Faith

Iowa Wrestling Star Withdraws From Match — Faith Won’t Let Him Wrestle a Girl

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) –- After a standout season in which he went 35-4, Joel Northrup had every reason to dream of winning an Iowa wrestling championship this year, but he gave it all up before his first state tournament match Thursday.Iowa Wrestling Star Withdraws From Match Faith Wont Let Him Wrestle a Girl

Northrup, a home-schooled sophomore who competes for Linn-Mar High School, said his religious beliefs wouldn’t allow him to wrestle Cassy Herkelman, a pony-tailed freshman from Cedar Falls who is one of the first two girls to qualify for the tournament in its 85-year history.

Northrup issued a statement through his school expressing his “tremendous” respect for what Herkelman and Ottumwa sophomore Megan Black achieved this season, but he said didn’t feel he had a choice.

“Wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times,” Northrup said in a statement released by his high school. “As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most other high school sports in Iowa.”

His father, Jamie Northrup, told The Associated Press later Thursday that his son struggled with the decision.

“He’s poured his heart and soul into wrestling and into being the best in the state,” Jamie Northrup said. “He’s never won a state championship, so he’s certainly looking forward to that day. So it’s agonizing, from all the work and the effort and the hope.

“But it’s easy in that, he, a long time ago, drew a line and said ‘I don’t believe it’s right for a boy to wrestle a girl.’”

There were several thousand fans at Wells Fargo Arena on Thursday, but many were watching other matches when the referee raised Herkelman’s hand to signal her win. There was a smattering of cheers and boos from the crowd before Herkelman was whisked into the bowels of the arena.

Northrup’s decision to default put Herkelman in the quarterfinals in the 112-pound weight class, and it put her name in the record book as the first girl to win an Iowa state tournament match. But it deprived her of the chance to show the skills that earned her a 20-13 pre-tournament record.

Tournament organizers declined to make Herkelman available for questions. But her father, Bill Herkelman, told the AP via text message that he understands and respects Northrup’s decision.

“It’s nice to get the first win and have her be on the way to the medal round,” Bill Herkelman wrote. “I sincerely respect the decision of the Northrup family especially since it was made on the biggest stage in wrestling. I have heard nothing but good things about the Northrup family and hope Joel does very well the remainder of the tourney.”

Because he defaulted and didn’t forfeit, Northrup was allowed to compete in the consolation rounds, and he won his first match later Thursday by major decision.

He was spared any chance of meeting up with Black — who also wrestles at 112 pounds and was 25-13 entering the tournament — when she was eliminated after being pinned in both of her matches.

Northrup and Herkelman would be matched up again if both were to make the finals in the consolation bracket. If that happens, Northrup would likely make the same decision, his father said.

Jamie Northrup is a minister in the Believers in Grace Fellowship, an independent Pentecostal church in Marion that believes young men and women shouldn’t touch in a “familiar way,” said Bill Randles, the church’s pastor.

“We believe in the elevation and respect of woman and we don’t think that wrestling a woman is the right thing to do. Body slamming and takedowns, that full contact sport is not how to do that.”

Randles said Joel has been involved in wrestling for many years, and he and his family have discussed before the possibility of girls getting involved in the sport.

“It’s totally his choice. He‘s a young man now and he’s worked hard to get where he’s gotten. It’s up to him, and it was his conviction” not to wrestle Herkelman.

Black said Northrup refused to wrestle her three years ago, and that she respects him for adhering to his beliefs.

“If it‘s his religion and he’s strong in his religion, then I just respect that,” Black said. “Obviously, everyone can be pointing fingers at him. He, at least, is true to his beliefs and you have to respect that. It takes a lot for a 15- or 16-year-old boy to do.”

Marth Stetzel, a mother from Perry who had two sons in the tournament, said she had no problem with Northrup’s decision.

“We’re really raising kids that are going to be bigger than wrestling, and if it’s something that he believes strongly in — which is not necessarily what I would do — you’ve got to respect a kid like that,” Stetzel said.

