.

"They've been training and training and training, and wondering why they're
not competing," Epps said. "But this will get them in the right frame of
mind for when they go back to work next week. This will help them become
more focused."

New faces for girls cross country

Girls cross country coach Doris Grooms has several new faces on her roster.
An exchange student from Denmark, a wrestler, a freshman standout and a
transfer from L.D. Bell are among the runners Grooms hopes will contribute
for the Volunteers for the first time.

But regardless of their backgrounds, what really pleases Grooms about the
upcoming season is that the majority of her 15 runners have experience in
cross country.

"This is the first time I've had this many to compete on both levels,"
Grooms said. "In the past, I've had to insert sprinters, and I don't see
myself having to do that this year."

Grooms has high expectations for freshman Erica Bennett, as well as
sophomore Beatrice Metobo, who returns from last season. In addition, junior
Dazyl Baniago, who transferred from L.D. Bell, could have an impact, as well
as senior Angela Martinez. Martinez, a three- time state champion wrestler,
decided to participate in cross country to keep her conditioning for
wrestling, Grooms said.

Sophie Nielson is an exchange student from Denmark that Grooms said could
eventually help at the varsity level.

Hockey standout

Junior Nat Kretchun was the leading scorer for the Arlington School District
team in the summer season of the Southwestern Bell Metroplex High School
Hockey League. He scored nine points on seven goals and two assists; two of
his goals were scored shorthanded and one was a game-winner.

The Wolverines finished the summer competition with a 5-2-1 record. The tie
was with league champion Plano, 4-4, in the only meeting between the teams.

Setter out indefinitely

Senior setter Kelly McElreath is out at least a week with an injury in her
right foot she suffered in Tuesday's volleyball tri- match.

McElreath said the injury could be soft tissue damage or possibly a hairline
fracture near her big toe. She is waiting for further results from a
radiologist and will have to undergo at least three rehabilitation sessions
for the injury.

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