Post by Banana Cat on Nov 3, 2011 23:30:02 GMT -5
www.lfl360.com/articles/samoan-beast-sunshine-misa-uli-las-vegas-sin/
THE SAMOAN BEAST – SUNSHINE MISA-ULI, LAS VEGAS SIN
Football is not a traditional sport for females. In fact, until the development of flag football in high schools, competitive football was seen as something strictly for boys and men.
Wrestling isn’t a traditional sport for females, either. In some schools, it’s considered a combat sport; something to be limited to boys only.
Unless you’re Sunshine Misa-Uli, you play multiple varsity sports, and your nickname is “The Samoan Beast”.
“My junior year I decided to try wrestling since it was between basketball and volleyball seasons (although basketball and wrestling seasons overlapped). I juggled both practices daily. It was exhausting! I honestly jumped into the sport not knowing anything about it. My first day at practice the coach gave me a rude awakening – I left with a bloody nose! That didn’t stop me from coming back to practice, though. I liked the challenge! In my first match, I pinned my opponent in eight seconds and my coach automatically told me ‘You’re taking State this year, so I’m going to make sure you’re ready’! My coaches always had me wrestling different weight classes in practice to make me stronger and faster. It was definitely a challenge! One thing I will always remember my coach telling me was ‘You’re a different breed of athlete.’”
She then won back to back State championships in Hawai’i in the 175lb class as a wrestler. Her wrestling team also won State her senior year. And if that isn’t enough, she made All-State in volleyball and basketball, went to the University of Houston on a basketball scholarship, played volleyball, and played semi-pro basketball in Houston (something she still does today).
“I think wrestling is a great sport for women because, who says a woman can’t do the same things that the average man can do? We’re just as competitive as men. The sport is more mental than physical, so when you’re competing you can be in the best shape and still lose because you’re not mentally strong. I took my training from wrestling and adapted it to every other sport I’ve ever played.”
And that includes playing end for the Las Vegas Sin.
“I just figured football would be a great sport to try and I didn’t realize I would actually be good at it. All of my brothers played the sport and growing up I wanted to play it, too, but my parents forced me to be a cheerleader. I was miserable. At first I was a little hesitant about the LFL because of the uniform, but I realized that if this is what we have to wear to get recognition as athletes, then I’m willing to do it.”
Any advice you’d like to pass along to other aspiring wrestlers and football players?
“Consider trying the sport out. Not only will it help you stay healthy but it could also open doors for you in the near future in terms of getting an athletic scholarships, recognition in the community as an student-athlete, and other great opportunities. I was very fortunate to be blessed with an athletic scholarship and it made things a lot easier for my parents. I’m the youngest of eight and I knew my parents couldn’t afford to send me to college. It was either go to college or join the service with my siblings. Playing sports has really opened a lot of doors for me and I’m sure it could do the same for a lot of these young girls out there.”
Football is not a traditional sport for females. In fact, until the development of flag football in high schools, competitive football was seen as something strictly for boys and men.
Wrestling isn’t a traditional sport for females, either. In some schools, it’s considered a combat sport; something to be limited to boys only.
Unless you’re Sunshine Misa-Uli, you play multiple varsity sports, and your nickname is “The Samoan Beast”.
“My junior year I decided to try wrestling since it was between basketball and volleyball seasons (although basketball and wrestling seasons overlapped). I juggled both practices daily. It was exhausting! I honestly jumped into the sport not knowing anything about it. My first day at practice the coach gave me a rude awakening – I left with a bloody nose! That didn’t stop me from coming back to practice, though. I liked the challenge! In my first match, I pinned my opponent in eight seconds and my coach automatically told me ‘You’re taking State this year, so I’m going to make sure you’re ready’! My coaches always had me wrestling different weight classes in practice to make me stronger and faster. It was definitely a challenge! One thing I will always remember my coach telling me was ‘You’re a different breed of athlete.’”
She then won back to back State championships in Hawai’i in the 175lb class as a wrestler. Her wrestling team also won State her senior year. And if that isn’t enough, she made All-State in volleyball and basketball, went to the University of Houston on a basketball scholarship, played volleyball, and played semi-pro basketball in Houston (something she still does today).
“I think wrestling is a great sport for women because, who says a woman can’t do the same things that the average man can do? We’re just as competitive as men. The sport is more mental than physical, so when you’re competing you can be in the best shape and still lose because you’re not mentally strong. I took my training from wrestling and adapted it to every other sport I’ve ever played.”
And that includes playing end for the Las Vegas Sin.
“I just figured football would be a great sport to try and I didn’t realize I would actually be good at it. All of my brothers played the sport and growing up I wanted to play it, too, but my parents forced me to be a cheerleader. I was miserable. At first I was a little hesitant about the LFL because of the uniform, but I realized that if this is what we have to wear to get recognition as athletes, then I’m willing to do it.”
Any advice you’d like to pass along to other aspiring wrestlers and football players?
“Consider trying the sport out. Not only will it help you stay healthy but it could also open doors for you in the near future in terms of getting an athletic scholarships, recognition in the community as an student-athlete, and other great opportunities. I was very fortunate to be blessed with an athletic scholarship and it made things a lot easier for my parents. I’m the youngest of eight and I knew my parents couldn’t afford to send me to college. It was either go to college or join the service with my siblings. Playing sports has really opened a lot of doors for me and I’m sure it could do the same for a lot of these young girls out there.”