Wrestling is extremely popular in Iowa, and Black and Herkelman are the first girls to qualify for the state tournament since it was first sanctioned by the Iowa High School Athletic Association in 1926.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, more than 6,000 girls competed in wrestling in 2009-10 — compared with nearly 275,000 boys. Though most states require girls to wrestle boys, California, Hawaii, Texas, Washington and Tennessee sponsor girls-only high school wrestling tournaments.

Comments (105)

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  • Karron
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 8:20am

    OK, we work hard to teach our young men that any kind of force used against a female is wrong, yet people want them to wrestle? In my day, that was called abuse. Look, the boy did the right thing, he had the courage of his convictions. She got the award, but she didn’t earn it. If girls want to wrestle, they should form their own league. That way everyone wins, and no one is put into an impossible situation like that boy.

    Bravo for standing up for his principles and values. And that girl’s dad is a loser, no father who truly loves their daughter would want her to be pounded around like they do in wrestling. He must have missed his chance at glory days and is forcing it through his girl. Poor kid. She looks miserable in the photos.

    Report Post » Karron  
  • Beachplum
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 8:14am

    something is seriously wrong with this picture. girls wrestling? where is this young lady’s mom? the reason she can’t wrestle other “girls” is because it is unnatural and other young lady‘s have the good sense to realize this and don’t participate in wrestling. I am a mother of boys and I would be outraged if they were made to wrestle this girl.. That young man already “won” by forfeiting! Any parent would be proud to call him “son”. It‘s just too bad he wasn’t allowed to go further in the meet because of the selfishness of that girl. I also have a daughter and would NEVER allow her to participate in wrestling as a sport! Use some common sense people!

    Report Post » Beachplum  
  • CaptGreg
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 8:03am

    Nothing good can come from it anyway. If he wins, his teammates would all say that it was a cake walk because he wrestled a girl. But if loses….. you know.

    Report Post » CaptGreg  
  • Grylls81
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:47am

    He is a winner for not giving that girl an fair shot at an equal win? Girls are not designed for combat lol. Anyone who has a sister knows that they can be plenty ready for combat lol. That girl earned her spot though and he denied her a shot to break history fairly. Not a big deal anyways.

    Report Post »  
  • valerie68
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:47am

    I don’t think it is unfair that he was put in this situation. It’s a very physical sport and chances of her being groped by accident is high. It puts the boy is an uncomfortable place. I feel bad for the boy. I think letting a girl wrestle boys is wrong. This isn’t volleyball or golf. It’s a rough contact sport.

    My girls get mad at me all the time because I say that they are not equal to boys physically (mentally is a different story). Sorry, but they aren’t. You put the best girl up against the best guy in any sport, the girl won’t have a chance. It isn’t politics. It’s nature.

    Report Post »  
  • John 3:16
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:22am

    He has proven he is not a coward just a principled young man: But then you wouldn’t expect a Democrat/ socialist to know the difference since they have no principles.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
  • John 3:16
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:16am

    I applaude this young man!!! Women are not designed for combat period. As Christians we are taught to respect the female gender in ways different from men. I still open doors for females out of respect for them. I’m proud that this young, mature, man is from my home state of IOWA!!! Go Iowa!!!! GOD will reward this type of man.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:14am

    I can’t imagine what a couple of creeps this girls parents must be to allow her to compete in a sport that uses, what amounts to a grope, to be able to compete. It’s a disgusting story and a shame this guy was put in this position by this selfish girl.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:11am

    He might have forfeited but, he’s a winner in my book.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Capt_Spalding
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:56am

    Good for him! So nice to see a kid with character these days. Whoever set up boy vs. girl matches needs to be reevaluated…. seriously.

    Report Post » Capt_Spalding  
  • awizard
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:42am

    @Pat Alexander
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 5:58am

    “When I was in school the boy/girl wrestling all took place in the back seat of a car.”

    I was thinking the same thing ;-)

    I did wrestle in high school, and the idea was to “Destroy” your opponent, some of the moves involved grips that I would think a girl would not appreciate … without at least dinner first …

    Not a sport that should be mixed, not fair to put the boy through the turmoil … What school did the girl come from that would put Her in that position … and how did she get to States with that record?..

