Coates grapples withrivals, prejudice

High school notebook

Date published: 1/10/2008

BY ROB MOORE

Leah Coates wasn't quite sure how to take what Washington & Lee wrestling coach Dave Wilkerson was telling her.

Coates was preparing to wrestle her final match at last Saturday's Perkins Duals at Stafford High School. Moments before the match was to begin, Wilkerson approached her and said, "Well, you got one win today."

Coates' opponent from Chantilly had forfeited the match, reportedly because the boy's parents objected to their son wrestling a girl.

"In one way, it was six points for the team," said Coates, a sophomore who has moved into the starter's role at the 112-pound weight class. "But it lets you know a lot of parents don't approve of girls wrestling."

Coates, who was an honorable mention All-Area runner for the Eagles cross country team last fall, explained that she decided to go out for wrestling rather than play basketball because she has a lot of friends on the team.

She said her parents really liked her playing basketball, but they've been supportive.

"They allowed me to [wrestle], but they weren't happy with it," she admitted. "Especially my dad."

Wilkerson was also concerned when Coates and three other girls came out for the team. So concerned that he prepared a flier telling the girls just what they were getting into.

But he said that not only have there been no issues within the team with Coates, and fellow sophomores Katrin Sydnor and Jasmine Ashton, the three have worked even harder than he expected.

"They go at it like angry banshees," Wilkerson said. "The boys are afraid to take them lightly."

And Coates has earned their respect, he said.

"There's not a boy on the team that doesn't respect her for her intelligence and fortitude," he said.

Coates credits junior Lucas Tyler, the Eagles' starter at 119, with giving her a lot of support.

"I knew she could do this," Tyler said. "Leah is extremely athletic."

Tyler, who recalls wrestling three or four girls last year at 112, said he views a female opponent as "just another wrestler."

As for his teammate, he explained that he helps Coates with moves and counters.

But his support has also been emotional. "When she'd wrestle other guys, they'd laugh because she wasn't as strong," he said. "But I told her, 'You're only a sophomore, you will get better and you will win matches.'"

One advantage Coates does have over many boys is flexibility.

"One referee came over to me at Stafford and asked 'is that girl a gymnast?'" Wilkerson said. "She was wrapped up in this hideous-looking move."

Coates is realistic in her expectations for the remainder of the season.

"I'm just hoping to do my part for the team," she said. "Wrestling the single A and independent schools, I hope to win some matches.

"And if I can place at districts and move on to regionals, that'd be awesome."

Coates will also compete at the Virginia Women's state open at Rustburg High School March 16.

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Date published: 1/10/2008