Iowa wrestler defaults rather than face girl

Yahoo! via AP ^ | 17 Feb 2011 | LUKE MEREDITH

[shove_it]

DES MOINES, Iowa – An Iowa high school wrestler who was one of the favorites to win his weight class defaulted on his first-round state tournament match rather than face one of the first girls to ever qualify for the event.

[...]

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times," wrote Northrup. "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 other high school sports in Iowa."

[...]

[skeeter]

Another person not afraid to acknowledge that there are differences between men and women.

He must be a glutton for punishment.

[Faith]

The young man is showing much more wisdom and courage than the adults who allowed this situation to be a reality.

[kbennkc]

There is no way a young man should wrestle, box or play contact sports with a young lady. The aspect of acting like a gentleman should be reason enough, but it is a classic no win situation.. If you win, well you beat a girl, if you lose... you remind everyone of Cartman.

[OldDeckHand]

Bravo for this young man - unusual character for a kid his age.

[GeronL]

You realize these are kids right?

lol

[OldDeckHand]

"Cassey is the one on the left................. "

....Charles Manson on the right....

[downtownconservative]

My step-daughter wrestled on the JV team her senior year in HS. Her main sport was track (hurdles), but she was quite fit and just wanted to compete to stay in top shape. The boys were always nervous to wrestle her because they knew if they didn’t do well, they would get hazed severely by their team-mates. She never won a match, but was only pinned one time.

She went on to compete at the NCAA division I level in track on a four year scholastic and sports scholarship and now works as model in sporting goods/exercise advertising, et al.

I don’t see what the big deal is, personally.

[AppyPappy]

He’s afraid he would lose.

[justlurking]

However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times," wrote Northrup. "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."

Regardless of whether you agree with the boy's decision, I think we should respect his rationale.

[WOBBLY BOB]

girl or guy, it's sex assault and not a legit wrestling move.(unless you're Bawney Fwank) I'd bodyslam her and say 'how you like me now?'. followed by a WOOOOOO!!!

[sand lake bar]

I don’t mean to be rude by saying this, but if I wrestled a girl, I’d be sure to get a few feels in.

[Millicent_Hornswaggle]

He’s home schooled. He also seems to be a young man of faith. His parents have done a very good job.

[hosepipe]

Well!..... duuuugh..

[Calm_Cool_and_Elected]

Ping!

[TSgt]

I’m just waiting for someone to start screaming about discrimination in professional football and baseball, i.e. the lack of female players.

Really, it’s going to happen...

Why can’t Sally take on Ray Lewis? /SAR

[camle]

the other pic above is better. i’d hit it...im asure laz wouldn’t refuse;-)

[Jeff Chandler]

ping

[camle]

i’d have fun trying....

[WKUHilltopper]

Nothing like having Charlie Mason as your dad...

[BenKenobi]

Heh.

I used to play soccer, and they made us play against the girls squad a year older than us. Same in PE class, where we had guys and girls.

The girls would always get mad at any one of the guys who made contact with them during the game. It made the sports pointless.

I think this guy is great! He should be commended for being a gentleman and not participating.