Sikora wins national championship
Senior ends his career on top, becomes first wrestler in school history to accomplish feat
Andy Weise
Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: Campus News
Placing third or fifth in a national meet for most people would be a great accomplishment. For UW-Eau Claire senior wrestler Derek Sikora, who had taken those two places in the last two years, there was only one goal this year: first place.
On Saturday, this goal became a reality as Sikora became the first Blugold wrestler in university history to win a national championship at the 2006 NCAA Wrestling Championships held at the College of New Jersey.
"It was a relief to win," Sikora said. "Being ranked No. 1 and having the No.-1 seed puts some pressure on you. It was a good end of my career wrestling."
After wrestling in four separate matches, Sikora, at 165 pounds, defeated Ryan Valek of Augsburg (Minn.), the No. 2-ranked wrestler, with a score of 6-4.
Sikora said he gives some credit for his success in the sport to many people, starting with coaches from middle school all the way to Eau Claire. He also gave a lot of credit to his brother.
"My brother is a trainer at Lifetime Fitness and helped me with a program to stay in shape this year after football," he said. "(I) did a lot of running in the morning before practice, had to cut about 14 pounds before the season and didn't go out all wrestling season."
Sikora's coach, Don Parker, said before any of the matches Sikora was very focused and knew what his mission was. He also said because Sikora had been to nationals the past two years, he knew what to expect.
"He's a two-time All-American," he said. "He knew exactly what the venue was and that helps out a lot because he's been there and it wasn't any surprise for him."
Sikora said his coaches helped him a lot in preparation for the big meet.
"It kind of turned into a big scouting thing before the first match," he said. "Before you wrestle the other guy you'd ask the coaches what's his style and they usually just tell (me) to watch out for this or do
this move."
Parker, gave Sikora a big hug after he won, and said he was very happy for Sikora, his, and the university's, first national championship.
"He is a good athlete for one thing, wouldn't be good in two sports if he wasn't a good athlete," he said. "He has a heck of a drive and knew it took a lot of work. He knew what he wanted to do this year and that's the reason why he became a national champion."
Sikora said he will take away a lot from this triumph, and his whole college career altogether.
"Just meeting so many people, (I've) made so many friendships even from other schools," he said. "The experience of competing in a college sport is a great experience in itself and being successful adds a lot more to the experience."
On Saturday, this goal became a reality as Sikora became the first Blugold wrestler in university history to win a national championship at the 2006 NCAA Wrestling Championships held at the College of New Jersey.
"It was a relief to win," Sikora said. "Being ranked No. 1 and having the No.-1 seed puts some pressure on you. It was a good end of my career wrestling."
After wrestling in four separate matches, Sikora, at 165 pounds, defeated Ryan Valek of Augsburg (Minn.), the No. 2-ranked wrestler, with a score of 6-4.
Sikora said he gives some credit for his success in the sport to many people, starting with coaches from middle school all the way to Eau Claire. He also gave a lot of credit to his brother.
"My brother is a trainer at Lifetime Fitness and helped me with a program to stay in shape this year after football," he said. "(I) did a lot of running in the morning before practice, had to cut about 14 pounds before the season and didn't go out all wrestling season."
Sikora's coach, Don Parker, said before any of the matches Sikora was very focused and knew what his mission was. He also said because Sikora had been to nationals the past two years, he knew what to expect.
"He's a two-time All-American," he said. "He knew exactly what the venue was and that helps out a lot because he's been there and it wasn't any surprise for him."
Sikora said his coaches helped him a lot in preparation for the big meet.
"It kind of turned into a big scouting thing before the first match," he said. "Before you wrestle the other guy you'd ask the coaches what's his style and they usually just tell (me) to watch out for this or do
this move."
Parker, gave Sikora a big hug after he won, and said he was very happy for Sikora, his, and the university's, first national championship.
"He is a good athlete for one thing, wouldn't be good in two sports if he wasn't a good athlete," he said. "He has a heck of a drive and knew it took a lot of work. He knew what he wanted to do this year and that's the reason why he became a national champion."
Sikora said he will take away a lot from this triumph, and his whole college career altogether.
"Just meeting so many people, (I've) made so many friendships even from other schools," he said. "The experience of competing in a college sport is a great experience in itself and being successful adds a lot more to the experience."