By Cheryl Walker
UNION-TRIBUNE COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER
VALLEY CENTER “Football, trombone or wrestling.
Bethany Harris decided she had to pin herself down to one activity and give it her all. Wrestling won.
“Why wrestling? “is what most people ask the 134-pound 18-year-old.
“My dad wrestled in high school and he used to tell me so many stories, “Harris said. “It sounded like fun. My parents were shocked when I told them I wanted to wrestle.”
The soft-spoken woman has lived in Valley Center for eight years with her parents, Danny and LeeAnn Harris, and her two sisters and brother. She has a passion for the more aggressive sports, including football.
When Harris began wrestling she was plagued by injuries. One of the hardest challenges was to sit out while recovering.
“I’ve hurt my hip, elbow and torn the cartilage in my ribs, “she said. “It’s been difficult sometimes because the mind is willing but the body isn’t. But I’m determined. When God gives you the ability and the opportunity, you should use it.”
Harris’ injuries didn’t stop her from from being undefeated on the junior varsity team in high school and placing second in the 128-pound division at the Asics/Vaughn Junior Women’s National Freestyle Championships in July in North Dakota. Her only loss was in the final match against Deanna Rix of Maine, who has been wrestling since she was 3.
“At first I really stunk at wrestling, “said Harris, who has gained 6 pounds since the championship and hopes to add more muscle. “I’m not a natural athlete, but I’m very dedicated to my sport.”
Harris wrestles freestyle at the No Mercy School in Vista. Her hard work helped her to win the Breitbard Athletic Award from the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum.
Placing second at the national championships earned Harris the BJ Stupak Olympic Scholarship to the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University.
Now her eye is on competing in the Olympics.
“It’s a full scholarship to Michigan and I hope to compete either in the 2008 or 2012 Olympics, “she said. “I’m focused on 2008, but we’ll have to see how it goes.”
Harris isn’t sure when she’ll head to Michigan to start school. She signed up for the National Guard and leaves in a few days to train at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the military, “she said. “I love my family and friends and I’m willing to fight for our freedom. If someone doesn’t fight for our freedom, who will?”
Harris is scheduled for advanced training in the National Guard, which means she may not be able to start college until next year. She plans to major in history to eventually become a teacher.
She is looking forward to National Guard training as well as attending college and continuing wrestling.
“Wrestling is an important part of my life, “she said. “It has taught me who I am and that hard work pays off. It’s helped me find myself.”
Wrestling Gear
