| OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES April 16, 2009 Airman 1st Class Nader Maghribe, of the 860th Air Maintenance Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., throws his opponent during competition at the 2009 Las Vegas/ASICS United States National Wrestling Championships held April 8 through 11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. AF team at nationals BY AIHMAN 1 ST CLASS ROBBY HEDRICK 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs AS VEGAS, Nevada — The Air Force wrestling team competed at the 2009 Las Vegas/ASICS (United States National Wrestling Championships April 8-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. Thirteen athletes competed for the tournament with two garnishing Ail-American honors, and with one of two qualifying for the World Team Trials May 30-31 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The competitors went against some of the best wrestlers in the nation in the four-day tournament to demonstrate their dominance and proceed to the next level. The skill level ranged from the high school level through former and current Olympians. The Air Force had two wrestlers in the Greco-Roman category. At 55kg Airman 1st Class Tyler Moore, 32nd Security Forces Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, placed eighth. In the 84kg class Senior Airman Walter Hoffman, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale, La., took fourth place. In the FELA Junior category Airman 1st Class Kevin Justin, 96th Security Forces Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, took second place and qualified for the Junior Worlds at the Olympic Training Center in May. BY AIRMAN 1 ST CLASS ROBBY HEDRICK "This was one of the most demanding things I have ever been a part of... both physically and mentally," said 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Justin. "Even though it was tough I can't wait to takeon the next challenge." AS VEGAS, Nevada — As he walks up the stairs to the center mat on the platform, Airman 1st Class Kevin Justin, 96th Security Forces Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, goes through his usual ritual. He walks a lap around the outer circle, slapping and tapping his body, visualizing the outcome and mentally preparing himself for the grind ... the relentless torture and pain of a two-day national Greco-Roman wrestling tournament, a chance to be the best. Only this time something is different. His thoughts drift back to the 6 am. runs in the cold Idaho mornings followed by the intense weight lifting sessions. The six hours a day of wrestling, drilling, wrestling and more wrestling all prepared him for this one moment in time. Justin has made it to the finals of the 2009 Las Vegas/ ASICS United States FILA Junior National Wrestling Championships held April 8 to 11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Although he feels a tremendous amount of pride to represent the Air Force, his family, his home state of Maryland, Justin feels the most pride in representing his teammates. Those whom he has laughed with, fought with, and lived with for the past few months. He has developed a bond and camaraderie with these men that is so simple, yet fails to be explained. SwagJais lap he looks^to the side and ^^a^hort stocky man standing with his arms crossed and a confidentj-but determined looteon his face, who just nods his head in approval. This man has seen him grow and 185/65R-14. :.*46 mature not only as an athlete, but as a person as well. His 195/65R-15. . *49 expectations are easier said than done. When another 205/65R-15. . .*50 individual is out to cause you pain and discomfort, to take what you want — the pride — then the win is all you have PERFORMANCE TRUCK/SUV to rely on. His reaffirming glance reiterates what he has been saying the past months, "release yourself to the training." This is Rich Estrella, Air Force wrestling coach and head 2008 Olympic Games Greco-Roman wrestling coach. On the other side of the mat, dressed in Air Force blue ... .•SO 2D5/55R-1B *5D 31/1O50R-15/C . .'89 P265/70R-10/B . .»B7 ... .»61 225/45R-17 »B3 P265/75R-16/B . •SB P265/7OR-T7/B. "104 are his teammates. They are cheering and screaming already and the match has yet to begin. He is one of their Courtesy photo Airman takes 2nd in FILA national tourney L §fi & R) IJ N) G) SAW/N/GSL» • Hill AFB Job Openings Site OUR BEST BRANDS! REBATE Internal civilian announcements are posted on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site. Announcements for bargaining unit positions are posted on Fridays. All other announcements may be posted any day of the week. The Civilian Announcement Notification System is a subscription e-mail service available to \ assist employees in their job search. ? Self-nominations for posted announcements