Q&A with Cleveland HS alum, GCU wrestler Samantha Tuttle
RIO RANCHO, N.M. — A Q&A with Samantha Tuttle who is currently wrestling at Grand Canyon University and attended Cleveland High School.
Name: Samantha Tuttle
Age: 21
Sport: Wrestling
Sports participated in: Wrestling, Cross Country, Track
Years in current sport: 9 years
Team: Grand Canyon University Wrestling Club
School: Grand Canyon University
Grade/Year:聽 Junior
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Samantha Tuttle: I have already gained a lot from being a wrestler and I look forward to keep learning about myself through the sport. My wrestlers dream is to really just be a role model to others especially young girls that gain inspiration from seeing how far I’ve come as a woman in a male dominated sport.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Tuttle: My biggest challenge surprisingly isn’t cutting weight. My biggest challenge that I have faced throughout my athletic journey with wrestling has always been me not trusting myself. I often doubt my abilities. I started wrestling in middle school and was one of the only girls wrestling in my area. Then in high school I was the first female in school history to be on the wrestling team for all four years. It was very tough entering the men’s world of wrestling because many didn’t want me there. I was often mocked and laughed at when attending tournaments. This really hurt my self esteem but luckily I had many around me that encouraged me and help me get through it. I remember my mom would always tell me “the only thing that is going to shut them up is if you keep going” she was always reminding me I belong where I do just as much as any other male in the sport.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Tuttle: My coach (Evan Copeland) in high school would always tell us “wrestling mirrors life” meaning the integrity, dedication, and discipline needed in the sport also applies to life everyday whether its school, work or even relationships with those around you. It is important to focus on all aspects of life and to be the best you can be as an athlete, employee, student, daughter, friend, teammate etc…
Do you have a saying or motto that you like to live by?
Tuttle: Every wrestler knows this quote from Dan Gable 鈥淥nce you鈥檝e wrestled, everything else in life is easy.鈥� This quote can lead into another that is popular in the wrestling world聽 “If wrestling was easy, everyone would do it”
What do you love about your sport?
Tuttle: I love the community. Despite the sexism I’ve had to battle throughout my whole wrestling career I would like to mention how much support I’ve had from countless people male and female. Here is a way to look at a wrestling match two opponents are throwing each other around for about 6 minutes straight giving each other a hard time then when the whistle blows they help each other up smile, shake hands then hug. I love it.
Do you play in college? If not, would you like to?
Tuttle: Currently I wrestle at Grand Canyon University and plan to until I graduate.
Anything else you鈥檇 like to share?
Tuttle: I am so grateful for the adversity I鈥檝e had to face in the past and what I am still dealing with it because it made me a better wrestler and a better person. My struggles show my dedication to this amazing sport.
Where do/did you go to school/where do you work?
Tuttle: It is important for me to mention I wrestled at V. Sue Cleveland High school because it is a huge part of my journey that I am very grateful for.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Tuttle: Outside of wrestling I love to spend time with the people I am close with. It doesn’t matter the activity but I really value my time with loved ones.
How would you describe your personality?
Tuttle: I am very empathetic, understanding, and opinionated. Whether there are millions that agree with me or I stand alone, I will always speak and follow what I believe in.
What is your favorite snack food?
Tuttle: Not sure if tacos are considered a snack but tacos.
What is your favorite song or music artist to get you ready for a game?
Tuttle: Can’t ever go wrong with Eminem
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Tuttle: Yes. The night before I compete I visualize matches when I’m falling asleep. Step by step I wrestle a match in my head. Calculate all of my moves. The next morning when I wake up, I check my weight then get ready for the day. I like to disconnect with the world around me and only focus on wrestling, I put my headphones on and keep them on until team warmups. When I am waiting for my name to be called up to the mat I pace back and forth watching the few matches in front of me when there is only one match left before me I zone in take my warm ups off bounce around then once I hear my name, its go time.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Tuttle: Although wrestling is an individual sport having a good team environment is essential. Everyday sweat and hard work is put into practice. If you don鈥檛 do this you are letting your partner down. Being a good teammate requires you to be the best you can be as a partner. Being a teammate has taught me that I can鈥檛 help my teammates improve if I am not doing my best. This is a part of life because I learned if I am always being the best version of myself, it will help others around me do the same.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Tuttle: Once again I will talk about My high school coach Evan Copeland. He has taught me a lot about wrestling of course but also life. He always emphasised to take care of relationships around you. Even after being at college away from home I still manage to keep a good relationships with my loved ones back at home.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Tuttle: Mistakes are constantly being made during matches. Sometimes this has caused me to lose and sometimes I recover from my mistakes and win. But mistakes are essential to learning.
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