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FEATURE: Sara McMann determined to make Olympic history
1/30/2004
Amy Ufnowski/USAW
August 2004 should be a historic month for sports with the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece taking center stage. It will be a highly anticipated and publicized for women’s wrestling and its athletes. Women’s freestyle wrestling is the only new addition to the Games and its athletes will be making history.
One woman who wants to be making history is Sara McMann of the Sunkist Kids. She has been the the Women’s U.S. National Team for five years and has been ranked No. 1 in her weight class of 63 kg/138.75 lbs. for four of those years. In international competition, she has beaten most of the top world athletes, and most recently won a World silver medal.
On Saturday, January 24, Sara McMann claimed the individual gold medal at 63 kg at the Olympic Testing Event in Athens, Greece. Her competition was tough, but McMann was totally in command winning four matches by technical fall and one by fall. In the semifinals, she defeated Aurora Fajardo of Spain by a 12-2 margin. In the gold-medal finals, McMann dominated Alena Kartashova of Russia, 12-1.
Her dominance of many of her opponents in her weight class comes from them being unable handle McMann’s strength. Her gut wrench is her most valuable move and has been proven unstoppable.
“European girls are afraid of her, afraid of her physical strength,” said Terry Steiner, USA Wrestling’s National Women’s Coach. “Once she grabs them, they feel her strength and tend to clam up.”
This physical strength paired with her mental toughness has enabled McMann to control her opponents on the mat. She is analytical with her preparation.
“What sets me apart is my focus on the technical aspect rather than the physical aspect. I analyze everything and always find ways to improve,” said McMann.
“She focuses on every moment of the match and knows what she wants,” said Stenier.
McMann, however, is still young and knows she can still improve. She has learned a lot since she started wrestling at age 15, but understands the key to success is to never stop learning.
“Things are coming together and I am maturing as an athlete. Training is the same as always, I am doing the same shots and turns. Terry is really helping me improve on the little things with in my moves,” said McMann.
Between watching hours of tape, practicing, and tweaking moves, McMann is preparing herself for a very challenging test right here on U.S. soil.
“Some of my toughest competition is right here in the States. I train with them everyday, but it makes me a better wrestler. I know if I can win the trials, I will be ready to take on anyone in the world,” said McMann.
In the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis, May 21-23, McMann must beat some tough U.S. competitors on her road to Olympic glory. In particular, Kristie Marano the No. 2 ranked U.S. National Team member at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., who is also a two-time World Champion and seven-time World medalist. Marano may just be McMann’s toughest competition.
“Kristie is tough, you can never count her out because she will find a way to win,” said McMann.
However, both realize that who ever wins the Olympic Trials, will be best suited for the competition and to make a run at the medal stand.
Even though McMann has her work cut out for her, she is very confident in her pursuit. This confidence has always played a role in how she displays herself on the mat.
“Sara is a very confident person,” said Steiner.“She believes in herself and knows when she steps onto the mat that she should win.”
From the time she was young, confidence has always come naturally for McMann. She has her parents to thank for much of this.
“My parents taught me since I was young to believe in myself,” said McMann.
When she first started wrestling competitively in high school McMann was the first female wrestler in the state of North Carolina. She always believed she was just as good as the boys.
“I had heart, determination, and pure love for the sport. I think if I would not be wrestling today if it weren’t for that,” said McMann
Looking back on that experience she realizes that it has only made her a stronger competitor and a stronger person. Thus, because of her past accomplishments, McMann knows that excellence should be expected of her.
“I can only do the best I can with what I have,” said McMann. “I don’t aknowledge pressure because it will only hurt me. In day to day activities, I don’t focus on the long term goal of winning an Olympic gold, rather I focus on the little things that I can tweak and improve on.”
Sara McMann is on a path that could lead her to be the first Olympic Champion of all time in women’s freestyle wrestling at the 63 kg/138.5 lbs. weight class. She is ready to step onto the mat and take on any opponent she may face. This woman is dangerous and determined to win.
“If she is on top and gets a girl in a gut wrench,” says Coach Steiner, “she is unstoppable.”
When McMann is unstoppable, history can be made.
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The Big Bear girls wrestling team competed in the Eisenhower Girls Tournament and came home winners.
Big Bear Grizzly 1/31/04
Junior Kristy Bishop had a perfect day, earning a first place medal in the 126-pound weight class. Going 3-0 on the day, she won her first match in a mere 19 seconds. The second match, against a wrestler from Valencia High School, took a little longer. The two went the distance, with Bishop earning an 11-5 decision for the win.
The final match of the day for Bishop paired her with the number two ranked female wrestler in the state, who is also ranked nationally, according to Bears coach Alicia Jimenez. Bishop battled through, earning a fall in 5 minutes, 54 seconds. "It made her cry," Jimenez said of Bishop's opponent.
Bishop is a dual-sport athlete in the winter, dividing her time between wrestling and soccer. As long as she is able to put in the needed practice time for both and compete in matches, meets and tournaments for both, she is able to be a member of two teams under CIF rules.Adding to the Big Bear scorecard at the Eisenhower event was Ginny Jimenez at 110 pounds. She finished in fourth at 2-2 on the day. Her wins came against Arroyo High School with a pin in 2:59 and a 5-2 decision over a wrestler from Ramona High School.
Jackie Newsome also finished fourth at 140 pounds. "She really improved," Coach Jimenez said.
