Mt Evelyn wrestler Wanda
By Tania Martin
WANDA Skattebo is tougher than she looks.
This Mt Evelyn Christian School student is proving she is just as tough as the boys as she takes the wrestling scene by storm.
Wanda first started wrestling four years ago and has since gone from strength to strength.
On 21 June she brought home a bronze medal from the National Senior Wrestling Championships.
However, in a strange turn of events, Wanda was bumped up a level and is now waiting to receive a silver medal instead.
Wanda said the girl who won gold was put up a division which meant that everyone in the 72 kilogram division was also moved up.
“I don’t mind – bronze was great but silver is even better,” she said.
Wanda now has to return her bronze medal and is waiting for her silver to arrive.
For Wanda the competition was a great step forward as for the past 12 months as the only girl in her division has been winning by default.
“It was great to actually have some competition,” she said.
“It was a real confidence booster to win after not having any competition for so long.”
Wanda first started wrestling in year seven and aims to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London.
Wrestling is an elective sports program at Mt Evelyn Christian School and Wanda was thrilled to be given the chance to undertake the course.
She said having four older male cousins forced her to be able to stand up for herself.
“I have always been tough,” she said.
Wanda was ecstatic when she found out that her school ran a wrestling program.
“I was really excited. I guess I just had a passion for it,” she said.
“I had heaps of strength but I didn’t know exactly how to channel it.”
When Wanda’s not wrestling, she works on her strength and endurance training in the gym and on the soccer pitch.
But before Wanda can live her dream of one day competing in the Olympics she has to gain Australian citizenship.
This American born wrestler currently only has permanent resident status.
“The Olympics is a goal but it’s something I have to build up my strength for,” she said.
But there is more to this year 10 student than just wrestling.
She has had a more interesting life than most her age, jet-setting around the world with her missionary parents.
Wanda has been to seven schools and lived in some exciting and exotic locations such as America, Puerto Rico, Ecuador and now Australia.
But this latest stop in Australia has been the Skattebos’ longest lay-over and has given Wanda the chance to put down roots.
Wanda said being a missionary kid was a great experience because she gets to travel the world with her parents.
This up coming wrestler says she wants to follow in her parents footsteps and one day become a missionary herself.
“I want to work in Africa helping young children,” Wanda said.
Despite knowing where she wants to go in life, Wanda still has some difficult choices ahead.
She is now trying to decide what career path to take.
“I want to act, and teach and also be a missionary,” Wanda said.
“It’s picking just one career path, that’s the problem.”
But for now this Mt Evelyn wrestling champion is concentrating on her sport and studies.
