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SGP wrestling coach trying to make up for lost time

Goulding participating in sport that she wasn't allowed to before

11/18/2001

By RANDY JENNINGS / The Dallas Morning News

GRAND PRAIRIE – For most of the school day, Erica Goulding is an unassuming South Grand Prairie English teacher.

But when the clock hits 2:15 p.m. each weekday, the 24-year-old Goulding changes into her other identity, as one of the few female wrestling coaches in the state.

"I originally volunteered to help with the team, and, the next thing I knew, I was an assistant coach," Goulding said.

Goulding's maiden name is Reinbold when she graduated from South Grand Prairie in 1995. The Reinbold name is a familiar one in Grand Prairie wrestling circles. Two of her brothers, Matt and Jeff, wrestled at South Grand Prairie.

Her sister, Karlie, is a manager on the current team.

"I must have spent 2,000 hours at wrestling tournaments watching my brothers," Goulding said. "Then there were the times when they came home from practice testing out a new move they had learned that day."

Goulding wanted to wrestle when she was in high school, but she was slightly ahead of her time.

"It was still a club sport and they wouldn't let girls wrestle," she said.

That's the best reason why there are few female wrestling coaches in Texas. The sport hasn't been established long enough to produce female coaches who actually participated.

The girls program at South Grand Prairie currently consists of 20 wrestlers. The best female wrestler, junior Daisy Callado, watched 11 girls quit the team two seasons ago, leaving her as the only female team member.

"If Mrs. Goulding had been around two years ago, I don't think so many girls would have quit," Callado said. "A lot of the girls were overwhelmed by having to compete in front of a crowd. It is hard the first year, and that's the group Mrs. Goulding is focusing on."

Goulding doesn't try to bluff her way through practice.

"The girls know I didn't wrestle. That's why I was so happy to see us do well last week in our scrimmage with Plano East," Goulding said. "There was a little bit of tension before we went, but I tried to calm their fears."

Goulding relied on Callado to help get the girls ready mentally for outside competition.

"One of the things we talked about, for instance, was no matter what happens, don't cry," Goulding said.

For the technical moves, coach Mike Eaton is available.

"Mrs. Goulding knows technical things, too, but she is really a friend to the girls," Callado said.

Coaching has given Goulding the chance to actually climb on the mat and wrestle, like she wanted to do in high school.

"The girls want to wrestle me," Goulding said.

She consents but says it isn't easy.

"I'm just 24, but I feel old," Goulding said.

Goulding's husband of five years, Jeremy, wasn't surprised to see his wife so involved. Jeff, her brother, "laughed a while" when he first heard. Matt asked her if she knew what she was doing.

"It is great to have Erica," Eaton said. "She brings a lot of energy and excitement. I know her family well. The women's program is growing."

Goulding returns the compliment.

"I'm so lucky to have Mike Eaton to coach with," she said. "He has been patient. I love this school. I want to be involved as much as I can."