Picture 1  Picture 2  Picture 3    At the World Trials, it was clear after the first match that Eric Guerrero had his work cut out for him.  Guerrero had won the U.S. National Title in April, and had dropped the first of the best of three matches to Kerry Boumans.  He couldn't afford another mediocre match, or else his dream of representing the United States on the World Team would be gone for another year.      For Guerrero his life had always been focused on the next wrestling goal.  Only this day was different.  His wife Malia was nearing the due date of their first child.  Malia had let Eric know that if she went into labor she wasn't going to tell Eric so he could concentrate on the championship series.      Eric phoned her early that morning to talk.  Even though Malia didn't tell her husband that she had started into labor, Eric heard something in her voice that made him wonder.  "I just had a feeling that something wasn't right", said Guerrero, "I don't want to say that it effected my performance but it was harder than usual for me to get ready for that first match."      Guerrero lost the first match to Kerry Boumans, the 2000 U.S. Nationals Champion, by a score of 4-0.  In the second match Guerrero earned the decision of 3-0 in overtime to even the series at one match each.      The third match would make the winner the representative for the 58 kg class on the World Team scheduled for New York City.  From the outset, Guerrero was in trouble, as Boumans locked a tight front headlock on Guerrero and cranked it over for exposure.  (See the turn)  John Smith, Guerrero's corner coach, could be heard warning the referee that the lock was illegal and was a choke across the throat.  Guerrero was a held for the count and gave up an additional exposure point as well.  The referee looked to be nearing the call of a pin before Guerrero fought off of his back.  He was down 3-0, and the outlook looked dim for Guerrero.      Wrestling with the experience of years of mat work, Guerrero looked within himself and picked his way back into the match. Guerrero evened the score point by point and shut down his opponent's offense.  (See a takedown by Guerrero)  Earning the victory of 6-3, Guerrero felt the adrenaline from the victory well up within him.  He rose to his feet and while pointing to his chest he yelled, "that's my heart; that's my heart".  (See a picture of Guerrero after the victory)      Guerrero's comeback victory was quickly pushed aside, as he found a phone to call his wife.  Letting her know that he won was the minor part of the conversation.  Malia admitted she had been in labor and was going to give birth to their first child.  Guerrero scrambled to get back to Stillwater.  Guerrero wasn't able to get out quickly, but due to an extended labor he arrived just in time for the birth of his daughter, Kaitlyn Rose.  Thirty-four hours of labor behind them, mother and daughter were happy and healthy.      Intertwined with Kaitlyn's Rose's birth will always be the wrestling story of dad rushing back from a Cincinnati wrestling meet.  Eric Guerrero, who started wrestling at the age of eight, has led a life dominated by wrestling and family.  Coming from a devout Catholic family, Guerrero's father and uncles cleared the way for him to be involved in wrestling.  "I remember being around wrestling at a very young age my uncles and dad wrestled.  It was a natural progression for me to wrestle," said Guerrero.      Saturday mornings with 5:00 a.m. wakeup calls occurred often as his father, Sebastian, would take him to another tournament.  His father's advice about life and wrestling still stays with Guerrero today.  He told me there can be a lot of negative influences out there, but I would do fine in life if I surrounded myself with success.  Success is contagious but so is mediocrity.      Seeing success up close and personal was probably the breakthrough point for a young Eric Guerrero.  In 1988 the U.S. Nationals were held in Reno, Nevada Guerrero's father took Eric to the tournament.  Seeing wrestlers like Dave Schultz, John Smith, and Kenny Monday in person struck deep into Guerrero's psyche.  "I spent the day seeking out all of their autographs",  said Guerrero, "I just came to the realization that day that I wanted to be that good.  They were like trained artists to me-so skilled and good at what they did.  I just knew from that point on that I wanted to wrestle always."      Growing up in San Jose, California Guerrero started to make the choices to pursue the success that he witnessed in Reno at USA Wrestling's National Championships.  Guerrero began to throw himself into his training the year before he entered high school.  In California's one class high school wrestling system Guerrero earned three state titles with over 200 victories and only four losses.      His exact record is lost in his memory, buried by layers of other wrestling accomplishments.  He also won a Cadet World Title, but don't ask where the tournament was held.  "Germany I think-that was a long time ago", says Guerrero.  Guerrero never seems settled on the last victory but on to his next step forward in wrestling.    When recruiting time came for Guerrero as a blue-chip Division I recruit, he was determined to enjoy the process.  "The recruiting process for me was a lot of fun.  When else is a wrestler going to be so highly sought after?"      Guerrero chose Oklahoma State's program with Olympic Champion John Smith as a prime reason to attend there.  "His knowledge of technique coupled with his recent success internationally really drew me to the program."  Guerrero became a standout wrestler for the Cowboys earning three NCAA Titles and placing as an All-American all four years.      Joining the ranks of the elite in the Cowboys wrestling tradition, Guerrero found a new home in Stillwater.  "I love OSU.  It is a great place for me to have a family.  The people in the college and community were so supportive, I feel lucky to still work with the team and live in Stillwater."  Guerrero now work as a strength and conditioning coach for the Cowboys and wrestles with the lightweights like last year's runner-up at 125 pounds Johnny Thompson.      This summer's victory at the World Team Trials was special for Guerrero for more than the birth of his daughter.  Guerrero wants to be a World Champion but had only wrestled in one World Championship.  In 1999 Guerrero placed seventh after Terry Brands pulled out prior to the Worlds while in Europe for the acclimation camp.  "Winning this time around felt special to me.  It wasn't by default.  Saying I made the team was a far different feeling", according to Guerrero.      This summer's training in Colorado Springs was a great experience at this level for Guerrero. Although athletes work on technique, conditioning, and strength training, Guerrero feels that there is more to be gained psychologically.  "At the OTC (Olympic Training Center) you are surrounded by tough wrestlers and great coaches pushing you, it really builds confidence in your ability to wrestle at a high level."    Guerrero has come to terms with the delayed World Championships now scheduled for Sophia, Bulgaria.  The summer's training has stretched into the fall and it will be winter before Guerrero gets a chance to wrestle in the Worlds.  "I feel ready to compete, to make that next step."  The drive to the elite level has been a lifelong commitment to wrestling wrapped in with the dedication from his family.  Guerrero was expecting to have a large crowd supporting him in New York.  That will be different now.  He knows that his family will be waiting to hear how he's done.  Without a doubt Guerrero will work for every score and battle for every victory by wrestling from the heart.