Photo Story: For love of the sport

BY TYLER SIPE
photo@record-eagle.com

January 28, 2008 09:44 am

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ELK RAPIDS -- Maggie Petersen stoically gazed ahead, and paced the orange-painted sidelines of the Elk Rapids High School gymnasium.

The high school senior bit her bottom lip, tried to suppress the anxiety filling her 5-foot, 1-inch, 103-pound frame.

Maggie's nerves weren't stirred by her male competitor across the wrestling mat, but instead by a subconscious reaction to grappling on her home court and under her family's watchful eyes.

"I'm very comfortable with going out on the mat against the guys," said Maggie, 17, who's been wrestling in the male-dominated sport since fourth grade. "I like wrestling because it's a tough, challenging and individual sport."

She became interested in wrestling after her younger brother, Derek Petersen, 15, joined an area club team.

Rob Petersen, Maggie and Derek's dad, also wrestled in high school and is head coach at Elk Rapids High.

"Initially, I was a bit surprised when she brought it up," Rob said. "When she got started in it, we realized she had potential and she enjoyed it."

Maggie's near decade of experience on the wrestling mat has earned her a fourth place ranking in her weight division in the United States Girls' Wrestling Association.

"I think it is better for (wrestling) and as a competitor if you make it objective and just about the sport," said Maggie, who endures occasional gender-based digs and taunts from opposing wrestlers, coaches and spectators.

"Focusing on the female aspect makes you lose sight of why you're actually (wrestling) and you end up proving something to somebody else instead of actually enjoying the sport," she said.

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