August 14, 2024 • 23 mins
The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Toccara Montgomery.
Tribute speakers: Jessica Medina and Axa Molina. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.
Recorded June 2024.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW
Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify | Android | RSS
Contribute
And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.
Tribute speakers: Jessica Medina and Axa Molina. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.
Recorded June 2024.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW
Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify | Android | RSS
Contribute
And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
From the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. This is Legends
is Legends. I'm Jason Bryant. Prepare for a journey through
wrestling's past, present, and future. As we'll hear are the
great stories of wrestling and success from the true legends
of the sport here on Hall of Fame Legends.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
So, without any more ado, let's go ahead and get started.
I might say that we hope everyone enjoyed the meal,
and now it's time for the program to begin. This
is another opportunity for us to learn more about this
special group of individuals who we are honoring this weekend.
We're going to hear from those who know them the best,
and that's their family and their friends. Each of the
(00:55):
speakers will be allowed to talk for five minutes. Unfortunately,
there will be no injury timeouts and we don't have
any time for overtimes. Our next distinguished member is Takara Montgomery,
here to tell us more about Nakara is a former
teammate and longtime friend Jessica Medina.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Hello, everyone, Thank you. It's been really great to hear
all these stories, so thank you for sharing those. Today.
I'm going to just talk a little bit about Takara.
We have known each other for twenty years and that
time has flown by, and I'm honored to speak on
her behalf. So if you know Takara, she loves babies, dogs,
(01:45):
and Chipotle. She does not like hugs, and although she
has wrestled her most of her life, does not like
to be touched. But if she does grab your wrists
any sort of risk high, you will not get out
until she to go.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
So just know that.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Beyond that, I do want to share when I first
met to Cara. It was a moment of impact for me.
When I met to Kara, she had returned from the
two thousand and four Olympic Games and we were at
Cumberland College in Archer Hall, and I was starstruck. I
had just moved from California, eighteen year old freshman and
(02:23):
could not wait until I got to meet to Cara Montgomery.
When I met her, I was stunned because not only
was this my future teammate, you know, but my future
friend and later future mentor. The next memory I have
of Takara is at our first team meeting. We were
in the hot wrestling room in southeastern Kentucky and we
(02:46):
were all sitting around kind of going out our expectations
for the season, and our upperclassmen stood up and I
remember to karash had shared who she was, introduced herself.
But the thing that she had shared really stuff with
me was she told us she did not drink, she
was committed to our team, she didn't party, she was
(03:08):
committed to school. And for me, being a very impressionable
eighteen year old, I thought, if I'm going to make
the Olympic team, I have to do what that lady's doing.
So thank you for that, Takara, because that was definitely
another moment for me that impacted my career. Takara, her
impact didn't stop there. She went on to become an
(03:31):
assistant coach, first my assistant coach, as an assistant coach
to me at University of the Cumberlands and moved on
to Lyndenwood and became one of the first head coaches
college coaches at the time, and so yet again Takara
was a trailblazer there. She coached multiple All Americans and
(03:52):
World Team members and had a successful career in women's wrestling.
She later went on to the space that she loves,
into the education space, and so she began teaching and
now as an assistant principle, I would be remiss if
I only shared the impact that Tokara had on my life.
(04:14):
I asked a number of women, including the ones here today,
if they could share one word that describes to Kara,
what would that be. The words that were shared were dominant, resilient, driven, passionate, brave, rare, loyal, irreplaceable, persistent, brilliant, reliable, steadfast,
(04:41):
and strength. To Kara, thank you so much for being
here this weekend. You have been a matriarch, one of
the matriarchs in women's wrestling, and we have become a family.
The relationships that you've built speak for themselves. It's easy
to celebrate you this weekend. And if I could finish
(05:02):
with the quote that means the most, if your actions
create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more,
do more, and become more than you are an excellent leader.
And so we look forward to celebrating our excellent leader
from here on. And we are just so grateful to
(05:23):
Kara for all that you've done in the sport of
women's wrestling and in our lives.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
So thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Jessica Takara's coach, mentor and longtime friend, Kip Flannik, was
scheduled to speak about Takar today. Unfortunately, Kip had a
health emergency and is unable to join us. We want
to send our best wishes to Kip and to hope
that he feels better soon. Stepping in for Kip to
(06:01):
share more about Takara is former athlete and friend Axa Molina.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
Good morning everyone. My name is Axa and I'm honored
to be here and talk about Takara. I was an
athlete for Takara for four years in college, and I'm
now a friend and now a mentee of hers. Not
that she has a choice. I just keep calling her
and she keeps answering the phone, and I'm thankful for that.
