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By Jesse Sanchez
Star-Telegram Staff Writer 2/1/2000
ARLINGTON -- Sam Houston wrestler Brandy Killingsworth said she's not the typical wrestler.
The junior shaved her head last season, then dyed it burgundy when it grew back. She now sports a short, curly platinum blond hairdo that she likes to put in pigtails when she competes. She wears what she wants, when she wants and doesn't really care what people think about it.
Oh, by the way, she's 22-0 this season and the reigning 165-pound state champion.
"She's not a real athletic type, but she's a good student of the sport," Texans wrestling coach Roy Shultz said. "She doesn't really move like a wrestler, she's kind of stiff-legged, but she's really smart."
Shultz said Killingsworth's style is uncommon among female wrestlers.
"She doesn't have the gymnastic-type movements used by most wrestlers, but once she gets on the mat, she manhandles everybody," Shultz said. "She's got a big heart and hates to lose."
Last March, Killingsworth finished sixth at the U.S. Girls Wrestling Association tournament in Michigan. In her first season of wrestling, Killingsworth finished third at the state wrestling meet as a freshman. She has spent half of this season competing at 165 pounds and the other half at 185 pounds. In three years, Killingsworth has lost only eight times in 44 matches.
"It's [the competition] kind of easy this year," Killingsworth said. "The girls don't have a lot of experience."
Killingsworth credits her winning record to "trying really hard" and staying true to herself.
"I am my own person," she said. "I'm not the go-with-the-flow-type of person.
"I express myself."
Despite her fondness for being an individual, Killingsworth is no stranger to team sports and group activity. She played soccer when she was in grade school and participated in the school band as a freshman. In fact, it was a drum major/female wrestler who inspired her to join the wrestling team. "I thought it was neat, and I liked it," Killingsworth said. "It's an adrenaline rush you can't get anywhere." "In wrestling, if you win it's because you won it. If you lose, it's the same thing. There's not a team when you're on the mat by yourself."
Killingsworth's winning spirit apparently has rubbed off on teammate Cathy Cotter. Cotter, who boasts a record of 25-2 at 110 pounds this season, has known Killingsworth since junior high. Cotter said she has seen her friend develop into one of the team's top wrestlers.
"As far as competing, [Killingsworth] has no doubts in her mind she will win," said Cotter, who finished in sixth place at the Michigan tournament. "She's not worried, she's like `I'm here to wrestle, and I am going to keep on winning.' Obviously, she's doing something right.
"She gets me hyped and makes me think positive."
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The Heart of Amateur Wrestling
(Conducted by Allen Brown 2/00)
This month's UP CLOSE Interview is with SARA McMANN. Ms. McMann won the
Sunkist Women's Freestyle International Open last fall (at 56 kilograms/123
pounds) and is a member of the United States Women's World Freestyle Team.
Currently Sara is a student at Lock Haven University in central Pennsylvania
and, by the way, works out with the LHU men's wrestling team.
Up Close caught up with Sara McMann late December 1999 at the Wilkes Open
Wrestling Tournament. Sara had finished her wrestle-back match at 133 pounds
with a Penn State wrestler. She had lost by a major decision and was not
pleased with the result. She left the mat to scattered applause. There were
no jeers.
We did not have a chance to interview Ms. McMann during the Wilkes Open, but
she promised to field written questions and answer them when she got time
over her college semester break. Here are the Up Close questions and Sara
McMann's answers -
QUESTION 1 for Ms. McMann. You are from North Carolina "NASCAR" country.
What on Earth got you interested in amateur wrestling?
McMANN's ANSWER. The reason I got into wrestling instead of other popular
sports in North Carolina was because wrestling was the sport I grew up
around, having my older brother wrestle since he was six years old. I went
to his tournaments and his practices all throughout my childhood. When I
decided that I wanted to participate in a sport, WRESTLING seems to be the
natural choice. It was the only sport that was not only exciting, but also
both mentally and physically challenging. Wrestling held my interest, and
once I started it, I WAS HOOKED!
QUESTION 2. What factors did you consider in choice of college? Was
wrestling a primary consideration?
