Sierra College graduate has Olympics on his mind

As far back as he can remember recent Sierra College graduate Eric Nye has had one thing on his mind – stepping onto the mat to wrestle for the red, white and blue.And while his Olympic aspiration mirrors that of thousands of other athletes around the world, Nye has a legitimate chance to represent the United States this August in China.Currently ranked fourth among the nation's Roman Greco heavyweights, Nye needs only to crack the top three at this month's Olympic Trials (June 14-15 in Las Vegas) to punch his Olympic ticket."It's pretty amazing to be so close to something I've dreamed about my whole life. I know I can compete with the top guys in the country," said Nye, who defeated No. 3 ranked Tim Taylor of Army on the way to winning the FILA University World Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo. on May 24.The win not only tightens the knot at the top of the heavyweight ranks, but also earned Nye a spot at the World University Wrestling Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece beginning July 9.Nye, who has competed at the FILA Junior World Championships the last two years, qualified for his first University World Team by capturing the 120 kg/264.5 lbs. division.Currently competing with the Sunkist Kids, Nye won the best-of-three Championship Series by defeating No. 6 ranked David Arendt (U.S. Marines) in two straight bouts. After taking the first match, 3-0, 1-1, he then stopped Arendt in the second match, 1-1, 1-1.Not too shabby for an unassuming kid from Red Bluff, population 13,147, who maintains a restrained demeanor in a sport dominated by giants. "He's not a big talker," said Ken Wherry, Nye's coach at Sierra. "And that's rare because the heavyweights usually are. He's different; he just goes out and takes care of business without all the prima donna stuff. He was a great teammate and mentor while he was here. He really made everyone better. The other guys saw him and how good he was and they really want to be like him."Nye, who transferred from the University of California, Davis to Sierra in 2006, recently capped his Wolverines' career undefeated in the junior college ranks, capturing two state titles while earning an Associate of Arts degree and maintaining a 3.3 GPA."I really wasn't sure what to expect when I got to Sierra," said Nye, who played center and linebacker for Red Bluff High and earned all-state accolades in 2004. "But it's been the best thing that could have happened to me and has really given me a great foundation for the future."That future was thrown into a frenzy recently when Arizona State University, the school Nye had committed to attend next fall, announced suddenly that it was canceling its wrestling program. Days later the program was reinstated, but not before Nye and Wherry spent a few chaotic days exploring new options."It is a big relief. I don't have to look somewhere else," Nye said. "With the guys we've got coming in, we will be right up there nationally. It's supposed to be one of the best recruiting classes in the nation."After wrestling at 280 pounds for Sierra, the 6-foot-1 inch Nye dropped to 264 for the Roman Greco circuit and is looking for his first World medal competing for the United States. He placed fifth in the Junior Worlds in freestyle in 2006 and then placed fifth in the Junior Worlds in Greco-Roman in 2007.And while he continues to make all the right moves on the mat, the one opponent that has given him consistent trouble off it of late is a whole different kind of heavyweight – money.Although he regularly travels alone, a single weekend trip can cost close to $3,000, large coin for a self-described "starving student.""We've really had to scramble to get him to matches lately," said Wherry, who relies on donations and fundraisers to cover Nye's expenses. "It can get expensive quick with plane tickets, hotels and a kid that size needs a lot of food."Anyone looking to make a contribution to the Sierra College wrestling foundation can send a check or money order to Wherry, 5000 Rocklin Road, Rocklin, Ca 95677. Checks should be made out to Sierra College wrestling.