(06:42):
I've had the privilege of knowing Takara for twelve years
and I can confidently say she's more than a wrestler
and a coach. She's a Hall of Fame human. Takara
is someone who will go to bat for you and
you can count on to get the job done. No
matter what the job is or how she's gonna do it,
it's gonna get then. I have a story about this
(07:03):
So when I was in college, I had my canon
event wrestling story where we all have that one weightcutting
horror story. And I was having that day and I
was cutting it close to weight. I didn't know if
I was gonna make it or not. My weight class
was one thirty. I was one thirty point one, one
thirty point two. And we're at the tournament. The intercom
(07:25):
they go, they say weightcutting must stop, and I'm like,
I can't risk this. I need to wrestle. So I'm
jogging in place, moving into cars like keep going, keep going,
don't worry, I'll take care of it. And I'm like
worried because I know other coaches are staring at me
right now. And of course the rival coach walks over
and says, coach, weightcutting has been called to stop. Takara
(07:49):
looks over at this man and says, oh, her, she's
just really into fitness. And so the man he was
astonished and was just really surprised at her response.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
And he kept he walked away.
Speaker 5 (08:03):
I made weight that day. The tournament went on, we
did great, all was well. Another time was when it
was the blood round match at Nationals to All American
and it was eight to eight end of the period,
we didn't know what was going to happen. I don't
know if I.
Speaker 6 (08:21):
Had criteria or not.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
Takara throws the brick and it goes in my favor
and I'm an All American, So thank you to Caara
for that as well. So while you see having the
characteristic of getting the job done doesn't just happen to
just anyone, it's inside people who've endured a lot of
trials and tribulations and have had to exercise that muscle
(08:46):
time and time again. Takara came from a time where
women's wrestling wasn't popular and it wasn't cool to be
a woman wrestler. There were people who purposely try to
injure her for being woman. There were refs who rigged
matches so they can prevent her to keep wrestling, and
the crowd booing her for being a girl wrestler. Despite
(09:09):
it all, she became a world medalist, She was on
the first ever women's Olympic team, and a successful coach,
coaching multiple national champions All Americans and now is a
wrestling legend. But she wouldn't have been able to do
any of it if it wasn't for her characteristic of
getting the job done. It takes a woman like her
(09:30):
to get that, to have that get the job done factor,
to be a trailblazer in the sport of women's wrestling,
and to have unrelenting belief in herself and the future
that women deserve a seat at the table, and not
just in wrestling, but where all decisions are being made.
She fought and crawled so that women of today could
fly and soar. When there was a wall, Tokara built
(09:51):
a door so the women of today could walk through.
Thank you Takara for being more than my coach. Thank
you for being a mentor, my friend, and my inspiration.
Your unwavering belief in me and so many of others,
and your relentless pursuit of excellence have made a lot
of people who they are today. Congratulations on this well
(10:13):
deserved honor. You can say the sport.
Speaker 6 (10:17):
Of wrestling will never be the same because of your
trailblazing legacy. Thank you.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
Good evening, everyone, Welcome, Welcome to the twenty twenty four
Hall of Fame Induction of honorees. We're delighted to have
you here with us this weekend and this evening. I'm
happy now to bring to the podium the Chairman of
(10:54):
the Board of the Governors of the National Wrestling Hall
of Fame, Tom Slowe.
Speaker 8 (11:05):
Good evening, actually great evening on behalf of the Nasha
Wrestling Hall of Fame. Welcome to the forty seventh Honors
Induction ceremony. This evening's turnout is certainly a testimony through
the exceptional individuals we honor this evening, but also to
the fantastic and loyal support of our wrestling community. So
(11:27):
thank you for being here. The National Wrestling Hall of
Fame is grateful you're with us to celebrate the class
of twenty twenty four inductees. This is a very special
time as we recognize and enshrine our sports very best
and honor their extraordinary achievements. The class of twenty twenty
(11:48):
four inductees are an inspiration to us all. Their life
pass and accomplishments offer positive guidance and examples to us all,
and especially to our.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Country's youth and future leaders.
Speaker 8 (12:01):
The National Wrestling Hall of Famer is privileged to host
and celebrate Honors weekend with them. As we all know,
wrestling teaches invaluable lessons. It also instills positive traits that
serve us well over a lifetime. Determination, commitment, perseverance, persistence,
(12:23):
and resilience, to.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Name just a few.
