Dewey's Diva
06-04-2006, 05:12 PM
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/06/04/sports/pro/067acec5fee258a087257182006fb072.txt
A DIFFERENT KIND OF FIGHT
By JOHN LETASKY
Billings Gazette
Reese Andy found success on the wrestling mat at every level.
While at Skyview High School in Billings, Mont., Andy was a three-time state champion.
He went on to star at Wyoming, compiling a 110-29 record for the Cowboys from 1992-96 and becoming a three-time All-American. He finished second nationally at 177 pounds in both 1994 and 1996.
Now Andy is seeking success in the fight game.
The 33-year-old will be competing in Atlantic City today in the championship round of the International Fight League, a fledgling spinoff of the upstart mixed martial arts (MMA) scene. Andy is a member of the Tiger Sharks team that will be competing against the Silverbacks for the league title.
The former Cowboy doesn't expect the audience to intimidate him.
"I've had that in college with big wrestling and being on the stands in front of people," said Andy. "People knew who I was. It's kind of like the old college days, you know? ... There is anxiety, but I think if you've been involved in sports for a long time, it's easy to deal with. I imagine for some of these guys who have never been in that scene they'll be nervous."
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Andy is undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, but he's a newcomer to the sport. At 2-0, Andy will fight seasoned Travis Wiuff (40-8) at light heavyweight today.
A week before the semifinals, Andy, who now resides in Auburn, Wash., suffered a cut that required 14 stitches under his eye sparring while training and couldn't compete. His replacement lost his fight, but the Tiger Sharks won three out of five fights to advance to today's finals. Andy says he's healed and ready to brawl.
"It's going to be my last athletic challenge. This is it," said Andy. "I don't think I can do anything else, but wrestle or fight. I'll compete another two or five years and do life, you know."
With his athletic background, which includes boxing in grades 9-10, it seems Andy was a natural to get involved in MMA.
"Most of my fights end up in a clinch," said Andy. "They end up getting a hold of each other and it turns into a wrestling battle. There is striking on the feet and striking on the ground. You have to watch out for being caught in a hold. In wrestling it would be illegal, but in this sport it is legal.
"All the wrestling and mat time is really good for somebody wanting to get into mixed martial arts."
Andy, now a martial arts director for a fitness center near Seattle, said he heard about MMA five or six years ago and since jumping in the ring, Andy has traveled the world.
He's been to Korea and Japan to corner in fights. He has also competed in Brazil, Hawaii and New Jersey. The flights and hotels are all paid for, along with a salary.
"It's not like you are chasing medals and ribbons anymore. You are getting paid to work out and paid to compete," said Andy. "Some ex-college wrestlers are doing really well. I thought I'd just give myself a crack and see how it would go and so far it's good."
IFL Tracker
n TODAY: Tiger Sharks vs. Silverbacks.
n LOCAL TIE: Former UW All-American Reese Andy will compete in the light heavyweight bout.
n TV: FSRM, 6 p.m.
n ABOUT IFL: The IFL is a mixed martial arts (MMA) league. Teams of five fighters in five different weight classes meet and each representative of their respective weight class fight. The team with the most wins advances. MMA is a combination of karate, judo, kick boxing, wrestling, boxing and jiu-jitsu.
n IFL GROWING: Four teams competed in the pilot season. Andy said the league expects to expand to at least eight teams for his second run, which will begin in the fall.
John Letasky is a sportswriter for the Billings (Mont.) Gazette
A DIFFERENT KIND OF FIGHT
By JOHN LETASKY
Billings Gazette
Reese Andy found success on the wrestling mat at every level.
While at Skyview High School in Billings, Mont., Andy was a three-time state champion.
He went on to star at Wyoming, compiling a 110-29 record for the Cowboys from 1992-96 and becoming a three-time All-American. He finished second nationally at 177 pounds in both 1994 and 1996.
Now Andy is seeking success in the fight game.
The 33-year-old will be competing in Atlantic City today in the championship round of the International Fight League, a fledgling spinoff of the upstart mixed martial arts (MMA) scene. Andy is a member of the Tiger Sharks team that will be competing against the Silverbacks for the league title.
The former Cowboy doesn't expect the audience to intimidate him.
"I've had that in college with big wrestling and being on the stands in front of people," said Andy. "People knew who I was. It's kind of like the old college days, you know? ... There is anxiety, but I think if you've been involved in sports for a long time, it's easy to deal with. I imagine for some of these guys who have never been in that scene they'll be nervous."
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Andy is undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, but he's a newcomer to the sport. At 2-0, Andy will fight seasoned Travis Wiuff (40-8) at light heavyweight today.
A week before the semifinals, Andy, who now resides in Auburn, Wash., suffered a cut that required 14 stitches under his eye sparring while training and couldn't compete. His replacement lost his fight, but the Tiger Sharks won three out of five fights to advance to today's finals. Andy says he's healed and ready to brawl.
"It's going to be my last athletic challenge. This is it," said Andy. "I don't think I can do anything else, but wrestle or fight. I'll compete another two or five years and do life, you know."
With his athletic background, which includes boxing in grades 9-10, it seems Andy was a natural to get involved in MMA.
"Most of my fights end up in a clinch," said Andy. "They end up getting a hold of each other and it turns into a wrestling battle. There is striking on the feet and striking on the ground. You have to watch out for being caught in a hold. In wrestling it would be illegal, but in this sport it is legal.
"All the wrestling and mat time is really good for somebody wanting to get into mixed martial arts."
Andy, now a martial arts director for a fitness center near Seattle, said he heard about MMA five or six years ago and since jumping in the ring, Andy has traveled the world.
He's been to Korea and Japan to corner in fights. He has also competed in Brazil, Hawaii and New Jersey. The flights and hotels are all paid for, along with a salary.
"It's not like you are chasing medals and ribbons anymore. You are getting paid to work out and paid to compete," said Andy. "Some ex-college wrestlers are doing really well. I thought I'd just give myself a crack and see how it would go and so far it's good."
IFL Tracker
n TODAY: Tiger Sharks vs. Silverbacks.
n LOCAL TIE: Former UW All-American Reese Andy will compete in the light heavyweight bout.
n TV: FSRM, 6 p.m.
n ABOUT IFL: The IFL is a mixed martial arts (MMA) league. Teams of five fighters in five different weight classes meet and each representative of their respective weight class fight. The team with the most wins advances. MMA is a combination of karate, judo, kick boxing, wrestling, boxing and jiu-jitsu.
n IFL GROWING: Four teams competed in the pilot season. Andy said the league expects to expand to at least eight teams for his second run, which will begin in the fall.
John Letasky is a sportswriter for the Billings (Mont.) Gazette