Don’t let all the sugar and spice hiding behind Heather Lafnear’s beautiful smile and pretty red hair fool you ? the fourth-grader from Clear Lake Elementary is one tough cookie.
Recently, Heather, 10, took second place in the 66 pound category at the U.S. Girls Wrestling Association National Competition (GWA) in Lake Orion. This is the second time the Oxford youngster has placed in the open tournament.
‘I like wrestling at the competition because you can meet new friends and stuff,? said Heather.
The Clear Lake student has been wrestling for the past three years with the Oxford Junior Wildcat Wrestlers. However, her experience with the sport goes back to watching her older brother compete with the same group.
‘I would go to practice with him and see what he was doing,? Heather remembers. ‘And then I would wrestle our friends, and then I just started wrestling.?
Dad J.R. Lafnear said he remembers Heather at practice with her brother ‘beating boys who were winning tournaments,? and he knew she had to join. ‘It was convincing mom though that was the tough part,? he laughed.
Heather’s first year wrestling was in 2002. That season she took fourth in the Mid-Michigan Wrestling Association (MMWA) regionals, still a male dominated competition, and went on to place sixth in the state. The next year, Heather competed in the GWA Nationals for the first time — and took third place in the 56-pound weight category.
This year, Heather did not qualify for the MMWA state competition, but she did improve her placing at GWA. Out of five matches, Heather pinned three, was declared on one and lost her final 15-0.
In round one, the Junior Wildcat Wrestler pinned Bailee Powers of Hazel Park. She went on to pin Paige Maxey of Rustburg, Virginia, in round two; and win 15-0 against Heather Pahoresky of Mantua, Ohio, in round three. In the semifinals, Heather pinned Mikaylynn Tinnerman of Salamanca, New York in 0:47. However, the Oxford powerhouse was stopped in the finals by Emma Mae Hanks of Garfield Heights, Ohio, with a 36 second pin.
Before every match-up, Heather said she receives a hug and encouragement from her parents and coach. ‘That’s the best part for me,? said dad J.R. At the end of each round, the young ladies shake hands and most exchange gifts and address cards. This year Heather handed out Oxford Wrestling t-shirts.
‘Girls are more fun to wrestle than boys,? said Heather, ‘It’s hard to make friends with boys.?
‘My favorite part about wrestling though is that you can win medals and trophies and make new friends,? she added.
So what are Heather’s wrestling plans for the future? The Junior Wildcat hopes to take the gold in her weight class next year at the GWA, but said her wrestling days will be over when she enters middle school.
‘It would be hard and stuff because you get heavier and the moves are harder to do the heavier you are,? Heather explained. ‘I don’t think I’ll continue on at that point.?
And dad says that’s okay with him. However, Mr. Lafnear added that he believes wrestling has been one of the most positive influences in his children’s lives.
‘I just think its brought a great deal of self-confidence building for both of my children,? he concluded. ‘We’ve all enjoyed being a part of this.?