Speaker 8 (12:26):
And so as we move forward in life, we are
well prepared to manage the challenges and opportunities that we
want encounter with purpose and excellence and as leaders as
an example for others to follow on behalf of the
Sponsors Volunteers, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Staff, Board of Governors,
(12:51):
Governors Associates. Thank you for sharing this evening with us
as we proudly celebrate the class of twenty twenty four.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
Thank you our next signery Distinguished Member.
Speaker 9 (13:04):
To Cara Montgomery, one of the things we kind of
jokingly say, like it's difficult, but like, are you cutting
weight while you're doing.
Speaker 8 (13:12):
To Carl Montgomery, looking for a high level guvernance here
almost scored some points.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
What's gonna happen? It's Montgomery with a two point two
if we have a big upset in the making, But
we sure.
Speaker 10 (13:23):
Do is the natural ability was always there. He had
an internal fire that a lot of people didn't see
because she had a very laid back demeanor. On the
first day of practice, I had seven girls come out
for my team and forty some guys. On the last
day of practice, I had three guys left and all
(13:44):
seven girls, and Tokara was the leader of everything, and
then the entire group from day one to car could
beat everybody in a room, every girl, every guy except.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
One guy her hands.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
As soon as her hands you you are.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
Not in control of that match.
Speaker 9 (14:03):
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. There pretty
much from birth until I went off to college, and
then have been all over the world. I think ever
since then, my parents have always been my biggest supporters.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
They've always been.
Speaker 9 (14:16):
Those people who just tell me that there was nothing
I couldn't do, very integrational for both me and my
brother if we came. I think when I first went
and told my mom that I wanted to wrestle, she
basically was like, wrestle, I don't know how I feel
about that, And I was like, now, it'll be fine.
And I don't think she knew at the time that
it would be against guys, because at that time, you know,
(14:37):
there was no such thing as like sanctioned wrestling for
girls in high school in Ohio. Like I kind of
kept that under disclosure for a little bit and then
when she came to like my first match, she was like, this.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
Is not what I thought was going on.
Speaker 9 (14:49):
But again, like my dad has always been like a
huge like ego boost for me.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
He's always told me.
Speaker 9 (14:55):
Like, you know, like your last names Montgomery, that means
you can do anything.
Speaker 11 (14:58):
Car was a hard worker and just so st and.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
Physical.
Speaker 11 (15:02):
There was a mite about her that just to be
in her presence. She had just hands and strength, but
there was a real good control that she could kind
of drill with anybody, even somebody small like me, and
be around kind of a gentle giant. But she just
always knew there's a little twinkle in her eyes like
to make her mad, because when it was go time,
she was just she was phenomenal, fun time to watch.
Speaker 10 (15:34):
I'd call trust them for a long time. I think
I was twelve years in sport coaching when I came
to her school at East Tech, and T Carr was
as talented as just about any guy that I've ever
that I've ever coached.
Speaker 9 (15:48):
I think at best I was like an average basketball player.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
And then my coach again kept was like, hey, you
can make this decision.
Speaker 9 (15:55):
You can be like an average basketball player or you
have the potential to be like a great wrestler. You know,
which one do you want to kind of divide your
time with or choose essentially, So it's tough because, like
I was a multi sport athlete all throughout middle school
and high school. But you know, when you have somebody
like breathing that much life and inspiration into you, you
kind of like believe in what they're telling us.
Speaker 8 (16:15):
Montgomery has been given new life here and she's taking
advantage of it.
Speaker 9 (16:18):
I think it was the challenge, you know, like I,
by no means started off like this phenomenal wrestler.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
It was very challenging and.
Speaker 9 (16:26):
Just like the battle the sweat, I think the grind
every day was something that at the time I didn't
know that like I would appreciate it so much later
in my life. But we didn't have a coach for
the women's team at the University of the Cumberlands at
that time, and they're like, hey, you know, like what's going.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
On, Like would you be is this something you would
be interested in?
Speaker 9 (16:45):
And I don't think he had any aspirations of going
on to be like a college you know, powerhouse, but
that's essentially what he did at the University of the Cumberlands.
He ran back to back national championships for the team,
and it was the same thing of just kind of
developing girls and helping them grow and aspire to be
like the best possible version of themselves in the sport
that they could be as well.
Speaker 12 (17:05):
Takara was very control, but the girls that were in
her weight class on the other end of it, Like,
I wrestled her one time, and she was probably one
of the strongest females I've ever wrestled in my entire life.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
We had one time matched.
Speaker 11 (17:17):
Up weight classes and I was like, I need to
finish this as.
