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Royalton Wrestler places third in Austria

By Jason Olson, Staff Writer 7/1/03

When people ask Rachel Holthaus what she did during her summer break, the answer will not be the stereotypical, “working at the local store” or “summer camp.”

Rachel, entering her junior year at Royalton High School in the fall, placed third at the FILA (de la Fédération International de Lutte Amateur) World Cadet’s Wrestling Championships in Goezis, Austria. The tournament was held June 11-19.

Team USA placed second behind Germany in the team competition. There were 15-20 countries represented at the three day tournament.

“They (Germany) had a really strong team and won the team overall title as well,” said Rachel.

There were three matches Rachel wrestled in and she came away with a 2-1 record. Her only loss came from the eventual winner from Germany.

The only culture shock Rachel experienced was during the matches, as some of the interpretations of the rules were varying from official to official. “I think the language barrier and interpretations of some of the rules were different, which is never good. Especially in a sport that the rules can really dictate a match’s outcome,” explained her father, John.

“It was a great experience being over there,” Rachel added. “I found it to be really cool to see where our family came from and I learned that we do some of the same cultural things they do.”

To qualify for the opportunity to represent the United States at the world competitions, one must first qualify at one of three sanctioned national tournaments. The closest national team qualifying tournament for Rachel was at St. Benedict’s in mid-May. The only problem was that she was battling a case of mononucleosis. She was therefore unable to wrestle and didn’t qualify for the world championships.

Rachel was later training at the United States Olympic Developmental facilities in Colorado Springs, CO at one of her regular practice sessions, when she went up against the winner from the qualifier at St. Benedict’s.

“She dominated the match and the USA head coach approached me and convinced us to make the trip to Austria. The only problem was that we had only two weeks to prepare,” John, the head varsity wrestling coach at Royalton High School, said.

Rachel attends the Olympic Development Camp four times a year where she works out with the Senior level coaches and practices against other girls from across the country.

Next season she will be able to move to the Juniors level (17 and 18 year olds) and then the Seniors level (19 and up). “Last year in Colorado Springs I wrestled a 35 year old from Australia. She was really good, but I beat her,” Rachel said.

Her coach in Colorado Springs, Terry Steiner, wrestled with hall of fame wrestler Dan Gable at the University of Iowa and is now the senior USA world team head coach.

Rachel is currently ranked second in the United States in the Cadet level according to USA Wrestling who ranks the wrestlers according to how they perform at tournaments.

The first-place ranked girl is from New Ulm and will be competing at the U.S. Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND in October.

Last year Rachel won her age group in the inaugural year for the girls division and is excited to defend her title.

The tournament is one of the largest in the nation at the Junior level and is for boys and girls.

This year they are expecting to have over 300 girls competing on 26 mats.

The cost of competing at the higher levels is something John realizes. “Once you reach a certain level, and you have to travel to compete against higher levels of opponents, the cost is really a factor. Our trip to Austria cost $2,100 per person, so to have contributions from the community really helps us. The Little Falls Lions Club really helped us get to Austria by giving us $1,000,” he said.

Rachel trains two to four times per week in Wayzata, at a club known as the High Flyers. The club is closed for the summer, so she trains at the NCAA National Champion Minnesota Gophers practice facilities during the summer months.

When the High Flyers are open, the local wrestler spends most of her time training there with former Gopher wrestlers Gordy Morgan, Chad Erickson, Ty Fredricks and Brandon Paulson (when he’s not training for the 2004 Summer Olympics). “I really like training there, with some of the best wrestlers ever,” she said.

When Rachel returns to the mat representing Royalton high school in the 103 pound class this fall/winter, one thing will definitely be on her mind; becoming the first girl to wrestle in the state tournament.

Her plans after high school are still unknown but she hopes to attend a college near the ODP training facilities in Colorado Springs where she can keep training to become the first woman to compete with the Olympic Wrestling team.

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Eager for a fight

By Rick Anderson - Daily World sports editor 7/1/03

TAHOLAH - Sky Bell has an unusual problem for a boxer. She hits too hard.