    Report Post » awizard  
    • Lamarr01
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 12:34pm

      I only wrestled for one year because of the weight loss, hard training and injuries (and I wasn’t any good). Wrestling is a full contact sport. Many of the moves that I was taught would be considered physical or sexual assault in these politically correct times. Consider some of the terms: high crotch takedown, crossface, single-leg cradle, riding time, hip breakdown, etc. Wrestling requires face-to-face contact, chest contact, and groin contact. The goal is to force your opponent to submit. After the match you take a towel and wipe your opponents hair, sweat, saliva and blood off yourself.

      The Iowa All-State champion in our school had never lost a match. He went into a high bridge during a takedown during practice and broke his neck and damaged his spinal cord. Eventually, he learned to walk with leg braces and crutches. Another wrestler was probably on anabolic steroids. After some strenuous weightlifting he felt sick and went home. He died of a stroke at 17 or 18. My brother weighted about 180 but wrestled 165. To make weight he fasted, took laxatives, vomited and finally would dehydrate in a sweat box to make weight.

      Report Post » Lamarr01  
  • Karama
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:36am

    I think he has dishonored her and himself. She got there for a reason.

    I have always believed that if you want to protect the lady you love you should teach her how to use a gun and how to fight. The whole knight in shining armor thing is crap. Most men are scum and waiting around for someone to come save you is a dumb idea, you could be dead before they get there. Same concept as to why wait for a cop with a gun to kill the thief in your home when you can do it yourself.

    Report Post » Karama  
    • Tiberius
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:54am

      That’s really nice. I could say the same thing about women, but I won’t because it would only be from personal experience. Is there something that you don’t understand? He believes it is a sin and obedience to God is much more important.

      Report Post »  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:40am

      Having standards, and sticking to them, is sometimes not easy.
      Progressives always twist things to serve their purpose. We see it again.
      Deamonize and Marginalize is what their MO is called.

      Report Post »  
    • Ghostrider
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 12:45pm

      Karama, Sorry to disagree with you. He honored her by refusing to wrestle her. I have girls. I don’t want them to wrestle. Yes, I teach them how to defend themselves with their fists, and their minds, and if that fails, I have taught them how to shoot and shoot straight. They are 12, 11, and hunt , kill, clean deer and cut it up for food. But I al;so taught them to honour their bodies, not to let boys run their hands all over them and their private parts in the name of sports, or in the name of anything else. There is a sickness that says it is okay for girls to be like boys. Face it , they are not. Yea, some can wrestle better than boys, but that don’t mean the should.

      Report Post »  
  • ALISSTER
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:29am

    Before I was married, I used to wrestle with girls. All kind of girls…sigh.

    Report Post » ALISSTER  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:07am

    “I can writhe all over another male in spandex, but not a female.”

    Which religion is this, again?

    Report Post » N37BU6  
  • Pat Alexander
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 5:58am

    When I was in school the boy/girl wrestling all took place in the back seat of a car.

    Good thing, too. Lots of girls I knew could have kicked most of our wrestling team’s sorry butts.

    Seriously, good for the young man standing up for his beliefs. :O)

    Report Post »  
  • Geo0248
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 5:36am

    good thing this isnt happening in say Iran. Theyd both be buried waste deep and stoned to death. Good for him for stating and living his “non radical” beliefs.

    Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 5:16am

    hmmm 35-4 25 -13 sorry though she may have done well, she is out of her league with win loss ratio like that, she would never have made it anywhere near the finals back in the day

    there are some sports where boys and girls can compete with each other, but this isnt one of them

    this reminds me of the young man being sued for using a perfectly legal move on an opponent and winning, just to be sued for sexual aggravated assault recently

    if this young man had used this same maneuver on this girl, i can imagine the outcry of molestation

    this move entails the hand on the buttocks with the fingers in the cleft for those who dont know sqwat about wrestling, and is a legal move

    if girls want to wrestle other girls, have at it but its not going to work with both sexes

    sorry, but equality only goes so far, as men and woman are not the same

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 5:53am

      I have to say Psychosis that I agree with you on this. I definitly believe in women’s rights, But I also taught anatomy and even though they are in the same weight class it does not make them equal.I admire the girls for wanting to do this but I admire the young man even more.It is such a shame he was put in this position.I don’t know anything about wrestling but it seems to me they would not have been pitted against one another with their win/loss so extremely different. Good luck to them both for their accomplishments.