Speaker 12 (17:21):
Quickly as also like wow, Like I was like, and
I'm a strong female too, but man, she was just
like so much stronger than me.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
Yeah, she's powerful.
Speaker 13 (17:30):
Yeah, And I can remember a couple of times watching
her wrestle and being like her explosion and her like
like like it's.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
Like some people like do like big fancy throws, but
hers are just really practical and like just the hardest
like intense, like it's almost quick kills.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
So yeah, you're like, ooh, where she got them? Not
under that? Yeah.
Speaker 11 (17:58):
At the two thousand and one Worldchampionships to Kara was
on the podium first time out there, and she was
also named the most technical wrestler in the world that
year with a Fela Award, which is really a pretty
special thing. So there wasn't anybody who didn't watch that
kid and say, dang' that's what we're all shooting for.
Speaker 10 (18:19):
One of the things I always admired about Takr is
that it didn't matter who she wrestled. At the end
of the day, they were all sitting down, hanging out
and talking together. It wasn't these are my enemies and
I must crush them. She did what she had to
do on the mat, and then afterwards she realized that
(18:41):
everybody that she competed against was a human being, and
I think people really enjoyed sitting down and talking with her.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
If she was to speak.
Speaker 10 (18:52):
To many of the women that she competed against today,
I think they would all have fond memories.
Speaker 11 (18:59):
There's a warmth and of steadiness about her that when
she's in a group with you, it's I think you're
just you're glad that she's around and she's in that space.
Speaker 9 (19:09):
The funny thing about history is you don't necessarily know
that you're a part of it. When it's happening, it's
just like it's happening. You're in the moment and you
don't think about it.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
So at that time, I wasn't thinking.
Speaker 9 (19:19):
Like, Wow, I'm going to be the first appatude American
woman to be on an Olympic team for wrestling. Never
thought about it in that light ever. It was just like, hey,
I may I have this opportunity, like.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
I am going to the Olympics.
Speaker 9 (19:30):
And then the coaching part of it was just kind
of natural, you know, like what do you do after
you retire?
Speaker 4 (19:35):
You know, like you want to make the next.
Speaker 9 (19:37):
Group of girls the best they can be, so like
you just naturally progress into coaching as well.
Speaker 10 (19:42):
I can't think if I hire Honor in the sport
of wrestling, then her being inducted, and I can't think
of a person more deserving than to car.
Speaker 9 (19:51):
But I don't want to say goal because I didn't
have it on my list, you know, like it was
just something I don't want to say something that just
happened because it was so many moving parts in the
background and people that helped me make it happen. But
just to think back to where I started into where
I am now is just it has me over the moon.
Speaker 7 (20:07):
Essentially, let's bring Jakara forward with her presenter for an
Chares Colds.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
So first, I want to say good afternoon or evening
to everyone, and I would like to congratulate all the
other National Hall of Fame members for the twenty twenty
four class. Oh wow, thank you. This honor is absolutely monumental.
It's crazy to see my career come full circle. I
(20:56):
have a few people that I hold near to my
heart who are in an a were unable to make
it today. My mother Terah Montgomery, who I lost in December,
but my aunt Churis, who made it her purpose to
stand in for her.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
My long term.
Speaker 9 (21:16):
Coach and mentor Kip Flannik, who also was unable to
make it due to a medical emergency.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
A couple of days ago. These are just.
Speaker 9 (21:26):
Some of my biggest supporters.
Speaker 4 (21:29):
My list is huge.
Speaker 9 (21:31):
My list of thank you is far too long to
shout out everyone individually, but that says a lot about
the support circle that surrounds me and continues to surround me.
I want you all to know that each one of
you have helped me in shaping the individual the woman
that I am, and I continue to aspire to be.
(21:54):
I'm grateful for each and every one of you for
helping to write the chapters of this incredible journey. I
never could have imagined that hearing those words some twenty
plus years ago, any boys or girls who want to
come out for the wrestling team, please meet after school.
But I hope that these words continue to be given
(22:16):
to aspiring future wrestlers, especially those girls out there finding
their place in this sport. Although our sport has grown
and it still has more room for growth. Can I
hope that I can continue to inspire young athletes to
give them voice presents in spaces where they don't always
feel welcomed, But I hope that it inspires strength and
(22:38):
courage throughout. I am incredibly honored for this amazing opportunity
that wrestling has given me and continues to present me
once again.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
Thank You.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Legends is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of
Fame and produced by the matt Talk podcast Network.
