Hagerman has a firm hold on wrestling

Friday, April 9, 2004

By Brian Johnson

Back in the "Good ol' Days," it was unheard of for women to take up sports.

Today, however, girls of all ages not only participate in athletics -- they enjoy every second of it.

Even though more girls are participating in sports now than in the past, there is still one taboo.

For the most part, women rarely face male opponents.

But with golf stars like Michelle Wie and Annika Sorenstam trying to compete with men in the tour, that taboo might be fading.

In Nevada, Jordan Hagerman, 13, might be called our Michelle Wie -- but her playing field's not the golf course, it's a wrestling mat.

"I'm proud of her," her father, George Hagermen, said.

Jordan started wrestling at the age of 11 and said she got into it because she's "seen my brother wrestle," Jordan said. "I was his guinea pig and one day my dad asked if I would like to wrestle, and I said 'yeah.'"

Her brother, Tommy, also wrestles and scores well in competitions as well.

Some fathers would be worried their daughters began wrestling, but not Jordan's.

"I always let the girls do what they want," Hagerman said. "I just pull out my coaching card and just like anyone else I try to give her advice."

Jordan's first wrestling match was at the tender age of 11. That day her opponent beat her.

Even in defeat, the match will be something she never will never forget.

"It was kind of scary," Jordan said. "Most of the kids didn't think I could do it."

Even in defeat, Jordan's father said she has improved.

"Her first year she lost more then she won." Hagerman said. "But she worked hard and this ear she has improved 100 percent."

Through hard work and determination Jordan qualified in the Missouri Youth State tournament.

In the tournament, Jordan won her first match but eventually lost to the first place and the third place winners.

Young Jordan has shown flashes of talent in her matches but that doesn't means she is accepted by her peers 100 percent.

Hagerman said that he gets a lot of looks and comments about his daughter playing in a traditionally male sport.

"There's mixed feeling," Hagerman said. "Women like it but the men don't. They think it's a man's sport and they should only be the ones to play it ... kind of like football."

In the future, Jordan plans on wrestling in the Summer Olympics and one day win a gold medal.

"That's my goal," Jordan said.

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