Posted: 8/21/02

Pringle wrestles in China

Branden Peterson
Sports Intern

Still more than two months from the high school wrestling season, Forest Lake sophomore Chelynne Pringle is preparing to become the first female to grapple her way onto the Forest Lake varsity wrestling team.

High school wrestling hasnít been the only goal for the 15-year-old daughter of Lori and Dick Pringle of Hugo. Sheís been too busy competing in national and international events.

Most recently, Chelynne and mother Lori returned home from a 10-day wrestling trip with the FILA Cadet and FILA Junior women teams. The group of nearly 30 wrestlers and 15 parents and coaches traveled to Beijing, China where the young American wrestlers practiced and competed with their Chinese counterparts from a Beijing middle school.

More accustomed to grappling with males than females, at least in Forest Lake, Chelynne joined 24 girls on the World team--along with 6 boys.

In her second attempt at qualifying for the World team, Chelynne traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee in May. Placing first in the 130 lbs. weight class, Chelynne ensured her spot on the team, and also receive a $700 discount off an approximately $3000 trip. First and second place finishers of each weight class are invited onto the World team, however outside wrestlers can submit requests to also join the team.

World Sport Alliance, USA Wrestlingís official international exchange provider organized the annual trip. In recent years, the junior world team has competed in Poland, Sweden and Germany.

After leaving July 31, the team departed for a 24-hour flight across the U.S. to pick up teammates in Detroit and Chicago before finally crossing the Pacific Ocean on the way to Beijing.

As the two had imagined, the world was a much different place on the other side of the globe. Streets were filled with taxis, bicycles, and tour buses. Vendors rolled carts pawning hats, kites, quilts, clothing, and much of anything they could fit in their carts.

Chelynne joined 4 other wrestlers from Minnesota on the squad, and the team practiced several times with matches scheduled in between. Of the four matches Chelynne competed against her foreign opponents, she walked away defeated from each. However, as she reflects on her competition, she believes the talented Chinese wrestlers were more highly trained, and their efficiency was hard to match.

ìThey go quickly and get tired right away,î the sophomore at Forest Lake High School said. ìBut they take their time too.î

Mother Lori Pringle said the team held up well against their Chinese opponents, but also added the Chinese team had much better technique.

ìThe USA girls were in better shape,î she said. ìIf they could drag the Chinese later into the match, they usually won. In freestyle (wrestling), the kids think they have to hurry up, but if they take their time and set stuff up they did better.î

Lori Pringle also pointed out the intensity of the Chinese team grew much stronger than the young American team.

ìWhen our team would be whispering, they (Chinese wrestlers) didnít say a word. Their coach clapped his hands and they all stood up and got in line. They all must have had a certain place to stand because they knew right where to go.î

Chelynne lost her first match 14-16 to Yan Xia. In her second match, Chelynne fell to Liu Bin 7-14. Her third match placed her against her second round opponent, Liu Bin, and again Chelynne was defeated 4-15. Her fourth and final match paired Chelynne against Guo Yanfeng, falling short 7-9.

Though failing to pick up a victory in any of her matches, the 15-year-old has no regrets, especially with all the practice and experience against tougher competition. Also adding to her adventure was many days spent sightseeing.

Only a 20-minute venture from Beijing, Chelynne and her team traveled to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Great Wall of China. Traveling over hundreds of miles splitting through luscious Chinese jungles, Chelynne and Lori were able to see a mere fraction of the Wall, yet experienced its monumental size.

The Hugo residents also had a chance to visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Beijingís famous Silk Alley, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ancient Sacred Way, the Ming Tombs and the Beijing Zoo.

After completing all the matches and practices, the tour returned home August 9.

Coming home

Currently ranked third in Cadet women wrestling national rankings for 134 lbs., Chelynne didnít have time to recover from jet lag. She had practice.

The sophomore will run this fall with the Forest Lake cross-country team. Pringle also enjoys competing with the track team in the spring.

With dreams of qualifying for the 2004 and 2008 Olympics in womenís wrestling, Pringle doesnít believe the recommendations of some of her coaches to focus completely on wrestling.

ìItís going to be hard,î Pringle said. ìThere are a lot of girls.î

In preparation for the varsity, national, and Olympic goals, Pringle has been seeking tougher girls competition for over a year.

Maybe more realistic is her chances of earning a spot on the Forest Lake Varsity wrestling team. High expectations are already developing for the high school squad, yet Pringle wears an inspired smile despite her lack of experience with the team.

ìI wrestle harder with boys than with girls. They (boys) think ëoh, sheís a girl, sheíll be easy,í but nope, not this time.î

ìItís going to happen. Just watch,î She confidently says about her chances of making the varsity team.

Building experience

Chelynne and 10-year-old sister KCJo competed in two large tournaments in July. First, the siblings took high marks at the Iowa for the Northern Plains Girls Festival. Chelynne swept four championships, with two titles for folk-style and freestyle wrestling at two weight classes. KCJo finished second in both folk-style and freestyle tournaments.

A mere few weeks before leaving for China, Chelynne Pringle traveled to Fargo, North Dakota for the first ever ASICS/VAUGHN Junior Olympics for high school wrestlers. Chelynne competed in five matches, ending with a record of 4-1. She received All-American honors and was also named ASICS All-American Honorable Mention.

While in China, residents approached Chelynne asking if they could get a picture. They wanted a picture next to a girl who looked like Barbie. With her pony-tailed blonde hair, the resemblance is understandable. Wrestlers across the nation are learning the hard way, Chelynne Pringle is hardly a plastic figurine.

Pringle would like to thank Forest Lake Walmart, FLAAA, the Dandy Linos, USA Wrestling, Minneapolis Amateur Wrestling, Tina McDonald and friends and family for supporting their journey to the far east.

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