GIRL WRESTLER FALLS IN STATE TOURNAMENT
Friday, February 20, 1998
By Stu Durando
Of The Post-DispatchCOLUMBIA, MO.
With her hair tucked inconspicuously under her head gear, Julie Tucker of Pleasant Hill High strode across the Hearnes Center floor to one of six mats set up for the Missouri wrestling championships.

The only indication that something was different Thursday afternoon came as a group of photographers congregated, awaiting the start of Tucker's 103-pound, first-round match with David Roskin of Mary Institute-Country Day School.

Otherwise, her presence seemed to go unnoticed, even by tournament officials, who labeled the front of the tournament program the "Boys Wrestling Championships." But Tucker knew different, having endured scrutiny during her successful bid to become the first girl to qualify for the state tournament in its 67-year history.

"Just being here gives me a charge, and rolling around on the mat and actually being on the floor is great," Tucker said. "I love it. For me it's just another tournament, just more important. My main goal was just to be here.

"I've set a new goal to medal, but I'm so proud of myself for accomplishing the first goal that I'm kind of relaxed."

Although history-making, her debut was disappointing as Tucker lost by technical fall. A technical fall is called before time expires when one competitor is ahead of the other by 15 technical points. She did extend the match two periods, avoiding a pin along the way.

Tucker had plenty of support in the otherwise unsuspecting crowd. On hand were her parents, two grandmothers and brothers Shez, who won a state title in 1992, and Ben, who placed sixth in '96.

Attending her 10th state tournament was Betty Tucker, Julie's mother, who was calm after going through the experience before.

"I couldn't have done it had she been my first wrestler, but I've had a lot of time to adjust to the sport and how physical it is," she said. "The refs do a much better job now, and that's been a little bit of security for me. I just worry about her winning, not about her getting hurt."

Although Tucker is annoyed that she has received attention because of her gender, she understands. But she prefers to focus on her success, having entered the tournament with a 22-14 record, claiming seven pins and three technical falls among her wins.

The senior has overcome what she acknowledges to be a lack of physical power by working hard on the fine points of wrestling. By doing so she has defeated opponents of greater strength.

"My coach says I probably have the best technique on the team," she said. "It's just something I work on a lot. The guys do too but they have muscle to go with it, and because I don't I have to compensate by having better technique."

MORE