Yancy’s Mission Is to Give Girls an Opportunity

Shannon Yancy has dedicated herself to promoting girls’ wrestling.

Some might consider that mission impossible, but Yancy is encouraged by her early efforts.

Yancy, a four-time silver medalist at the women’s wrestling world championships, has recruited 23 girls for the sport at Thousand Oaks High. She’s organized a tournament and clinic to be held Saturday at Westlake High.

Approximately 70 girls from 12 high schools are expected to participate in the tournament, which begins at 10 a.m.

The clinic, which includes instruction from Yancy and Thousand Oaks boys’ coaches Larry Mortensen and Manny Valdez, begins at 9 a.m.

Yancy is optimistic girls’ wrestling can become a sanctioned high school sport if participation is encouraged. Golf and water polo are among the sports made available for high school girls in recent years.

“At every tournament you’ll find girls, but they’re usually wrestling guys,” Yancy said. “Once other schools have girls, then I think it could be a CIF sport. That’s my mission in life. I’m done competing for myself and now I want to give back to the sport.”

Yancy, who has been teaching English and physical education at Thousand Oaks for three years, was the only girl on the Chaffey High wrestling team in 1989 and was a seven-year member of the U.S. national women’s wrestling team.

She was an assistant boys’ coach at Wooster High, which won the Nevada state title in the 1996-97 season.

Her father, Mike Williams, wrestled in high school. For Yancy, it seemed natural to pursue the sport.

“I just grew up playing rough and I was looking for a sport that challenged me,” said Yancy, who has three brothers. “The coach had no idea what to think. I have a feeling that he tried to run me into the ground but I just had a wonderful experience. I never had any negative reactions.”

Women’s wrestling has grown internationally and Yancy says it might be an exhibition sport at the Sydney Olympics.

“We know it’s a for sure thing in 2004, then women’s wrestling is really going to take off,” Yancy said. “Wrestling will never be a huge spectator sport but when it hits the Olympics . . . “

*

Freshman Daniel Valencia of Camarillo High has made a few appearances in the varsity lineup this season at 119 pounds but he’s already impressed Coach Ron Wilson with his ability to play the violin.

“He tries to keep it a secret but he’s very good,” Wilson said. “I’m trying to talk him into playing the national anthem but I don’t think he’ll do it.”

Valencia plays during services at Padre Serra Church in Camarillo.

*

Moshe Levi (145) and Edward Lemus (119) of El Camino Real have decided to enlist in the Marine Corps according to Coach Terry Fischer.

Levi, selected most valuable wrestler at the lower weights at the Camarillo tournament last week, is 13-0 this season with 11 pins.

Lemus also is 13-0.

*

The pages on Dennis Ritterbush’s desk calendar are worn.

Ritterbush, wrestling coach at Agoura, balances a hectic schedule that keeps him on the move. He is also the girls’ athletic director at Agoura and is the junior varsity football coach at Oak Park.

In his spare time, Ritterbush is umpire director for Conejo Valley Little League, where his sons Paul, Matthew and Chris have played.

“Last week was my first week off since Aug. 23,” Ritterbush said. “It becomes a balancing act.”

*

Jason Bond of Newbury Park might be one of the most improved wrestlers in the region.

Bond, who competes in the 171-pound class, was 25-18 last season but has started 18-2 this year.

At the Rosemead tournament last week, Bond recorded an 8-2 decision over Antonio Brino of Desert, who finished third in the Southern Section Division V Championships last year.

“I was surprised at how bad Jason beat him,” Coach Wade Caddin of Newbury Park said. “This guy couldn’t do anything against Jason.”

Chris Rueckert, a 171-pounder for Marmonte League rival Royal, is one of the region’s top wrestlers but Bond’s development might provide for some intriguing bouts in future league meets.

Bond has never beaten Rueckert, who qualified for the Southern Section Masters meet last year.

“If he beats [Rueckert], that would be awesome,” Caddin said.

“He’s believing in his ability on his feet and that’s really helped him. Jason was missing certain elements in his wrestling last year.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Top 10

Rankings of region wrestling teams

*--*

RK LW School (League) 1 1 Ventura (Pacific View North) 2 2 Highland (Golden) 3 3 El Camino Real (City) 4 4 Simi Valley (Marmonte) 5 5 Camarillo (Pacific View South) 6 6 Quartz Hill (Golden) 7 7 Rio Mesa (Pacific View South) 8 NR Lancaster (Golden) 9 9 Agoura (Marmonte) 10 8 San Fernando (City)

*--*