"Her strength is her power," said Taholah Boxing Club coach Larry "Bear" Bradley. "She's really, really strong. She doesn't think so, but other girls don't want to fight her."

That's why Bell has answered the bell only three times - compiling a 2 - 1 record - in more than a year as an amateur boxer. In Bradley's view, inactivity might be the primary obstacle standing between the Taholah High School junior - to - be and an outstanding career.

"Right now, she's better than a lot of pros I've seen," the veteran trainer observed.

In fact, the 16 - year - old Moclips resident is considering a pro career, although she will put that decision on hold for at least two years.

"I want (to box as an amateur) through high school, at least," Bell said.

At 5 - feet - 2 inches and approximately 125 pounds, the friendly Bell hardly projects an intimidating presence.

But her small stature belies her strength. She bench - presses 160 pounds and has hoisted 300 pounds in the squat.

Her dedication to boxing is also beyond reproach.

"She's probably the first boxer I've had who wants to do it perfect," Bradley related. "I try to tell her you can't do it perfect right off the bat. Sometimes she gets tears in her eyes because she gets frustrated."

"I don't think I've ever done my best yet," Bell agreed.

Bell has gravitated naturally toward contact sports. She was a member of the predominantly male North Beach High School wrestling team as a freshman before transferring to Taholah last fall.

Although Taholah doesn't offer a wrestling program, she entered the Washington State Girls Wrestling Association tournament last March at Ocosta High School. Her preparation for the event was limited to a single 90 - minute training session, but she still finished third in the high school 126 - 129 - pound division.

In the absence of wrestling, she lettered in basketball at Taholah, but didn't particularly enjoy the experience.

"I don't like basketball that much," she acknowledged. "I just did it because they don't have a wrestling team. The only sports I like are wrestling and boxing."

Bell became involved in the latter sport in the spring of 2002, when she followed a friend, Jaylah Jerome, to a workout at the Taholah Boxing Club's tiny gym. She quickly embraced Bradley's training regimen.

"I like the conditioning, the work and the competition," she said. "It takes a lot of hard work and I like that."

Bell isn't concerned by the threat of injury.

"You don't really get hurt," she maintained. "You've got headgear and everything."

Nor is she bothered by the stigma in some quarters against female boxers.

"I was kind of used to it," she said, "because I did wrestling with all boys."

"She spars with boys, too," Bradley added.

Bell made her professional debut last year by winning a decision from Diana Tiland of Arlington, who had been fighting for two years.

She subsequently split a pair of decisions with Brooke Top of Portland, winning in Portland but dropping the rematch last spring at the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino near Ocean Shores.

In the latter bout, Bell was hindered by a case of stage fright.

"All the people from the North Beach area and Taholah were there," Bradley explained. "She kind of froze up in front of them."

"I just get kind of nervous because people are watching me," Bell admitted.

Bradley has been frustrated in his attempts to line up more bouts for his protEgE.

On one occasion, he and Bell drove to Portland only to discover that her scheduled opponent had pulled out of the bout at the last minute.

A shortage of Northwest women in Bell's weight class has limited her opportunities. In addition, Bradley has heard through the grapevine that Top is not eager for a rubber match.

Still, Bell is scheduled to return to the ring - on both an informal and formal basis - this month.

She plans to spar during the Chief Taholah Days boxing program Friday and Saturday at the Taholah Community Center (since the card is a non - sanctioned event for amateurs, she is prohibited from taking part in an actual match).

Bradley is hopeful that donations solicited during the program will be sufficient to send Bell to the U.S. Junior Nationals beginning July 9 at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

There's also a possibility that she will appear on an amateur program July 25 at Lincoln City, Ore.

If Bradley's opinion counts, a junior national appearance could become the springboard for greater accomplishments in the future.

"I really look to see her win the (senior) nationals," the Taholah Boxing Club coach asserted.

Until then, Sky Bell is merely looking for a fight.