Two is better than one
Thu Apr 17, 2008
By: By Ryan Chalmers
BROOKLIN -- When fraternal twins Kelly and Russell Cates step onto the wrestling mat, they go up against more than just one opponent. The Brooklin residents both suffer from hypoglycemia, a condition which occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low to provide sufficient energy for the bodies' normal activities. "It puts them at a disadvantage," said their Team Impact coach, Stan Tzogas. "The added challenge is that you can't drink a lot of water before a match or you will never make weight." Despite the added hardship, the twins who attend Oshawa's O'Neill Collegiate recently accomplished a rare feat when they both won gold medals in the cadet (U-17) division at the Ontario Winter Games. "It's cool that twins both placed first at a tournament," said Kelly, the older of the two, by a whole three minutes. "I think that's what the team wanted out of us and it makes us proud to be able to do that for them." Kelly and Russell, not yet 16, were both surprised at how well they were able to do. "I had an idea that I was going to do pretty well but it was surprising that I finished first," said Russell, bruised and battered after returning home from the nationals in Saskatchewan. Kelly, who had been struggling at recent tournaments, was shocked that she won, but felt very proud. "She was losing close matches and it was always in the final seconds," said Tzogas. "When that happens it's mental, kind of like second guessing your abilities. It was good to see her overcome that." She did that and more at nationals, earning bronze in the 52kg weight class, while Russell finished fourth at the 58kg weight limit. "Russell twisted his ankle in an attempt to stay in bounds," said Tzogas. "He was winning the match before that but because he dislocated a bone he was unable to continue." While most competitors would have been happy to win a medal, Kelly was disappointed with herself. "The girl that placed first was the same one that I beat at the winter games," Kelly said. Sportsmanship is the main thing for Russell, who has been wrestling for five years now after getting his start at Team Impact. His future plans include hopes of winning gold at nationals and obtaining a scholarship. "He's a great wrestler and could easily be the national champion one day," Tzogas said. Kelly started wrestling after watching how much fun her brother was having and is now in her third season. Like Russell, her goals are to win nationals for the juveniles, which is the next age group. After that she wants to go to the Pan-Americans, with eyes geared towards a scholarship, depending on the wrestling program. "She is a hard worker and leads by example," said Tzogas. "There is no limit with her because she is so aggressive which is a huge plus. You can't teach that. You either have it or you don't." Through it all, the most important thing for the twins is the purity of the sport and how all the wrestlers relate. "I feel really comfortable when I am around wrestlers because they have a lot of character," Kelly said. "Unlike other sports where people despise their opponents, wrestlers respect each other and treat one another like a best friend, even after a match."
Ryan Chalmers is a Durham College journalism student currently on placement with Metroland Durham Region Media Group