Speaker 4 (23:13):
If you want to hear more from.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Wrestling's legends, contribute to the project today by going to
matttalkonline dot com slash contribute. We hope you've enjoyed this
look in the wrestling history. This has been legends. I'm
Jason Bryant,
From the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. This is Legends
is Legends. I'm Jason Bryant. Prepare for a journey through
wrestling's past, present, and future. As we'll hear are the
great stories of wrestling and success from the true legends
of the sport here on Hall of Fame Legends.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
So, without any more ado, let's go ahead and get started.
I might say that we hope everyone enjoyed the meal,
and now it's time for the program to begin. This
is another opportunity for us to learn more about this
special group of individuals who we are honoring this weekend.
We're going to hear from those who know them the best,
and that's their family and their friends. Each of the
(00:55):
speakers will be allowed to talk for five minutes. Unfortunately,
there will be no injury timeouts and we don't have
any time for overtimes. Our next distinguished member is Takara Montgomery,
here to tell us more about Nakara is a former
teammate and longtime friend Jessica Medina.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Hello, everyone, Thank you. It's been really great to hear
all these stories, so thank you for sharing those. Today.
I'm going to just talk a little bit about Takara.
We have known each other for twenty years and that
time has flown by, and I'm honored to speak on
her behalf. So if you know Takara, she loves babies, dogs,
(01:45):
and Chipotle. She does not like hugs, and although she
has wrestled her most of her life, does not like
to be touched. But if she does grab your wrists
any sort of risk high, you will not get out
until she to go.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
So just know that.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Beyond that, I do want to share when I first
met to Cara. It was a moment of impact for me.
When I met to Kara, she had returned from the
two thousand and four Olympic Games and we were at
Cumberland College in Archer Hall, and I was starstruck. I
had just moved from California, eighteen year old freshman and
(02:23):
could not wait until I got to meet to Cara Montgomery.
When I met her, I was stunned because not only
was this my future teammate, you know, but my future
friend and later future mentor. The next memory I have
of Takara is at our first team meeting. We were
in the hot wrestling room in southeastern Kentucky and we
(02:46):
were all sitting around kind of going out our expectations
for the season, and our upperclassmen stood up and I
remember to karash had shared who she was, introduced herself.
But the thing that she had shared really stuff with
me was she told us she did not drink, she
was committed to our team, she didn't party, she was
(03:08):
committed to school. And for me, being a very impressionable
eighteen year old, I thought, if I'm going to make
the Olympic team, I have to do what that lady's doing.
So thank you for that, Takara, because that was definitely
another moment for me that impacted my career. Takara, her
impact didn't stop there. She went on to become an
(03:31):
assistant coach, first my assistant coach, as an assistant coach
to me at University of the Cumberlands and moved on
to Lyndenwood and became one of the first head coaches
college coaches at the time, and so yet again Takara
was a trailblazer there. She coached multiple All Americans and
(03:52):
World Team members and had a successful career in women's wrestling.
She later went on to the space that she loves,
into the education space, and so she began teaching and
now as an assistant principle, I would be remiss if
I only shared the impact that Tokara had on my life.
(04:14):
I asked a number of women, including the ones here today,
if they could share one word that describes to Kara,
what would that be. The words that were shared were dominant, resilient, driven, passionate, brave, rare, loyal, irreplaceable, persistent, brilliant, reliable, steadfast,
(04:41):
and strength. To Kara, thank you so much for being
here this weekend. You have been a matriarch, one of
the matriarchs in women's wrestling, and we have become a family.
The relationships that you've built speak for themselves. It's easy
to celebrate you this weekend. And if I could finish
(05:02):
with the quote that means the most, if your actions
create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more,
do more, and become more than you are an excellent leader.
And so we look forward to celebrating our excellent leader
from here on. And we are just so grateful to
(05:23):
Kara for all that you've done in the sport of
women's wrestling and in our lives.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
So thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Jessica Takara's coach, mentor and longtime friend, Kip Flannik, was
scheduled to speak about Takar today. Unfortunately, Kip had a
health emergency and is unable to join us. We want
to send our best wishes to Kip and to hope
that he feels better soon. Stepping in for Kip to
(06:01):
share more about Takara is former athlete and friend Axa Molina.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
Good morning everyone. My name is Axa and I'm honored
to be here and talk about Takara. I was an
athlete for Takara for four years in college, and I'm
now a friend and now a mentee of hers. Not
that she has a choice. I just keep calling her
and she keeps answering the phone, and I'm thankful for that.