"I was really surprised at the caliber of wrestlers at this tournament," the coach said. "Ginny held her own, I'm really proud of her. And Kristy worked really hard."
The Big Bear wrestling team, male and female, hosts Beaumont Wednesday, Jan. 28, in the final league dual meet. Wrestling will get started in the gym at 6 p.m. The girls head to the Section 4 finals on Saturday, Jan. 31. Those finishing fifth or better in each weight class advance to the state finals.
-Judi Bowers
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Osceola girls defend wrestling crown
30 Jan 2004
By Rick Pedone News-Gazette Staff Writer
As many as nine wrestlers are expected to place for defending champion Osceola when the Kowgirls host the state girls wrestling tournament Saturday at the OHS gym.
Defending state champions Vanity Vasquez (100) and Candice Pellerin (112) are among the Kowgirls wrestlers who will attempt to give Osceola County its fourth consecutive state championship.
Gateway won in 2001-02 before Osceola claimed the title last year.
The tournament begins at 9 a.m. and continues on three mats until the consolation and final rounds begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $5.
Osceola Coach Jim Bird anticipates 40 schools and about 150 wrestlers entering. Last year, 37 schools participated.
St. Cloud, Vero Beach and University will challenge Osceola, but the Kowgirls, led by Vasquez (15-1), Pellerin (18-0) and Jenny Glover (14-0 at 160), are the favorites after going unbeaten during the regular season.
“I’d say we are, but St. Cloud is coming on and University is bringing a big team here, and Poinciana isn’t bad,” said Bird.
Other potential champions for Osceola include Jolene Sun (14-2) at 130 pounds, Taquera Baker (8-2) at 135, Krystalee Navarro (14-2) at 145, Kerri Zupofska (13-1) at 152, Brandi Castro (10-2) at 171 and Katie Orben (10-3) at 189.
Bird and other coaches are attempting to persuade the Florida High School Athletics Association to make girls wrestling an official sport. The St. Cloud boys travel to Brandon for the Tony Ippolito Memorial tournament today. The Bulldogs will host Osceola Thursday at 7 p.m. The winner will clinch the conference championship.
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By Jason Anderson
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, January 29, 2004
Individuals and teams from at least 20 high schools will compete in the Region 2 Girls Wrestling Championships starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at Edison High School.
Tournament director Mark Duncan expects 65 to 75 wrestlers from Sacramento to Fresno, and the top five in each weight class will qualify for the California Girls Wrestling Championships on Feb. 6-7 in Vallejo.
The tournament will include entries from Bear Creek, Edison, Franklin, Lincoln, Manteca, Ripon, Sierra, Stagg, Tokay and Tracy.
Edison's Kashmir Roxas and Sierra's Julie Costa could contend for medals at 103 pounds, which is one of the toughest weight classes, according to Duncan.
Tracy's Shareese Mulholand and Manteca's Samantha Phillips will compete at 120 pounds, another strong class.
The 126-pound class features Lincoln's Emily Espana, a potential finalist, and Franklin's Tammy Karmann, who's improving rapidly in her first season of wrestling.
Franklin's Sabrina Soto is among the favorites at 189 pounds, but at some point she'll likely encounter Bear Creek's Ashlee Mikaio.
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By J.P. HOORNSTRA, Times-Herald sports writer 1/30/04
At the top of the stairs leading from Vallejo High School's East Gym, a handful of girls stood at the intersection of Amador Street and El Camino Real Thursday afternoon.
Ten years ago, they might have been in tears, waiting for mom to pick them up and erase the memory of the one time they dared try out for the wrestling team.
Now, the Apaches' 12 female wrestlers are anticipating the first girls wrestling playoffs in state history, which begins Saturday with a regional tournament at Edison High in Stockton and ends Feb. 6-7 with the state final at Bottari Gym.
"For us, success has been a common denominator," Vallejo head coach Mike Minahen said. "That's why at Vallejo High School we continue to get girls coming out and they're successful."
Minahen said that before the 1994-95 season, no female wrestler had ever lasted through an entire season with the all-boys team.
"Being a male chauvinist pig at the time, I didn't think girls couuld handle it," he said. "I always said there will never be a girl tough enough to last one of our practices."
But at Vallejo High, and at schools across the state, the female turnout has gradually increased over the years. Now as many as 240 athletes may qualify for the 2004 state finals - the top five girls in each of 12 weight classes from four different regions.
All of the Apache girls have a shot at qualifying, Minahen said. Currently the team is ranked eighth in the state, highest among area teams.
Individually, Jaime Sage (120-pound weight class) is ranked first, Eunice Tjon (108) is ranked third, while Maria Angara (103) and Hang Phan (108) are fifth.
Five other area girls are ranked among the top eight in their weight class, including Bethel's Maribeth Grim, a state champion last year, currently second in the 98-pound division.
Reenie Belamide of Hogan attained the top spot in the 114-pound weight class after defeating previous No. 1 Haley Leta-Pombo (Pittsburgh) on Jan. 24. It's the first time a Hogan girl has been ranked No. 1 before, according to head coach Ric Manibusan.
"It makes us work a little harder. We've already accomplished one goal: to be hungry," he said. "Staying on top is a whole different strategy."
Among the dozen or so Hogan representatives, Marissa Gonzalez (currently ranked fourth) and Jessica Ortiz (seventh) are strong contenders in the 108-pound weight class.
Benicia, St. Patrick-St. Vincent and North Hills Christian will not be represented in the tournament.