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Show Sportstacular Pag 21 Thursday, November 29, 1 979 Perea Unas By Keith Duncan Weber States Steve Perea knows hes got some big shoes to fill but the pressure only seems to breed more confidence. Wildcat wrestling fans have long been treated to some outstanding talent at the position. With the likes of Bill Murphy and Robbie Wurm, Weber State has not only turned in a bag full of victories, but some conference champions. Perea, a junior this winter, is the man Coach John Webb is counting on to fill those shoes. Steve began his collegiate wrestling at McCook Junior College in Nebraska. All in all after a medicore season at Weber last season, many of Steve Pereas fans expect him to explode this season. "If I can improve on my feet, I know that I can win the conference, said Steve. He felt confident that his mat wrestling was sound and comparable to that of the region. n As far as the team goes, Steve couldnt be more pleased and expressed himself this way, We havent got any quitters this season. Practices have been like conference" meets because everyone is looking for a good spot on the .team. I believe everyone takes everyone else a little more serious this year because each of us has something to offer. We have an excellent, chance at winning the conference and everyone on the team knows it. More Than a Friend . Perea, who competed last weekend in the Air Force Academy Invitational, likes to think of Coach Webb as more than just a "coach. 118-pou- ? ordaaDs Ibaffor ffsced "Mr. Webb is the reason Im here, besides my wife JoAnn. Hes always looking out for the entire team, not only in wrestling techniques but grades and school too, said Steve. Steve reported times this past summer that his family and the coaches family had gotten together to can peaches or tomatoes. "Ive grown close to him. because of his sincerity, said Steve. Webb can be credited as the man responsible for bringing Perea to Weber State. After learning about Perea from a former Wildcat wrestler, Max Tafoya, Webb phoned Steves mother in Wyoming about her son who had quit the wrestling program in Nebraska because of lack of money. Perea had dropped the sport he loved and began working to support his wife JoAnn Bainsberger of whom he had just wed. "My mother kept praying I'd get a chance to wrestle somewhere again. Coach Webbs phone call was an answer to that prayer, commented Steve. Married only one month, Perea and his wife headed to Utah to "start a new life. The first day of wrestling he practice, Steve became very sick probably because was simply out of shape. But it didnt take the new Wildcat grappler to take care of his physical condition as today he ranks as one crown. of the favorites to capture the Steve and JoAnn recently added to their family number with the birth of a daughter of whom theyve named Alisa Jo. Valuable Experience Coach Webb is pleased with how technically sound is. He credits much of his potentially-grea- t that soundness to the amount of wrestling that Steve has done over the past years. Steve began wrestling when a first grader with a lot of influence coming from his older brothers Joe and Mike. In junior high he was a three-tim-e city champion, was fifth in the nation as an eighth grader in freestyle wrestling and as a senior at Cayenne Central High, claimed the state championship in his weight. He was third in state the two years prior to becoming champion. His success was better than average at McCook that first year there as he continued to wrestle great amounts during the off season. Coach Webb wanted to sum up the situation with I believe that Steves Steve best when commented, only problem comes from the fact he hasnt believed in .himself. Ive always held true to my belief that the day Steve finally believes in what he is capable of doing, he will do great things. Webb also felt that if his lightest grappler could manage 10 wins before Christmas time, hed have enough confidence to do anything he put his mind to. 118-pou- er Steve Perea will attempt to fill the big shoes left behind by Robbie Wurm at the 1 slot. WEBER STATE'S Campbell's winning formula confuses everyone ; By Keith Duncan The day Russ Campbell was cut from the Weber High basketball program, is the day that will long be remembered as the turning point in his championship-laude- d career. Weber States defending conference champion was like any other sophomore in high school who chose athletics to excell in. A tryout for the basketball team came first and it failed. What next? Why not wrestling? Campbell had never wrestled before in his life, surely there must be something else! Without much hesitation Russ tried the completely unfamiliar sport and was promptly pinned his first two had something matches. But the skinny stir inside, something that said this was where he ought to be. 142-pou- er champion wrestling at in 1 Big s. Sky Conference The Weber State sophomore kept at it and as he said, "A lot of people laughed at me as I did sometimes. But I worked hard and I gradually grew to love the sport. Working hard may have been an underestimate. Whatever Russ did, he did it right to claim the Region One championship that initial year at Weber. The more he took the mat, the better he seemed to get. Another region championship came his way as a junior. His Weber High wrestling career came to an illustrious end as a senior when he claimed a region championship for the third straight year and a couple weeks later was crowned a state champion. Campbell was voted by coaches his senior year as the Outstanding Wrestler in Northern Utah, perhaps more than a dream three years prior. Close Association Campbell wasnt alone amidst those early struggles at Weber High and through the succeeding and successful seasons. It was Coach John Webb who made his debut as a wrestling coach the year Campbell first took the mat and its been Webb ever since. Prior to last season, Webb was offered the head coaching position at Weber State of which he accepted. Campbell, who admits he could have attended other schools, chose to follow Webb and now has the Wildcats wedged in the door for a big try at claiming the Big Sky Conference title. Ive known Russ for a long time now. Weve grown very close in our association together but to this day I still cant put my finger on what makes Russ so great. If I knew Id pass it along to the other wrestlers in hopes theyd use it, said Webb. V As a freshman Campbell jammed himself into one of Weber States more talented " and depth-minde- d weights, 142. pounds. Steve Winward - and Mike McMahon were both returning letterman and both ; seemed like a heavy challenge. - It wasnt long before Campbell had eyes opening as he fixed himself into the No. 1 slot. Campbell says that of the 9 defeats he suffered as a freshman, most of them came through lack of . . But with more mat time, Russ lost only two after last Christmas and ended the season with a record 24 victories and the conference championship. Tough Competition Russ seems overly impressed with the team depth and its attitude entering the new grappling season. He continues to find himself in one of the most competitive weights. With Brad Isom, a former conference champion and talented Dave Hansen, fighting you every week, it sometimes makes conference matches out of simple practice sessions. Last week Campbell defeated Isom in a wrestle-of- f to decide who would compete in Colorado this past weekend. Campbell came out the victor in a go for everything match. I hate to wrestle Brad, hes one of my best friends. But its something that has to be done," said Campbell. Through it all, Campbell is hoping for another shot at the Nationals in which he competed last year. Campbell works closely with his coach on bettering his mat work, which is where national contenders are usually the toughest. Russ, who is the son of Gaylen and Bonnie Campbell of North Ogden, says wrestling is a cut and dried sport where no politics can destroy anothers chances of being the best he can. When two guys are out battling it out, the best man is usually going to win, said Campbell. One of the significant reasons for chosing Weber over other schools was Coach Webbs coaching and the fact hes be close to home where his parents could watch him. They never miss a meet, said Russ. Mr. Campbell even accompanied his son back to the Nationals a year ago. As for his opinion of the team this year, Campbell feels if everyone stays healthy, the Wildcats could give Boise State everything they want in a showdown for the Big Sky title. "You can bet thats the time that Russ will be ready, said his coach, "It just seems when championship time comes around, Russ hones in on the competition and comes out ahead. |