(06:42):
I've had the privilege of knowing Takara for twelve years
and I can confidently say she's more than a wrestler
and a coach. She's a Hall of Fame human. Takara
is someone who will go to bat for you and
you can count on to get the job done. No
matter what the job is or how she's gonna do it,
it's gonna get then. I have a story about this
(07:03):
So when I was in college, I had my canon
event wrestling story where we all have that one weightcutting
horror story. And I was having that day and I
was cutting it close to weight. I didn't know if
I was gonna make it or not. My weight class
was one thirty. I was one thirty point one, one
thirty point two. And we're at the tournament. The intercom
(07:25):
they go, they say weightcutting must stop, and I'm like,
I can't risk this. I need to wrestle. So I'm
jogging in place, moving into cars like keep going, keep going,
don't worry, I'll take care of it. And I'm like
worried because I know other coaches are staring at me
right now. And of course the rival coach walks over
and says, coach, weightcutting has been called to stop. Takara
(07:49):
looks over at this man and says, oh, her, she's
just really into fitness. And so the man he was
astonished and was just really surprised at her response.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
And he kept he walked away.
Speaker 5 (08:03):
I made weight that day. The tournament went on, we
did great, all was well. Another time was when it
was the blood round match at Nationals to All American
and it was eight to eight end of the period,
we didn't know what was going to happen. I don't
know if I.
Speaker 6 (08:21):
Had criteria or not.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
Takara throws the brick and it goes in my favor
and I'm an All American, So thank you to Caara
for that as well. So while you see having the
characteristic of getting the job done doesn't just happen to
just anyone, it's inside people who've endured a lot of
trials and tribulations and have had to exercise that muscle
(08:46):
time and time again. Takara came from a time where
women's wrestling wasn't popular and it wasn't cool to be
a woman wrestler. There were people who purposely try to
injure her for being woman. There were refs who rigged
matches so they can prevent her to keep wrestling, and
the crowd booing her for being a girl wrestler. Despite
(09:09):
it all, she became a world medalist, She was on
the first ever women's Olympic team, and a successful coach,
coaching multiple national champions All Americans and now is a
wrestling legend. But she wouldn't have been able to do
any of it if it wasn't for her characteristic of
getting the job done. It takes a woman like her
(09:30):
to get that, to have that get the job done factor,
to be a trailblazer in the sport of women's wrestling,
and to have unrelenting belief in herself and the future
that women deserve a seat at the table, and not
just in wrestling, but where all decisions are being made.
She fought and crawled so that women of today could
fly and soar. When there was a wall, Tokara built
(09:51):
a door so the women of today could walk through.
Thank you Takara for being more than my coach. Thank
you for being a mentor, my friend, and my inspiration.
Your unwavering belief in me and so many of others,
and your relentless pursuit of excellence have made a lot
of people who they are today. Congratulations on this well
(10:13):
deserved honor. You can say the sport.
Speaker 6 (10:17):
Of wrestling will never be the same because of your
trailblazing legacy. Thank you.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
Good evening, everyone, Welcome, Welcome to the twenty twenty four
Hall of Fame Induction of honorees. We're delighted to have
you here with us this weekend and this evening. I'm
happy now to bring to the podium the Chairman of
(10:54):
the Board of the Governors of the National Wrestling Hall
of Fame, Tom Slowe.
Speaker 8 (11:05):
Good evening, actually great evening on behalf of the Nasha
Wrestling Hall of Fame. Welcome to the forty seventh Honors
Induction ceremony. This evening's turnout is certainly a testimony through
the exceptional individuals we honor this evening, but also to
the fantastic and loyal support of our wrestling community. So
(11:27):
thank you for being here. The National Wrestling Hall of
Fame is grateful you're with us to celebrate the class
of twenty twenty four inductees. This is a very special
time as we recognize and enshrine our sports very best
and honor their extraordinary achievements. The class of twenty twenty
(11:48):
four inductees are an inspiration to us all. Their life
pass and accomplishments offer positive guidance and examples to us all,
and especially to our.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Country's youth and future leaders.
Speaker 8 (12:01):
The National Wrestling Hall of Famer is privileged to host
and celebrate Honors weekend with them. As we all know,
wrestling teaches invaluable lessons. It also instills positive traits that
serve us well over a lifetime. Determination, commitment, perseverance, persistence,
(12:23):
and resilience, to.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Name just a few.
Speaker 8 (12:26):
And so as we move forward in life, we are
well prepared to manage the challenges and opportunities that we
want encounter with purpose and excellence and as leaders as
an example for others to follow on behalf of the
Sponsors Volunteers, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Staff, Board of Governors,
(12:51):
Governors Associates. Thank you for sharing this evening with us
as we proudly celebrate the class of twenty twenty four.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
Thank you our next signery Distinguished Member.
