#TeamUSATuesday: Women's Freestyle National Team member Tamyra Mensah-Stock

Tamyra Mensah-Stock is currently the No. 1 wrestler at 68 kg for Team USA’s Women’s Freestyle National Team.
The 26-year-old Texas native attended Wayland Baptist University where she was a two-time WCWA Nationals champion and a University Nationals champion for the Pioneers. 
She currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo. and trains at the OTC. 
Mensah-Stock earned her first Senior World medal last fall when she won the bronze medal in Budapest, Hungary. She is the only U.S. wrestler to ever win three straight Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix titles. 
Mensah-Stock took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions. Here are her top answers.


What is your favorite movie?
Right off the bat I thought of The Little Mermaid because it was one of my childhood favorite movies. When I saw it in the theaters, my twin sister had to leave the theater and I was balling because Ariel’s voice got taken.


Who is your favorite musical artist?
I would have to say Lil Wayne. Only because he has an actual degree. He seems like a gangster, but he’s actually really smart. From what I know, he’s actually a pretty good guy. All of his old stuff I really love. 
What is your favorite food?
Mac and cheese. My mom makes the best oven mac and cheese. It’s ridiculous. It makes anyone who’s not a macaroni and cheese lover, love mac and cheese for that time.
What is your favorite sport to watch other than wrestling?
I would have to say figure skating. I don’t watch it a lot, but I enjoy it because it’s elegant and it’s on the ice. It’s like ballet, but it’s way more difficult because it’s on the ice.


Who is your favorite wrestler to watch either past or present?
That’s a tough one because there’s so many entertaining ones. Someone who has a whole bunch of finesse is Kamal (Bey). He always finds a way to do some kind of throw and he’s so athletic. 
How did you get involved in wrestling?
My twin sister suggested I get involved when they needed athletes. I joined in 10th grade and I wanted to quit so bad. I felt like every time I got put back down on the mat, people were being mean to me. And when I went to track practice I was like, “nobodies touching me, I don’t have germs or sweat all over me.” But when I beat a state qualifier up two weights in my first dual, I was like, “okay, I can probably do this sport.”


Why do you like dancing so much?
I’ve always been a happy-go-lucky person. If I wasn’t in wrestling, I wanted to be a dancer. It’s tough and it takes athleticism. It brings so many smiles to people faces. All forms, it’s all so awesome, and I’ve loved it since I was a kid. 


What was your major in college?
Exercise sports management with a minor in business management. I chose that because I was trying to become a physical therapist. When I graduated, I decided being a coach would be way more beneficial. I wanted to help people and I wanted to prehab people instead of dealing with the aftermath of them getting hurt. Being a coach, I could be with athletes most of the time and influence them in a better way than who they listen to on the radio or are on reality TV shows that aren’t great role models. 


How has wrestling impacted your life?
When I was in track and field, I was bullied. I was constantly quiet, but when I went to wrestling practice, I was overjoyed and constantly having fun. It helped me develop who I am as a person and brought so many friends and opportunities to my life. 


What kind of advice would you give to a young girl just starting wrestling?
Remember to not give up on yourself and have fun. With those two things tied in together, she’ll thrive. For me, this isn’t a job, it’s actually really fun. Had I quite before I really got started, I don’t know where I would be today. 
Do you have any prematch rituals?
I do. I sing a song to myself that’s by Lil Wayne. Then when a match or two before I get on the mat, I sit in the squat position and I blank out everything that’s going on around me and focus on my breathing. I do that for about a minute and then I’m ready to wrestle.


What motivates you during training?
The motivation is a little prideful. I want to be better than all my opponents and I don’t want them to be able to score on me. When I used to let people do what they want to me on the mat, I felt like I wasn’t giving God glory and I was holding back. 


Did you play any other sports growing up?
I was in track and field. I tried tennis for a month because I wanted to be like Venus and Serena, but then I realized it sucked. 


What are some hobbies of yours off the mat?
Video games on the Xbox One console.
The Mensah-Stock file

Birthday: Oct. 11, 1992
High School: Katy, Texas (Morton Ranch)
College: Wayland Baptist University
Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club: Titan Mercury Wrestling Club
Twitter: @MensahTamStock
Instagram: @mensahtamyrastock
• 2018 World bronze medalist
• 2017, 2018, and 2019 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix champion
• 2017 World Team Trials champion
• 2016 Olympic Trials Champion
• 2016 and 2018 U.S. Open champion
• 2015 University Nationals champion
• 2014 and 2017 WCWA Nationals champion
• 2010 and 2011 Texas high school girls state champion