by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
FORESTERS FALLS — Wrestler Erica Wiebe is the third Canadian female wrestler to ever win an Olympic medal, and she captured gold in the 75kg category. This was her first time competing in the Olympic Games and she defeated Kazakhstan’s Guzel Manyurova – a two-time Olympic medallist – 6-0 in the gold medal match.
Foresters Falls wrestler Teegan Tabbert was watching Wiebe’s gold medal match on the television.
She first met Wiebe three years ago at a clinic in Ottawa, and since then, has been at many clinics Wiebe has been the guest wrestler.
Teegan said when she heard at Christmas that Erica was going to the Olympics, there was no doubt in her mind she’d win the gold.
“She works hard and is a really good wrestler,” Teegan said, with her mom Lynda adding, “She wrestles in many styles. She can counter-act whatever is thrown at her. She uses all her moves.”
Wrestling for a few years now, 16-year-old Teegan noted as for her competing at the Olympics, she’s not going to say no. Her goal is to continue with the Renfrew Wrestling Club and be on the wrestling mat while attending a university, which is still at least two years away.
“Erica is Teegan’s inspiration,” Lynda said, adding, “She’s her idol and her mentor, someone she looks up to.”
Upon returning from Rio de Janiero, Erica was in Stittsville and Teegan, along with wrestling friends Cole Herbert, Lily Warren and Savana Pinsent, went to the meet and greet.
“It’s not often you get to meet your hero,” Teegan said.
Erica autographed two photos for Teegan. On one of them she wrote, “The Now” with an arrow pointing to herself and “The Future” with an arrow pointing to Teegan.
