THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 21, 1996 TAG: 9606210065
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SONYA ISLAM, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 100 lines
THEY START OFF punching each other, just playing around.
Then, the match intensifies.
A peaceful orchestra free day in Churchland High School's band-room is transformed into a wrestling competition. Stephanie Looney and Cullen Wallace lock-up, both struggling to gain control. A nearby Uno game is nearly upset as the two vie for victory.
Stephanie hooks her foot around Cullen's ankle. He stumbles, losing his grip. Stephanie takes advantage of this, executing a decisive headlock.
Out of breath, Cullen gasps, ``All right, man.'' Stephanie releases him and they both laugh.
As best friends, they frequently have informal ``matches.'' But when it comes to wrestling for Churchland High School's varsity team, 15-year-old Stephanie is dead serious.
``When I step out on a mat . . . I just stay focused on the match,'' Stephanie said. ``I block out everything except the coach's voice and whistle, the ref's voice, and that's it.
Later, Stephanie sat on the sofa in her sports-oriented bedroom, complete with a NFL comforter on her bed and softball trophies on shelves, to talk about being a female wrestler. Stephanie is one of the growing number of female wrestlers in the area. Even though she hasn't broken any school records for wins - she tallied two wins and seven losses last season - she's gained respect as a serious athlete.
Stephanie plays volleyball in addition to wrestling and softball and said wrestling is the most difficult sport.
``It is a one-on-one,'' sport Stephanie said. ``You're actually out there physically and mentally with someone.''
Stephanie developed an interest in becoming a wrestler while she served as the team's manager last year.
``There was just something about it that attracted me to it,'' she said.
She began wrestling this year as a sophomore in the 125-pound weight class and quickly felt she wasn't prepared for the sport.
``At first, the practices were very hard. I wasn't used to it, you know. I didn't expect it to be that hard on your body,'' Stephanie said. ``I think I was a little naive and nonchalant about it at first.''
Matches also brought unexpected challenges.
``I would just look at the (opponent) and most of them were bigger than I am,'' Stephanie said.
``You can see their muscles better than mine, and it would totally scare me.''
But Stephanie worked hard and improved. Her peers said her record of more losses than wins doesn't reflect her efforts.
``She was definitely different from other girl wrestlers. . . because she wrestled to win,'' said Matt Scott, a fourth-year wrestler at Churchland.
``She took it to the guy like any other wrestler.''
Other teammates agree.
``She's real, real feisty,'' said Tiree Murphy. ``In the matches where she defeated someone, she was just tougher than him.''
Others attribute Stephanie's wins to her tough personality.
``She never made excuses. She has a real stick-to-it attitude . . . a real drive to compete,'' says coach Eric Bracey.
Stephanie's older sister, Jennifer, said Stephanie has always been a tough kid.
`She's stubborn,'' Jennifer said. ``I remember the scrawny, skinny little Stephanie . . . but even then, she was strong.''
One thing that was not hard for Stephanie was being accepted on the team.
``Once she started doing everything that we did, we forgot she was a girl,'' Matt said. ``If she couldn't do something, she'd keep drilling. . . . She'd get mad sometimes because I beat her a lot.''
Stephanie admits she hates losing even though she said the defeats have been learning experiences.
``This year was my learning year, and I think next year I'm really gonna be able to start applying what I've learned,'' Stephanie said. ``In any situation, the positive thing that comes from it is that you become stronger.''
Stephanie recalled her first match, a Western Branch junior varsity competition.
``I was petrified. . . ,'' Stephanie recalled. ``I went out there, and I stood there, and the whistle blew, and he went right off the whistle. . . . He was out there to whip my butt.''
She lost by 15 points.
``I've learned that just because you lose at something, doesn't mean you haven't tried your best,'' Stephanie said.
``At the end of the match, when you shake that person's hand, and they tell you `Good job,' they're telling you `Good job'. . . .because you gave them a fight, you know, you tried really hard.''
Stephanie is already preparing for next year's season. She's watching what she eats as she plans to compete in the 119-pound weight class. But experience will be the key.
``Every match is a test on your preparation . . . a more experienced wrestler has taken the test more times,'' said coach Bracey. ``She's definitely going to improve.''
Stephanie is aiming high for next year, hoping to make it to the regional wrestling competition.
Her friend Cullen believes she can do it.
``If she wants to, she'll make it, because she wanted to wrestle and she made it.'' ILLUSTRATION: GARY C. KNAPP
The Virginian-Pilot
Stephanie Looney, 15, has gained respect.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB