FARGO FEATURE: Victoria Anthony's banner year continues at Junior Nationals
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by Craig Sesker
FARGO, N.D. - Victoria Anthony can't stop smiling these days.
And it's easy to see why.
The talented young Californian, one of the best young women's freestyle prospects in the country, has enjoyed a superb season.
The 17-year-old Anthony will wrestle in the upcoming Junior World Championships. Before that, she's trying to win a title at the Junior Nationals today in Fargo.
Anthony rolled to four lopsided wins in the 102-pound bracket on Monday morning. She will meet Candace Workman of Utah in Monday afternoon's finals. Anthony placed second in this event in 2006 and third last year.
"I just mainly need to stay focused and stay in my zone here at this tournament," Anthony said. "I just can't get distracted."
Anthony is working closely with U.S. National Women's Assistant Coach Vladislav "Izzy" Izboinikov as she goes into a tough stretch of events.
Anthony beat past Junior World champion Nicole Woody to make the Junior World Team this year.
"This has probably been the best year of my life, it's been great," she said. "I've been to so many places. I went to Sweden, and stopped in London and Denmark on that trip. Then we're going to Turkey for Junior Worlds."
The FILA Junior World Championships will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 29-Aug. 3.
"At Junior Worlds, I just need to use the same strategy that I always have," said Anthony, who will be a senior in high school. "I just have to approach it like any other tournament. Stay in good position, wrestle smart and stay focused. My goal obviously is to go over there and win it."
Anthony said all the buzz surrounding the upcoming Olympics has her already thinking about her ultimate goal for 2012.
"It was so exciting just watching the Olympic Trials this year," Anthony said. "It's definitely my goal, to be an Olympic champion someday. Just thinking about that gets me excited to go out and wrestle.
And it's easy to see why.
The talented young Californian, one of the best young women's freestyle prospects in the country, has enjoyed a superb season.
The 17-year-old Anthony will wrestle in the upcoming Junior World Championships. Before that, she's trying to win a title at the Junior Nationals today in Fargo.
Anthony rolled to four lopsided wins in the 102-pound bracket on Monday morning. She will meet Candace Workman of Utah in Monday afternoon's finals. Anthony placed second in this event in 2006 and third last year.
"I just mainly need to stay focused and stay in my zone here at this tournament," Anthony said. "I just can't get distracted."
Anthony is working closely with U.S. National Women's Assistant Coach Vladislav "Izzy" Izboinikov as she goes into a tough stretch of events.
Anthony beat past Junior World champion Nicole Woody to make the Junior World Team this year.
"This has probably been the best year of my life, it's been great," she said. "I've been to so many places. I went to Sweden, and stopped in London and Denmark on that trip. Then we're going to Turkey for Junior Worlds."
The FILA Junior World Championships will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 29-Aug. 3.
"At Junior Worlds, I just need to use the same strategy that I always have," said Anthony, who will be a senior in high school. "I just have to approach it like any other tournament. Stay in good position, wrestle smart and stay focused. My goal obviously is to go over there and win it."
Anthony said all the buzz surrounding the upcoming Olympics has her already thinking about her ultimate goal for 2012.
"It was so exciting just watching the Olympic Trials this year," Anthony said. "It's definitely my goal, to be an Olympic champion someday. Just thinking about that gets me excited to go out and wrestle.
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