• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Wrestler decides not to face female opponent

Analog

Lifer
bilde


http://www.desmoinesregister.com/ar...not-face-female-opponent?odyssey=mod|mostview

The crowd cheered as Cassy Herkelman’s hand was raised, but the historic moment of the first girl to win a match at the traditional state wrestling meet comes with an asterisk.

Her opponent, Joel Northrup of Linn-Mar of Marion, forfeited.
Northrup did not speak with the media, but did release a written statement:


“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan (Black, the tournament’s other female entrant) and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times. As a matter of conscience and my faith, I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most of the high school sports in Iowa.”
 
I would've gone 110% if I was him. If you beat him going at 110% you deserve to be in this sport of men; otherwise gtfo.
 
So are we not going to have gender barriers in sports any more? Women do realize this will work against them right?
 
I feel bad for both of them. A shame that there aren't enough women who want to wrestle so she can compete against her peers.
 
Except for the few pairs events men and women compete separately in the Olympics for a reason. A very good reason. In a sport such as wrestling which uses alot of brute strength I don't care how good a woman is, there is a man somewhere who will beat her.
 
You kidding? Screw that. Fight her like you would fight any other dude. She deserves no different treatment.

When I play football I trample everyone equal opportunity
 
I actually agree with the kid. For him, it was a no-win situation.

If he won...he beat a girl.
If he lost...he got beat by a girl.

Wrestling is definitely a sport that should not be co-ed.
 
You kidding? Screw that. Fight her like you would fight any other dude. She deserves no different treatment.

When I play football I trample everyone equal opportunity

She wanted no different treatment.

A matter of ego and he was in a no win situation.

Beat the girl and he "beat a girl"
Lose to the girl and he "lost to a girl"

Having more girls in the sport will not resolve the eventual conflict if they have to cross gender.

And if there are not enough girls to maintain their own league, those that want to be active in the sport should not suffer as a result. It is not a team type sport; where a school need 10+ on a team.
 
If I were in his shoes, I think I would have done the same thing. Women and men should not be in competitive wrestling together.
 
I feel bad for both of them. A shame that there aren't enough women who want to wrestle so she can compete against her peers.

I just wonder if a boy wants to play, say, field hockey, which is a woman's sport, he will be allowed. I doubt it.
 
to bad for both of them. anyone is going to look at the girl and laugh even if she can kick ass.

EDIT: i will say i would be pissed at the idiot for forfieting and costing the team points. I also agree the odds are he was afraid of loseing. sounds like this chick can kick ass.
http://wcfcourier.com/sports/high-school/cf_tigers/article_dab8a024-3707-11e0-83f1-001cc4c03286.html

As the final ticks of the scoreboard counted down 3...2...1 with Herkelman holding a 6-2 advantage over Marion's Scout Morehouse in a 112-pound Class 3A district wrestleback, a capacity crowd of better than 1,500 rose collectively to their feet to mark a historic event in Iowa high school wrestling history.


The win made Herkelman the first female wrestler to qualify for the Iowa State High School Wrestling Championships in Des Moines.


She made state. not a easy task.


edit2: hmm perhaps he wasn't afraid.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110217/ap_on_sp_ot/us_girl_wrestler_default

"Joel Northrup, a home-schooled sophomore who was 35-4"

Damn good record. so odds "faith" again steps its silly head in.
 
Last edited:
Not following the "he beat a girl" idea. If they were on the street, then yes, you don't hit girls. But they aren't. This is a sporting event that she voluntarily entered and may be decent at. She's getting slighted because she isn't being allowed to show her ability.

Are they going to give her the tournament championship if no one wrestles her?
 
Not following the "he beat a girl" idea. If they were on the street, then yes, you don't hit girls. But they aren't. This is a sporting event that she voluntarily entered and may be decent at.

I don't think I would easily be able to just "switch off" the "Don't fight a girl" status quo/protect women natural instinct for a wrestling match. Unless you're going 100%, it still wouldn't be a "fair" competition, and I don't see many men going 100% on a girl.
 
Back
Top