|
| Lopez Island | Orcas Island | Visitor's Guide |
            
        
|
| ||||||||
SPORTS | FRIDAY HARBOR | WOLVERINE WRESTLING |
|
Email this page to a friend Related Stories |
99-lb Champlin takes to the mat
posted 02/04/03
"Being manager wasn't really fulfilling," Champlin said.
Champlin enjoyed attending all the Wolverines practices and matches as the team manager but a few weeks ago Coach Gordy Banry asked her to consider wrestling. After discussing the pros and cons of competing in a predominantly boy's sport, Champlin decided to put down her pencil and don a uniform. "She's a tough little cookie," said Assistant Coach Deanna Banry. "She holds her own in practice." "I'm very proud of her," she added. "It's not an easy thing." Champlin's head coach is pleased to be gaining points in a weight division that's been unfilled until now. "I'm glad to have a 103-pounder," Gordy Banry said. "I'm pretty indifferent: boy, girl, I don't care. It's nice filling every weight."
Some of her female schoolmates are surprised when she became the second girl to wrestle in Friday Harbor High School history. When Champlin tells them she wrestles, "They ask, 'With boys?' I say of course it's with guys.'" She faces the same challenge as her male foes. "I'd almost rather wrestle the boys because I don't have to worry about being beat by a girl," Champlin said. The green grappler is working hard to prove "wrong" those skeptical of her wrestling career. "She's the only one who shows up at 6:30 in the morning and 3:30 in the afternoon," Deanna Banry said. "She's very dedicated in doing what it takes to get there."
Champlin, who became eligible in the second-to-last week of the regular season, said she would be wrestling even if she couldn't compete in the post-season. "Just getting out there is a really good experience," she said. "I like learning everything," she said. "It takes a lot of motivation to push on stuff and to get where you want to go." Champlin is thankful for all the assistance she's receiving, especially from her teammates and coaches. "Everybody's been very supportive," she said. "Gordy and Deanna, they're always there for you," she added. "Their dedication is incredible. They treat everybody like family." "Everybody's been encouraging her," said Mike Pretz, the team's only four-year member.
"All the guys realize it takes an enormous amount of courage to be a girl and try this sport," Pretz said. "It takes a lot of courage for a guy to try this sport." Champlin, who sits quietly on the bench, supports her teammates with a booming heart. "It just means so much to me when they win. I know how much hard work, dedication and time they've put in," she said. The Wolverines' 103-pounder knows she's starting late but she plans to improve. She lost to Darrington's Holtz and Concrete's Aspen Crowter in league matches but won by forfeit against Tacoma Baptist. She plans to defeat Crowter by decision in the future. "I'll beat her (Crowder) by the time I'm a senior," Champlin said of the sophomore who's been wrestling for a three years. |
||
|
SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 ABOUT US | ADVERTISING INFO | CONTACT INFORMATION |
|
|||
