MATSIDE CHAT, Continued from page 25
ing to sacrifice whatever it takes. Why wouldn’t I align myself with that? They are living my dream.
USA Wrestler: The Kiki Cup was changed to the Jack Pinto Cup, honoring the youth wrestler killed in the school shooting in Connecticut. What was it like bringing the Pinto family to the event?
Kelley: That Friday when it happened, Coach Fraser hap- pened to be in Minnesota and Dave Surofchek was there visit- ing with me in Minnesota. Dave’s son Carter was there and our kids were playing. They were about the same age as Jack Pinto. They were wrestling, boxing, running around. We were sickened. That could be our kids. It just started from there. It wouldn’t leave us. There was something about that which was so horrible. I think it was Fraser who came up with the idea, and both Dave and I said ‘that’s it. It has to be named for him.’ Fraser had the story about Jack’s tooth being knocked out. We said that was exactly how the Greco guys are. We were con- cerned how the family would feel. USA Wrestling contacted the Pinto family. Right away, Dean Pinto said they were honored. They were most concerned about the remaining brother and how difficult it was for him. I felt that they would know their child was not forgotten. It reminds us in the wrestling community that we are blessed to have our children. The first year they were supposed to come, but the last minute they said they were not ready. The second year, Dean and his son came. It was the first time they said they hadn’t cried in an interview and they felt wel- comed. We tried to make it as positive as possible and as uplift- ing as possible.
USA Wrestler: Tell us about becoming USA Wrestling’s Greco-Roman Team Leader? Kelley: We were with our family on vacation. Coach Fraser called and asked if I wanted to be team leader and I laughed. I asked if he were joking. He said he was serious and he would need a bio from me. I had no resume with me. I wrote my bio on napkins.
I said, ‘Coach if you believe in me, I am going to do it.’ Nothing that has come to me I have ever expected. Just like our Greco team members, other people see potential in me that I didn’t see. I trusted Coach Fraser in his decision. I am going to do my best. I will try to live up to what he believed in me.
USA Wrestler: You went to the Greco-Roman World Cup in Iran earlier this year. Were you concerned about being a woman in that setting? Kelley: I didn’t have time to be nervous. First, we didn’t think it would happen. When Coach Fraser found out that it would happen, I had maybe a day to get my visa materials in. I ended up taking bandanas and wrapping them around my head. I found a lovely Somali woman at Walgreens that helped me take the visa picture. I didn’t think about the danger or the stereo- types. Fraser is always brutally honest. He said it would be unusual for them to let you into the arena. I said I still wanted to go and support our guys there. I had a gut instinct that I needed to go there.
The visa was given to me, and it was really happening. Then I freaked out. Being a girl, I said what do I wear? We decided I would error towards conservatism. I was not there to make waves or to make a point. I was there to support my team. I knew I needed to cover myself. That’s not really that unusual in the Midwest anyway. We are very modest people. I found the outfits comfortable. I arrived in a black headscarf and a full black robe.
32 USA Wrestler
USA Wrestler: How were you treated by the people of Iran, when you led the U.S. delegation at the World Cup? Kelley: It was a continuous procession of stereotypes and
expectations falling apart. I had expectations of being quiet and in the background. They had expectations of me being an upstart American woman. We didn’t know what to make of each other. All of our minds were blown. Right away, I was able to respond to them on a human level. There was a comfort level. In their culture, hospitality, generosity and kindness are a basic part of the fabric of their world. They were gentle and wonderful. I learned enough Farsi to say please and thank you. We broke through that barrier to humanity. It was a good match. I felt safe and protected. I had no expectations. I was in the moment at every point of that journey.
USA Wrestler: Talk about the opening ceremonies and your attendance at the competition. Kelley: It started at the FILA meetings when I realized I was the only woman at the House of Wrestling and the only one to have been there in an official position for a long time. I decided just to do my job. Afterwards, some Iranian student journalists pulled me aside, the Iranian Student Network. They asked me why I was dressed like that. I said I wanted to show respect for your culture and I am a visitor here. I knew it was a big risk to invite me. I was surprised how much they put me on film and in the spotlight. The next day, I was all over the newspapers. I did- n’t expect to be part of the opening ceremonies. It wasn’t me or the American delegation that asked for me to be involved. It was the Iranians who led the charge.
USA Wrestler: You stayed in Iran after the World Cup ended to tour the nation and meet its people. Tell us about that oppor- tunity.
Kelley: The Iranians were so pleased with our visit that they decided to invite me. They asked me if I wanted to stay on for an extra six days. I said that I would. Jim Ravannack said he’d stay an extra day to see if it was on the up-and-up. I went with my gut and trusted them. They paid for everything. I got to see other houses of wrestling. I met young people. I went to an orphanage. I had a videographer and cameraperson wherever I went. I met with a woman parliamentarian. I went to art muse- ums. I got an amazing behind-the-scenes tour of Iran that oth- ers had never seen. I was touched to my core. It was the best trip I have ever had in my life. Everybody was so hospitable. The women were strong and educated. Everyone was very open. Ever since then, I’ve had multitude of Facebook friends, email friends and phone calls from people throughout the region because of the interviews I did.
USA Wrestler: What do you enjoy about being active with
USA Wrestling and working with the athletes, coaches and lead- ers?
Kelley: When you meet the people from your planet, it is a rare and beautiful thing. They are my people. I can’t explain it. This is my world. I know I am meant to be there. Maybe it’s to be a mom for them. Maybe it is to help the guys to understand their own potential. I am sure I am supposed to be in this world. However I can help, I will. I like to be in the background. But I have been in the foreground recently, with the Iran trip and such. It’s not my natural place. But if that brings publicity to our Greco team and helps us forge bonds with other countries, then that’s what I am here for.
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