Monday Out Of Holding Pattern Two-Time Olympic Medalist Returns To Wrestling After Two Years Off

Kenny Monday - husband, father and entrepreneur - has again put his mind to wrestling, which can’t be good for the Olympic aspirations of his 163-pound rivals.

At 34 and two years removed from competition, Monday re-established himself by winning a fourth national freestyle title in April.

Now, the 1988 Olympic gold medalist and 1992 silver medalist is determined to represent the U.S. this summer in Atlanta. To do it, he’ll have to prevail in this weekend’s Olympic Trials at the Arena.

This time, tragically, he won’t have to beat Dave Schultz, the 1984 gold medalist and one of wrestling’s most beloved figures. Schultz, as has been well documented, was shot to death Jan. 26 on the Pennsylvania estate of chemical heir and former wrestling benefactor John E. du Pont. Du Pont, whose eccentricities were tolerated because he helped finance the sport, has been charged in the case.

“It’s a weird time right now, but time is a great healer,” said Monday. “But it definitely won’t ever be the same, because Dave Schultz has meant so much to the sport. He has had such a big impact on the sport. You can never replace that.”

Likewise for the special bond between Monday and Schultz, whose careers had been defined always by their rivalry and, eventually, by their friendship. Monday, in fact, had implored Schultz to abandon du Pont’s training compound.

“It was difficult the first couple weeks just dealing with the loss. It was a tragedy,” said Monday, who wrestled at Oklahoma State when Schultz was at Oklahoma. “But you have to go on, stay focused. You have to really get on with your life, continue to train, continue to try to get better.”

For Monday, there is much to get on with.

Since settling for silver in ‘92 - he suffered a dislocated elbow eight days before the Games, yet didn’t give up a point until losing the title match 1-0 - Monday has opened two businesses and become a father.

“After ‘92, I made a decision that I’d like to wrestle in ‘96 and I just wanted to take a couple years off,” Monday said. “Let my body heal up, do some other things - business and personal.”

Monday needed to heal, as his elbow kept telling him.

There were business and family concerns as well. Monday owns a Subway sandwich franchise and gourmet coffee shop in his native Tulsa, Okla. His wife Sabrina is an executive with Mary Kay cosmetics, and together they have a 2-year-old daughter, Sydnee.

The comeback has meant far less Tulsa time for Monday, who trains at the Sunkist Kids wrestling club in Phoenix.

“It’s very challenging,” he said. “And every day is not a good day, so it’s tough. I’ve definitely had to stay more focused, taking time off like I did, to get back to that level.”

Without Schultz to push him, Monday’s stiffest competition is from former Oklahoma State phenom Pat Smith, the only four-time NCAA Division I champion, and two-time national titlist Rob Koll.

“With the exception of Dave not being there, it’s probably just as tough as it’s been every year,” Monday said. “Especially with the development of the national team and USA Wrestling, our depth is a lot greater.”

Olympic coach Joe Seay suspects Monday will be up to the challenge.

“I put my money on him,” Seay said. “I’ve been around him too long not to do that. I saw him take second in the Olympics and have one point scored on him with a dislocated elbow, so I have a lot of confidence in him.”

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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: AT A GLANCE Facts about the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Trials, presented by Windermere Realty, Friday and Saturday in the Spokane Arena: Format: Best-of-three finals match between top-seeded wrestler in each weight class and winner of Friday’s minitournament. Goal: Winners of 10 weight classes will comprise Olympic freestyle team in Atlanta. Times: Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m.; Saturday, kids/coaches clinic 8:30-10 a.m.; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (round one of best-of-three finals), 6-9 p.m. (rounds 2 and 3 of best-of-three finals). Tickets: G&B Select-A-Seat outlets, 325-SEAT. Prices: $15 per session Friday; $18 first session Saturday; $25 Saturday night; $15 kids/coaches clinic. Fanfest: Riverfront Park central meadow: international food fair, live music Thursday and Friday nights, vendors, beer and wine garden; Thursday, 6-10 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.