Speaker 9 (13:04):
To Cara Montgomery, one of the things we kind of
jokingly say, like it's difficult, but like, are you cutting
weight while you're doing.
Speaker 8 (13:12):
To Carl Montgomery, looking for a high level guvernance here
almost scored some points.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
What's gonna happen? It's Montgomery with a two point two
if we have a big upset in the making, But
we sure.
Speaker 10 (13:23):
Do is the natural ability was always there. He had
an internal fire that a lot of people didn't see
because she had a very laid back demeanor. On the
first day of practice, I had seven girls come out
for my team and forty some guys. On the last
day of practice, I had three guys left and all
(13:44):
seven girls, and Tokara was the leader of everything, and
then the entire group from day one to car could
beat everybody in a room, every girl, every guy except.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
One guy her hands.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
As soon as her hands you you are.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
Not in control of that match.
Speaker 9 (14:03):
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. There pretty
much from birth until I went off to college, and
then have been all over the world. I think ever
since then, my parents have always been my biggest supporters.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
They've always been.
Speaker 9 (14:16):
Those people who just tell me that there was nothing
I couldn't do, very integrational for both me and my
brother if we came. I think when I first went
and told my mom that I wanted to wrestle, she
basically was like, wrestle, I don't know how I feel
about that, And I was like, now, it'll be fine.
And I don't think she knew at the time that
it would be against guys, because at that time, you know,
(14:37):
there was no such thing as like sanctioned wrestling for
girls in high school in Ohio. Like I kind of
kept that under disclosure for a little bit and then
when she came to like my first match, she was like, this.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
Is not what I thought was going on.
Speaker 9 (14:49):
But again, like my dad has always been like a
huge like ego boost for me.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
He's always told me.
Speaker 9 (14:55):
Like, you know, like your last names Montgomery, that means
you can do anything.
Speaker 11 (14:58):
Car was a hard worker and just so st and.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
Physical.
Speaker 11 (15:02):
There was a mite about her that just to be
in her presence. She had just hands and strength, but
there was a real good control that she could kind
of drill with anybody, even somebody small like me, and
be around kind of a gentle giant. But she just
always knew there's a little twinkle in her eyes like
to make her mad, because when it was go time,
she was just she was phenomenal, fun time to watch.
Speaker 10 (15:34):
I'd call trust them for a long time. I think
I was twelve years in sport coaching when I came
to her school at East Tech, and T Carr was
as talented as just about any guy that I've ever
that I've ever coached.
Speaker 9 (15:48):
I think at best I was like an average basketball player.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
And then my coach again kept was like, hey, you
can make this decision.
Speaker 9 (15:55):
You can be like an average basketball player or you
have the potential to be like a great wrestler. You know,
which one do you want to kind of divide your
time with or choose essentially, So it's tough because, like
I was a multi sport athlete all throughout middle school
and high school. But you know, when you have somebody
like breathing that much life and inspiration into you, you
kind of like believe in what they're telling us.
Speaker 8 (16:15):
Montgomery has been given new life here and she's taking
advantage of it.
Speaker 9 (16:18):
I think it was the challenge, you know, like I,
by no means started off like this phenomenal wrestler.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
It was very challenging and.
Speaker 9 (16:26):
Just like the battle the sweat, I think the grind
every day was something that at the time I didn't
know that like I would appreciate it so much later
in my life. But we didn't have a coach for
the women's team at the University of the Cumberlands at
that time, and they're like, hey, you know, like what's going.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
On, Like would you be is this something you would
be interested in?
Speaker 9 (16:45):
And I don't think he had any aspirations of going
on to be like a college you know, powerhouse, but
that's essentially what he did at the University of the Cumberlands.
He ran back to back national championships for the team,
and it was the same thing of just kind of
developing girls and helping them grow and aspire to be
like the best possible version of themselves in the sport
that they could be as well.
Speaker 12 (17:05):
Takara was very control, but the girls that were in
her weight class on the other end of it, Like,
I wrestled her one time, and she was probably one
of the strongest females I've ever wrestled in my entire life.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
We had one time matched.
Speaker 11 (17:17):
Up weight classes and I was like, I need to
finish this as.
Speaker 12 (17:21):
Quickly as also like wow, Like I was like, and
I'm a strong female too, but man, she was just
like so much stronger than me.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
Yeah, she's powerful.