      Report Post »  
    • Nobamazone
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:14am

      I agree, her record is not all that impressive, especially compared to his. I wonder how many of those wins came because a boy refused to wrestle her? Although this is the only time I have seen this issue make the news, I know of at least a couple more young men who also refuse to wrestle girls.

      Report Post » Nobamazone  
  • Real True American
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 4:51am

    As my self being a state champion wrestler, I commend this young man, I can completely see where he is coming from. I do not think I could have wrestle a young woman. It would have been a very uncomfortable position to be in…because when I wrestled I had the mind set to destroy my opponent. Wrestling a young lady would completely go completely against my respect for woman.
    He gave up a lot to default on this match..

    I think that his courage to respect his faith is to be respected…

    Report Post » Real True American  
  • ADNIL
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 4:42am

    Good for Joel. One must choose one’s battles wisely. There is no victory in a man beating a woman nor in the woman beating the man. What are these adults doing to these young people by mixing this sport? Joel made the right decision. I’m going to crawl back under my rock now.

    Report Post »  
    • Nobamazone
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:50am

      My 14 yr old son has wrestled since he was a young child and has had to wrestle a girl from time to time, I HATE IT! Not because I am afriad he may lose as some have mentioned (he actually DID lose to a girl one time, when he was about 9, at a State Championship, and she beat all the boys and took 1st place… he was very uncomfortable and absolutly did not try his best) it is because I don’t think it is right for boys and girls to wrestle. The physical contact is bothersome to me, but most bothersome is that I don’t see any time when it is ok for a boy (or man) to put a woman in a submissive position, It is also not fair physically, even if they weigh the same and puts the girl in danger of injury (seen it many times, some boys wrestle very hard so they won’t be beat by a girl). Now that my son is older and is a tough weight class, he seldom comes up against a girl and if he does, she can not compete with him and he will very quickly pin her because he does not want to touch them wrong and is very uncomfortable. People can scream about it not being fair to girls, but how about how unfair it is to put our boys in that position??? Not fair! If girls want to wrestle, fine, wrestle other girls. Here in Michigan there is a girls wreslting league, state chapionship and chance to wrestle in girls nationals, not the same as the school league. If schools want girls to wrestle then they need to have a girls league. Some may say that is not fair, if a girl wants to wrestle and the only team is for boys, I say…. what about Volleyball… my sons school (like most) only has a girls Volleyball team, does that mean that my son should be able to be on that team because there is no boys team??? Not fair either, perhaps it is time they all learn that life is NOT always fair and get over it. Being a wrestling mom as long as I have been….. if I had a girl who wanted to wrestle, I would not let her wrestle in a mixed league.
      I wish I had put my foot down when my son was very young and not allowed him to wrestle with girls. As it is, my boy is most likely sick of me telling him how wrong it is to phsically overpower a girl becuase I do it before, during and after every match I see where a boy is wreslting a girl. As his parent it is my job to be sure he knows what is right and wrong. Boys and girls wrestling together is WRONG!

      Report Post » Nobamazone  
  • LoneStarGigger
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 4:36am

    A couple of key points to take away from this story: 1) This kid stands by his moral standards and his supported by his family and community.
    2) This kid is home schooled, so he hasn’t been indoctrinated with the hogwash that passes for education in the last 30 or so years where the emphasis is on emotional well being vs actual learning.
    You can bet he was not one of those kids who got a trophy at the end of each season, no matter what sport, no matter how his team did.
    He is on the right track, thanks to his parents and his church.

