Female Athletes

The women's NCAA basketball tournament—so far a tournament of upsets—continues this weekend, with regional semifinals airing on ESPN Saturday and Sunday. Alas, yours truly isn't doing so great with his picks. Methinks I played it too safe.

And tonight on ESPN, Her Story, a one-hour special hosted by Hannah Storm that spotlights young female athletes, the culmination of a celebration of women in sports to honor Women's History Month.

Today's ragbag ends with Gina Carano. Want to know what she's up to? Probably best to learn from her:

The female bodybuilder is not only an athlete but also an artist; her body is her canvas; her strength, the beauty of her art—a beauty that is earned, genuine.

Observe bodybuilder Debi Laszewski at work in her studio, the gym:

Time only for a short post today, but the following are noteworthy items that I didn't want to neglect.

Whatever you do in the coming days, make a point to watch Angel of Death, a Web miniseries starring esteemed stuntwoman Zoe Bell. Watch all ten episodes online, but be forewarned: this is not for anyone put off by blood, violence there is aplenty. Here, Zoe vividly reminds us that, when the right woman is put in the role (athletic, solidly built, and expertly trained), an action film or series can be equally impressive with a female in the lead—nay, even more so. If you are anything like me, you will be hooked after the first episode.

To be a Utah Jazz dancer means not only much dance practice but also demanding workouts. A Utah Stories feature gives a peek at what is expected of these dedicated young women.

The NCAA Selection Special airs tonight on ESPN. That's right, March Madness is here, and after tonight's selection show, you will be able to print a bracket and start making your picks.

Some years ago, 1994 or thereabouts, I attended a professional conference in San Jose, California. I recall fondly the gorgeous weather, warm sunshine and cloudless blue skies every day, and the wonderful downtown nightlife, located so conveniently within walking distance of our hotel. The conference itself, not so memorable; but then, few are.

One evening, during one of our routine explorations of said nightlife, my traveling companion and I wandered into a fairly large nightclub, of which the name now escapes me. We were greeted at the door by the customary bevy of bouncers one expects at such establishments. But here was something different, notable: a young woman who appeared to be a senior, or perhaps the lead, bouncer. Neither large nor small, she was slender yet aptly muscled, friendly enough but with an intense look about her. Also striking was how she commanded the respect of her fellow bouncers and regular patrons alike. I was, as routine visitors to this blog have no doubt already surmised, quite fascinated.

After the door area had cleared out somewhat, and I had steeled for myself sufficient nerve, I went up to speak with her. I learned that she was an accomplished martial artist (holder of several black belts) working part-time then as a bouncer, if I remember correctly to support herself while she completed a college degree. She was not only friendly and courteous but also very modest; obviously not one to brag, she downplayed her role as a bouncer. Later, back at our table, one of the male bouncers made her standing crystal-clear to us: she was not someone to trifle with, and in fact had, on more than one occasion, dispatched a belligerent male drunk without need of any assistance.

Though I have no idea why someone would want to do it—the odd hours and generally obnoxious music being two strikes against it, to my mind—I know that there are many athletic women, more than a few frequent this blog, who are unimpeachably qualified for bouncer work, much like the young woman I met in San Jose so long ago, and the young woman who is the focus of the following clip, Nicki Dawes:

A cute but telling compilation produced from the copious supply of online videos that exhibit girls/women beating boys/men in arm-wrestling matches. (You may want to turn down or mute the volume—there is a bit of strong language near the end.)

Teamwork is required to win championships in team sports. There is no way around it. I was reminded of this Saturday night as I watched the Mansfield Summit Jaguars upset Brittney Griner's Aldine Nimitz Cougars in the Texas Class 5A basketball championship match. (I pay for an extra sports package, so I can watch more women's sports, and once again it has rewarded me.)

The Jaguars made Griner inconsequential, as much as that is possible anyway, by not allowing her teammates to feed her the ball. Indeed, constant pressure from the Jaguars resulted in 24 turnovers by the Cougars. Griner had a good game (21 points, 12 rebounds, 9 blocked shots), but persistent hustle and great team defensive play from the Jaguars caused her Cougar teammates to fold.

No need for Griner to worry, though. I expect she will have many more opportunities to win championships, starting next in the NCAA with the Baylor Bears.

But for now: Congratulations, Lady Jaguars!

This news merits first mention, though doing so perhaps betrays a self-involved disposition on my part. I'm pleased to announce that this blog is now part of the Women Talk Sports Network. I didn't even have to beg; they let me join despite my inferior biology. This new network is both fun and useful—one-stop surfing for all things related to female athletes and women's sports. Be sure to bookmark it!

Brittney Griner continues to astonish the basketball world. Only two games away from a Texas state championship, she will lead her Nimitz Cougars in a Class 5A semifinal game tonight.

I also have Wonder Woman news. First, the DVD release this week of the animated movie (available on amazon.com). Second, this little tidbit, but I doubt it means anything, much as I like Eliza Dushku.

Speaking of Eliza, have you seen this commercial?

Whatever ill can fairly be said of professional wrestling as an enterprise, that female professional wrestlers are outstanding athletes cannot be denied. For the embodiment of this simple truth, look no further than Gail Kim. In the ring, with high-flying maneuvers that often challenge established laws of physics, Kim leaves no doubt of her unsurpassed athletic ability. In style, technique, athleticism, she is among the foremost wrestlers of her generation—irrespective of gender.

After a long stint with TNA, Kim recently re-signed with WWE, where she will be part of the SmackDown telecast on Friday nights. Fans are excited, as they should be. This WWE promotional spot anticipates her return:



Another clip, one of many such fan tributes, gives a sense of the excitement her ring performances engender. If like me you don't have the stomach for a steady diet of professional wrestling, it is still worth your while to tune in whenever Gail Kim is scheduled to appear; not often does the opportunity to watch a world-class athlete perform in so freewheeling an environment present itself:

This life can, at times, be a struggle more bitter than sweet for all, and a particularly treacherous one for some. Little more than a year ago Shelley Beattie took leave of it; hers seems to have been one such struggle.

A great athlete and yet greater person, her beautiful soul continues to be missed: