National Champions Q&A: Alaina Berube

John Fuller TheMat.com
06/08/2005

Women’s wrestling has reached new heights. Following its first appearance in the Olympic Games, there is more pressure on younger women to develop and compete at high levels more quickly. Alaina Berube of the New York Athletic Club is no exception. Berube is the new face at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. after winning the U.S. Nationals. Last year, Sara McMann won an Olympic silver medal at this weight before defeating Berube in the Olympic Trials finals. Now Berube is gaining confidence and looking to become the leader of a new era of women’s wrestlers. TheMat.com sat down with Berube and spoke to her about her development and what has made her better. TheMat.com: Last year was kind of a coming out party for you. With that in mind, how important was it for you to come away with the national title this year to continue your development? Berube: It was important because it was one more step towards making the World Team and then maybe the Olympic Team. TheMat.com: Describe the difference in now knowing that everyone is gunning for you to try to get to that top spot? Berube: I’m training harder now because I’m the one to beat and it motivates me more. TheMat.com: In the last year, what do you think you have improved on the most? Berube: I have a better understanding of the rules and learning how to use the rules to my advantage. I don’t have to score a million points, I just have to win by one. TheMat.com: Your weight class at the U.S. Nationals was relatively young. Do you expect to see any of the more experienced women jump back into your weight class at the Trials? Berube: I would expect that some of them would feel they have a better chance of placing top three at my weight class than placing top three at a non-Olympic weight class. TheMat.com: How much has being at Cumberland College helped you to develop as a wrestler? Berube: It’s helped me a lot. We practice quite a bit. Mat time and experience is what really counts and you get a lot of mat time at Cumberland. TheMat.com: How important is it for a female wrestler to have the opportunity to be able to go to college and still wrestle? Berube: It’s an excellent opportunity and really important because you can get your college paid for and then you’ll have something to fall back on if wrestling doesn’t work out. TheMat.com: Who has been most influential on your career? Berube: My dad. Because he was a good wrestler in high school and he has always supported me no matter what the final result was.