    Report Post »  
  • Tayalynn
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 4:22am

    Wow – what a great kid! I could only hope that my son would have the strenghth in his moral character to stick to something he believed in at the peril of losing something very important to him. It says a lot about his parents and the way he is being raised. The media cracks me up. They overlook the stoning and raping of women in the Islam faith and bash the religion that upholds the respect and elevation of women. Man ….sometimes I feel like I’m living in a Star Trek dilluted and weird hologram!

    Report Post » Tayalynn  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 4:07am

    Maybe he just didn’t want to lose to a girl…

    I can see where he’s coming from though. Even if you were okay with it, you probably wouldn’t have your heart into it as much. Most males are naturally protective of females… I know that’s offensive to many women, but it’s built-in and we can’t help it.

    Not that many of you don’t take advantage of it anyway. =0)

    Report Post » N37BU6  
  • ozzie
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 3:54am

    WOW- what a bash religion and discrimination fest the media takes from this.

    The man believes it is not his place to touch her in a familiar way. Has nothing to do with discrimination.

    The religion part is his constitutional right- He chose to NOT VIOLATE his beliefs and somehow it is either discrimination or “religion is crazy”— he is not subjecting anyone else to his beliefs, and is willingly suffering the consequences of his religious choices.

    Report Post » ozzie  
  • AmeriWoman
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 3:52am

    What a champ. I totally agree. Kudos to this family and their honorable young son. This sport should never be mixed, no family should have to go through this decision and it’s a shame he had to have his record marred by it. The same for her. This should not be male/female contact. Especially for young children. Our world has sure turned topsy turvy, hasn’t it.

    AW

    Report Post » AmeriWoman  
    • pelosi galore
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:56am

      You could say the Bible is “strict”. You would be missing the point that Christianity isn’t about rules it is about a relationship with Jesus.

      Report Post » pelosi galore  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 8:03am

      That relationship also comes with rules. Check the Council of Jerusalem in Acts, and all the lists of activities that will keep you out of heaven, 1 Cor. 6:10.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 2:27pm

      Fools walk in where Angels fear to tread… This boy made the right decision. It’s called respect.

      Report Post »  
  • jzs
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 3:38am

    And what religious belief would that be exactly? If that comes from the Bible, maybe someone can give the reference.

    Report Post » jzs  
    • quiet little lamb
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 3:54am

      it‘s not about what’s in the bible. it’s about standing up for something he believes in.

      Report Post » quiet little lamb  
    • AmeriWoman
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 4:00am

      @JZS they called out Pentecostal in the report, do a search google.com. It’s no secret how strict the Pentecostal are about those matters though.

      Report Post » AmeriWoman  
    • 1911a1
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 5:29am

      I am not pentecostal , but I am a Christian , I do not belong to any particular corporate church. because Christianity is about ones relationship with God , not what religious church or denominational rules you have to follow . But I believe as Mr Northrup does , boys should not wrestle girls. I fully respect his decision and admire his commitment to his beliefs over his personal desires of achievement .

      Report Post » 1911a1  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:06am

      QUIET LITTLE LAMB, this young man has respect for girls and I applaud his decision. My son wrestled in high school and there was a girl from an opposing school; the boys were very uncomfortable wrestling her. Somehow groping a girl in front of a packed gym of students and parents, not to mention you own mom, just isn’t comfortable (this was also a Catholic HS so nuns and priests were there also). Maybe next year he will move up a weight division and she won’t be an issue.

      Report Post »  
    • keithh1981
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:22am

      It is ok for guys to grope other guys but not girls in front of a packed gym? How about having respect for the female, saying she shouldn’t be wrestling. If she wasn‘t any good I am sure she wouldn’t be there. How about having respect for the girl that wants to wrestle because that is her passion as with the other guys.

      She chose to be there so therefore it is a non issue, both parties knows what the sport takes. I am sure majority of guys are just scared in the end of getting embarrassed by losing to a girl than wrestling a girl. Boys and Girls been loving to wrestle with each other since the beginning of time, only difference is when it is competitive and an audience, boys have a stigma about losing to girls in front of friends and family.