Speaker 13 (17:30):
Yeah, And I can remember a couple of times watching
her wrestle and being like her explosion and her like
like like it's.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
Like some people like do like big fancy throws, but
hers are just really practical and like just the hardest
like intense, like it's almost quick kills.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
So yeah, you're like, ooh, where she got them? Not
under that? Yeah.
Speaker 11 (17:58):
At the two thousand and one Worldchampionships to Kara was
on the podium first time out there, and she was
also named the most technical wrestler in the world that
year with a Fela Award, which is really a pretty
special thing. So there wasn't anybody who didn't watch that
kid and say, dang' that's what we're all shooting for.
Speaker 10 (18:19):
One of the things I always admired about Takr is
that it didn't matter who she wrestled. At the end
of the day, they were all sitting down, hanging out
and talking together. It wasn't these are my enemies and
I must crush them. She did what she had to
do on the mat, and then afterwards she realized that
(18:41):
everybody that she competed against was a human being, and
I think people really enjoyed sitting down and talking with her.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
If she was to speak.
Speaker 10 (18:52):
To many of the women that she competed against today,
I think they would all have fond memories.
Speaker 11 (18:59):
There's a warmth and of steadiness about her that when
she's in a group with you, it's I think you're
just you're glad that she's around and she's in that space.
Speaker 9 (19:09):
The funny thing about history is you don't necessarily know
that you're a part of it. When it's happening, it's
just like it's happening. You're in the moment and you
don't think about it.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
So at that time, I wasn't thinking.
Speaker 9 (19:19):
Like, Wow, I'm going to be the first appatude American
woman to be on an Olympic team for wrestling. Never
thought about it in that light ever. It was just like, hey,
I may I have this opportunity, like.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
I am going to the Olympics.
Speaker 9 (19:30):
And then the coaching part of it was just kind
of natural, you know, like what do you do after
you retire?
Speaker 4 (19:35):
You know, like you want to make the next.
Speaker 9 (19:37):
Group of girls the best they can be, so like
you just naturally progress into coaching as well.
Speaker 10 (19:42):
I can't think if I hire Honor in the sport
of wrestling, then her being inducted, and I can't think
of a person more deserving than to car.
Speaker 9 (19:51):
But I don't want to say goal because I didn't
have it on my list, you know, like it was
just something I don't want to say something that just
happened because it was so many moving parts in the
background and people that helped me make it happen. But
just to think back to where I started into where
I am now is just it has me over the moon.
Speaker 7 (20:07):
Essentially, let's bring Jakara forward with her presenter for an
Chares Colds.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
So first, I want to say good afternoon or evening
to everyone, and I would like to congratulate all the
other National Hall of Fame members for the twenty twenty
four class. Oh wow, thank you. This honor is absolutely monumental.
It's crazy to see my career come full circle. I
(20:56):
have a few people that I hold near to my
heart who are in an a were unable to make
it today. My mother Terah Montgomery, who I lost in December,
but my aunt Churis, who made it her purpose to
stand in for her.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
My long term.
Speaker 9 (21:16):
Coach and mentor Kip Flannik, who also was unable to
make it due to a medical emergency.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
A couple of days ago. These are just.
Speaker 9 (21:26):
Some of my biggest supporters.
Speaker 4 (21:29):
My list is huge.
Speaker 9 (21:31):
My list of thank you is far too long to
shout out everyone individually, but that says a lot about
the support circle that surrounds me and continues to surround me.
I want you all to know that each one of
you have helped me in shaping the individual the woman
that I am, and I continue to aspire to be.
(21:54):
I'm grateful for each and every one of you for
helping to write the chapters of this incredible journey. I
never could have imagined that hearing those words some twenty
plus years ago, any boys or girls who want to
come out for the wrestling team, please meet after school.
But I hope that these words continue to be given
(22:16):
to aspiring future wrestlers, especially those girls out there finding
their place in this sport. Although our sport has grown
and it still has more room for growth. Can I
hope that I can continue to inspire young athletes to
give them voice presents in spaces where they don't always
feel welcomed, But I hope that it inspires strength and
(22:38):
courage throughout. I am incredibly honored for this amazing opportunity
that wrestling has given me and continues to present me
once again.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
Thank You.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Legends is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of
Fame and produced by the matt Talk podcast Network.
Speaker 4 (23:13):
If you want to hear more from.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Wrestling's legends, contribute to the project today by going to
matttalkonline dot com slash contribute. We hope you've enjoyed this
look in the wrestling history. This has been legends. I'm
Jason Bryant,
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.