McMANN's ANSWER. My primary consideration in determining a college was a
place where I could continue to wrestle and a place that had an excellent
Theatre program to pursue my major. Also, I put a lot of emphasis on having
coaches I like and respect, and I found it all at Lock Haven University.
QUESTION 3. You won the Women's Freestyle Title (at 56 kg) late October 1999
at the Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open in Phoenix. Would you please
describe your barn-burner 19-13 win over Californian MALISSA SHERWOOD (of
the Dave Shultz WC) in the Championship Finals?
McMANN's ANSWER. My 19-13 match against MALISSA SHERWOOD was the highest
scoring match I've ever had. Both of us are mostly offensive wrestlers, so
the points racked up quickly. Malissa is a tough competitor and the reason I
believe I was able to walk away with the victory is that the LHU program has
taught me how to focus on only wrestling and not to panic when the score is
not in my favor. This gave me the ability to come back when I was behind and
maintain that lead until the end of the match.
QUESTION 4. We understand that you work out with the LHU men's team. Would
you please describe the LHU wrestling practices?
McMANN's ANSWER. Lock Haven's practices are the hardest practices I've ever
experienced. The level of talent and depth of good wrestlers in the room
makes every day a struggle to survive. The conditioning of these athletes is
superb, and it is matched with refined technique. I especially enjoy the
attitude of the coaches (Head Coach POFF, and Assistants ROCK BONOMO, DOUG
BUCKWALTER and STEVE KROUSE) and the wrestlers that reflects hard work,
discipline and dedication that is crucial to becoming a better team.
QUESTION 5. This college wrestling season you have competed unattached in
both the Carolina Open (in November 1999) and the Wilkes Open (December
1999). Do you expect to get the chance to wrestle some varsity matches for
Lock Haven University?
McMANN's ANSWER. No, I cannot compete for an NCAA team, because I'm on the
Women's World Team and accept a stipend from USA Wrestling for training. The
NCAA rules forbid an athlete who accepts pay (as in my case) from competing
in collegiate sports.
QUESTION 6. Do you like to wrestle Freestyle or Folkstyle?
McMANN's ANSWER. I prefer Folkstyle because it's harder on the mat than
freestyle and demands more conditioning in that specific area. I like mat
wrestling better than standing. Freestyle, of course, emphasizes takedowns.
QUESTION 7. What advice do you have for pre-high school women who aim to
wrestle in international competition?
McMANN's ANSWER. My advice would be to get into freestyle as early as
possible so they can continue wrestling after high school and not feel so
far behind. I felt a huge transition going from folkstyle into freestyle
that could have been avoided had I been more comfortable with freestyle when
I was younger.
QUESTION 8. Will women's amateur wrestling survive in the United States?
McMANN's ANSWER. YES, I think it will. Women's wrestling has grown rapidly
in the past five years. In 2004, it is being discussed as an Olympic sport.
Also, women will have more collegiate teams and more collegiate dual meets
than we do now. The biggest national tournament for women currently is High
School Nationals, which is a folkstyle tournament. Further, having women's
college teams may help men's college wrestling by creating gender balance
under Title IX and gaining more publicity for the sport.
UP CLOSE asked COACH CARL POFF about his female grappler. Coach Poff told us
that Sara has earned the respect of her teammates by her work ethic. The LHU
wrestlers see that she is serious about her training and is willing to put
forth the necessary commitment to achieve her goals. Also, Sara is a quality
person. It has been an honor being her coach. She has a contagious
personality and is a wonderful ambassador for women's wrestling in our
country.
UP CLOSE FINAL COMMENT. We wish Sara McMann the best of luck as she pursues
the fine art of half nelsons, arm bars and guillotines. If you want to see
Sara wrestle locally this winter, she is competing in a Spot Light
Exhibition freestyle match against Missouri Valley's CARRIE BIRGE to be held
at Thomas Field House, on the campus of Lock Haven University, on Friday,
February 19, 2000, at 7:30 p.m. The McMann/Birge match will be held
following the 157-pound men's dual-meet match between Lock Haven and
Bucknell University. We'll see you there!
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