       
    • anOpinion
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:58am

      I agree with this kid, and he shouldn’t have been put in that situation in the first place.

      Contact sports are rough. He was in no-win situation in that any normal boy would never fight a girl as hard or as viciously as he would another boy.

      Report Post » anOpinion  
    • SHTFMRadio.com -- Emergency Preparedness Radio Show
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:07am

      @JZS

      At least he stood by his FAITH, and made his OWN decision.
      Winning is not EVERYTHING
      Kudos to the boy for having the courage to do this.

      Report Post » SHTFMRadio.com -- Emergency Preparedness Radio Show  
    • HappyStretchedThin
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:13am

      JZS, stop pretending to care about religion.
      Even if I were to pull out all the scriptural examples of honored women, or even the basic difference between men and women, you’d still not believe such attitudes are religious in nature. You’d say they were superstitious.
      And you’ll find out just fine on Judgement Day. I’ll be happy to share my faith with people who are honestly seeking answers, but I won’t cast my pearls before wine.

      Report Post » HappyStretchedThin  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:17am

      KEITHH1981, I know all about girls on boy’s teams: my daughter was the only girl on the boy’s HS soccer team, she tried out for the baseball team, they wouldn‘t let her on the football team so please don’t lecture me on girl’s rights. As a mother, would I want her groped while wrestling, no, but then she would not put herself in that position, nor should a school system or her parents. Guys will not treat her the same so if you want to win by default or because a guy backs off so you don’t get hurt, what’s the point.

      Report Post »  
    • Rob
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:35am

      Woman’s Liberation and Political Correctness… progressive ideas.

      Report Post »  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:35am

      To Keithh1981 “She chose to be there so therefore it is a non issue…..”

      Northrup believes that a boy and girl do not belong in (organized) competition on a wrestling mat. It’s his conviction, and he stood by that conviction. I agree and respect him. to paraphrase you….therefore it is a non-issue.
      So, why is it that you have to twist this into an issue about him only doing this because he may have lost to a girl. It seems you don’t believe people can have beliefs that they would stick to.

      Report Post »  
    • Rob
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:43am

      Let’s say he body slams her and she is damaged… well, then he is a bully that hurt a girl. He is in a no win…

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 7:58am

      People who allow girls to wrestle with boys, and force boys to wrestlke them, should be shot, seriously. It is both stupid and evil.

      Girls are no match for boys physically, so it’s a ridiculous competition. She would only be able to beat weaker boys. And how humiliating is it for boys to be publically beaten by a girl? And the boys who refuse because they have principles forfiet the match so the girl wins by default, not vebcause she is any good. Eventually she will realize she has achieved a hollow victory.

      This is a sign of a civilization ready to die.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 8:03am

      that’s funny in towertarism you are not allowed to wrestle boys
      just girls.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 8:04am

      .
      He was afarid she was gonna use the Butt Grab on him………

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 8:09am

      Hmm One of the first thing my Dad taught me was “never hit a girl”

      I thought that was a widely held belief, I guess not.

      Report Post » the_ancient  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 9:00am

      JZS, I am a Church of God Pentecostal. The Northrup boy made his decision to honor God before anything else. Placing the focus on God first is what it is to be a Pentecostal. I am not denigrating any other denomination. I do not believe that salvation comes from “denomination” but that it comes with a true and sincere relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I think that the young man made the right decision and that he showed respect and honor not only to God but to the young lady, as well.

      Report Post »  
    • watchtheotherhand
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 9:01am

      There are few remaining areas where boys can just be boys and not have to worry about the PC agenda that wants to erase gender lines and “pretend” that girls and boys are equal. They are not ! That is not a matter of opinion it is a matter of scientific fact. It is undisputed by any credible scientific research. Boys contain more muscle mass upon development. Girls contain more body fat percentage wise upon development. Boys perform on a whole better at math where girls perform better in language. Girls and boys brains are physiologically and chemically different based upon imaging studies. I am tired of people trying to erase gender roles. It’s like trying to deny that one is black or white or yellow. It is ridiculous to say the least…….Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.

