From Deseret News archives:
Tourney called biased against girl wrestlers
Moms say 2 girls, ages 6 and 9, were denied participation
Kristi Jones of Santaquin and Jessica Vellinga of Provo said their daughters faced gender discrimination during the Rocky Mountain Wrestling invitational at Orem High School Saturday morning.
Jones said her daughter, Courtney Jackson, 9, who won first place in the same tournament last year, was not allowed to wrestle boys at the event this year because of rule changes by the tournament operator, Cole Kelley.
"He just told me that he wasn't going to let them wrestle her," Jones said. "She was upset. She feels like she should have the same rights as everybody else."
Vellinga said her 6-year-old daughter, Jet, faced similar circumstances at the tournament. She said Kelley told her he once had to wrestle a girl at a national tournament, and he didn't want to put the boys through the same experience.
"He wasn't even discreet about it," Vellinga said. "He said 'I'm not going to have girls wrestle boys at my tournament. He called my daughter 'honey.' . . . He was really patronizing toward us."
The mothers say Kelley's registration forms asked for information on age, weight and experience and said nothing about gender-based groupings.
"It was a very underhanded way at discriminating against the girls," Vellinga said.
Kelley also blamed a blown fuse in the sound system for a failure to tell Jones and other parents about the grouping system.
"I do feel bad, and I want to apologize to Courtney for my error for the miscommunication," Kelley said. "I want to apologize to her mom for the miscommunication, and for the the future, I want her to know I'll make more of an effort to make it a positive experience."
Kelley said he was worried parents of some boys might be unwilling to have their sons wrestle against a girl.
"It happens frequently in the sport," Kelley said. "There are people that are uncomfortable with it, and I understand why they would be uncomfortable. If they refuse to wrestle, then it's unfortunate for the boy. It's unfortunate for the girl. I was looking for kids her weight, her size."
Courtney's coach, Brad McKee, said he pulled the entire Santaquin junior wrestling team from the tournament because of Kelley's actions.
"He completely took the word 'fun' out of wrestling and completely interjected his own, and that was 'discrimination,' " McKee said. "It's unfortunate that they make this an issue of gender. It's a skill thing. If you don't want to wrestle a girl, then you should forfeit the match. If you think you can beat her, then put the gear on and let's get it on."
E-MAIL: csheffield@desnews.com
Comments
- T-giving weekend, minus Skins Game 2:33 p.m.
- Antarctic icebergs head for N.Zealand 2:30 p.m.
- Rates could feed speculative bubble 2:25 p.m.
- Teams still alive for BCS at-large bids 2:21 p.m.
- Woman describes stabbing, killing 2:05 p.m.
- Stocks retreat on reports 1:45 p.m.
- Bills consider Shanahan for coach 1:42 p.m.
- Mitchell's attorneys file to withdraw 1:29 p.m.
- King Kong figurine sold in UK 1:01 p.m.
- Turkey tips from experts 12:59 p.m.
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Best prep football games of 2009
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- Boys basketball rankings
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
220 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU would like friendlier rivalry
162 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
157 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
136 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
134 - BYU records with win
132 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103
How many times have we heard this? True it is your time to shine, but will...
Our politicians want power and to stay in power and all the perks that come...
Watch those computer rankings next Sunday, I think you'll have a problem...
use something like a football rivalry to excuse behavioral deficiencies like...
In this article it is implied that BYU is going to win. You read it. I just...
How could any lawyer live with him/herself after defending such a jack!!!!...
who writes "If you are TRULY faithful, then there is no question to where ANY...
In Switzerland, healthcare is still less expensive at 11.6% of GDP vs. 15.3%...
Lets hope that these three players are used frequently during the rivalry...
BYU- 37 Utah- 17




You can be the first to comment on this story.