can be made on-line at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/resweb. or via the interactive voice response system at 1-800-997-2378 and TDD 1-800-382-0893. • For info on NSPS visit http://www.cpms.osd.mil/nsps. own. Although some made it further than others, they support one another unconditionally. They took care of him through his training, trained with him, bled with him, and therefore, his win is part of their own. It is an ownership they all share and yet it is still individualized at the same time. As Justin walks to the center in his Air Force blue singlet, he glances at his opponent only briefly before he turns his attention toward himself. To that burning desire to excel... to win. This is what carried him through the years, when his body could go no further; his mind couldn't handle the sight of a mat or being broken in a 100-degree wrestling room any more. This desire to win is what allowed this day to come. Sacrifices had to be made, but it was all worth it to culminate at this point. He shakes hands with his opponent and the whistle blows. The match begins with fervent hand fighting with extreme pushing and pulling in all directions. The pace is fast and furious as the two athletes fight for position and the slightest window that will provide a tactical edge for a takedown. The period ends scoreless just as it began. His opponent takes the bottom position. As he flattens out Justin tries to turn him or to expose his opponent's back for a single point. The muscles on their bodies ripple as they play tug-of-war against one another in an effort to win the period. Time expires and Justin's opponent receives a point due to remaining unturned in the 30-second period. Period two begins with an intensity unparalled in prior matches. Justin needs to win the period in order for the match to continue to-a third and final round Sweat dripr ping off their bodies makes it difficult for either wrestler to maintain a good hold long enough to take advantage. The final seconds approach and Justin makes a surge to gain any points possible before periods end and he slips. His opponent seizing the advantage falls on him to gain another point. The whistle blows again and suddenly it is over just as quickly as it had begun. Justin takes a look around the mat. Coach Estrella once again nods his head only this time in acknowledgement and walks over to extend his hand in congratulations. His teammates are there to congratulate and console their teammate. The moment freezes in time. The lights are starting to be turned off, the cleaning crews have begun picking up and Justin takes one final look around. Coach Estrella had asked him to "release himself to the training," to buy into the system. Justin did and it provided him with one of the best experiences of his life and something to cherish forever. Although he is emotionally charged and physically worn down, the desire to win is still there. Telling him he can do better, he should train harder, listen better, run farther... He begins his preparation for the FELA Junior World Championships in May at the Olympic Training Center with the world tournament being held in Greece. WHEN YOU PURCHASE FOUR (4) WHEELS WITHiYO.im br^CDUNTLTIRE CREDIT CARD. • OFFER VALID 4/1/09 to 4/30/D9. UPON CREDFT APPROVAL SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. Go to cf/SOOCrntfrro. com to shop and make on appointment at your nearest Discount Tire store. IN/l-f=: 8:OO-6, SAT.: 8:OO-5 OVER 700 STORES NATIONWIDE! OGDEN -605 Washington Blvd..: (801) 393-4079 RIVERDALE 4262 Riverdale Road ; (801) 627-3215 HOY 5387 South 1900 West (801) 773-6876 LAYTON 2059 N. Hill Field (801) 776-2810 881 W. Hill Field (801) 544-0104 Additional Locations: Salt Lake City, Murray, Holladay, West Jordan, Kearns, West Valley City, Sandy, Riverton, Draper, Provo, Orem, Lindon, American Fork & St. George * BFGoodrich (gntinenial© from a full menu of restaurants including • American • Mexican Chinese/Vietnamese Indian/Mediterranean Isit VtahOnSale.com ito start saviijg! ' f Register Today It's Simple and FREE Available to you 24/1 T he Air Force Reserve is offering part-time, and fulltime opportunities for Aircraft Mechanics with excellent benefits, including choice of home base, education assistance, secure employment and competitive pay. Choose your home base and you will not be transferred. Receive low cost TRICARE health insurance. Maintain retirement benefits. In most cases you can retain your rank. Specific jobs come with signing bonuses. Continue to build dose friendships, serve your country and participate in experiences unique to the military. Accomplish extraordinary things while you achieve your personal goals. AIR FORCE RESERVE EVERYDAY PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE 800-AFR-8279 • AFReserve.com/Priar |