      Report Post » SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING  
    • Ghostrider
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 10:06am

      Some common sense is in order here. Do you want your girl to wrestle and have some boy running his hands all over her private parts? Would her being groped make you proud? So what if she can wrestle. This is political correctness gone amoke again. Now it is the boys fault for his beliefs. He simply belives that a boy should not engage a girl in hand to hand combat. i say good for him. I also say what the heck is wrong with her dad for letting her be in this position. I guess it is okay with you if her daughter has a boy over some Friday night to engage in a little wrestling practice out back or in her room. The problem here is men who get off by watching this kind of thing.

      Report Post »  
    • gramma b
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 10:34am

      I admire this kid. He should never have been put in this position, but he did the right thing.

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    • black9897
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 10:36am

      Nothing wrong with wrestling girls, don‘t think it’s the best Idea. But, why are girls allowed to go against guys? That seems unfair and dumb. They have separate basketball for girls, volleyball, etc, why wrestling of all things would they let them?? So dumb.

      Report Post » black9897  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 10:41am

      Ghostrider how else can we train for the TSA ?

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • FourthGen
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 11:05am

      What difference does it make to you- or anyone else? This story is being reported on by MSNBC as an example of “backwards” Christians, or religious fundamentalists.

      How about we talk about the odd nature of a girl in a wrestling singlet, physically engaging boys in the most contact-intensive sport ever conceived of?

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    • leftiesaredangerous
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 11:22am

      So much for freedom of speech eh Blaze commondants? What I said was not that bad. I mean really.

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    • blazer809
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 11:33am

      it’s a personal belief based on respect for women (i wonder if the bible says anything about respect?). it obvious by your question, that this kid has more integrity in his pinky finger than you’ll muster in a lifetime.

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    • grannyjojo
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 11:57am

      What it is called is “respect for women” and how he was raised. He apparently was raised to respect women in this fashion and I want to say a huge “:thank you” to this young man’s parents for their instilling in this young man the values that *I* believe in. And a huge “kudos” to the young man for standing up to what he believes in! Also, “you go girl” for your fortitude, hard work and everything else you have gone through in order to follow through with your desire to wrestle. I hope both the young man and woman the very best in life and keep up what you are both doing….its GREAT. God bless

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    • markinidaho
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 6:26pm

      “It is good for a man to not touch a woman”. 1 Corinthians 7:1. But, before you go ballistic, read the whole thing. This is also where Paul makes the point that a man should have a wife, and that they are to love one another’s bodies – even as their own.

      The point is, the boy obviously has been raised in a non-touching church environment, and he is uncomfortable coming in contact with a woman not his wife (or fiance, or whatever) because touch does arouse sexual feelings in a man – and a woman. No argument. Personally, I enjoyed engaging in martial arts with a particular woman, not because of sexual feelings, but because she was very good at it, and I liked her as a person. She wanted to work with me because as a woman, she was most likely to need those skills in combat with a man, and I was 6′1″ and 210 pounds. She got quite good at throwing me on the mat.

      Now, nearly thirty years later, I still think about that woman from time to time. Affectionately, but not sexually. Perhaps the boy is wiser than I was.

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    • REVerse
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 1:25pm

      @Happy- It is “swine,” not wine…

      Report Post » REVerse  
    • YellowFin
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 4:50pm

      If girls want to wrestle (I can’t imagine why they would) they should wrestle other girls.
      The boys should wrestle other boys. What is wrong with this society we now live in?
      Everything that is logical and good is now considered stupid and bad. Now the bad is considered good.
      We are a lost society.
      The boy made a mature and wise decision at great cost to himself. He is young but he is a man in my book.
      The girl is selfish and inconsiderate of good manners and conduct.

      Report Post » YellowFin  
    • Augie Dog
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:30pm

      Joel will become a greater success story than you can ever conceive. I feel so sorry for a person like yourself who is lost and is in the world and not of it! I am praying for you JZS. 1Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen,no ear has heard no mind can conceive what God has in store for those who believe in him”

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