USA Wrestling: Driven to be the best

James Yodice

Friday, May 30, 1997 | 11:44 a.m.

THE window to Tom Erikson's career isn't even near being closed. Far from it. He's a 32-year-old heavyweight wrestler, and longevity is not a pressing concern at the moment.

But deep within him, he has grasped one irrefutable truth -- the view from that window may never be as spectacular or fulfilling as it is right now.

"It's a drive to be the best in the world at what you do," Erikson said Thursday afternoon at the All-Star Cafe, where the Las Vegas USA Freestyle Wrestling World Team Trials set up media day in preparation for this weekend's competition at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"If you win a world title, there is no one better than you. The prospect of that is so exciting, I can't tell you," said Erikson.

His prospects for doing just that are fantastic. Erikson last month in Orlando, Fla., won the heavyweight title at the U.S. National Championships, a title he has been chasing 13 years. The absence of his longtime nemesis, the legendary Bruce Baumgartner -- who missed the event with a rib injury -- certainly made it easier for Erikson.

But that didn't diminish the moment.

"It was pretty emotional," he said. "When I ducked my head down I had a little tear; I think a lot of people in the audience did, too. They understood what I'd gone through, the many frustrations, the many years of being second and losing to 'The Man.'"

Erikson has finished runner-up to Baumgartner eight times and lost to him three times at the Olympic Trials.

As an individual medalist, the win in Orlando catapulted Erikson to Las Vegas for this weekend's meet. Plus he earned a bye into Saturday's finals. The next five placers from Orlando behind Erikson are to battle today, and the survivor takes on Erikson in a best 2-of-3 final Saturday.

The winner in each weight travels to the World Championships Aug. 29-Sept. 1 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Usually, the heavyweight spot on that team has gone to Baumgartner.

Baumgartner, 36, is the pre-eminent super heavyweight (275.5 pounds) in this country, as evidenced by his 13 national championships and 13 medals in world-class competitions. He has three world titles and two Olympic gold medals.

Erikson never has beaten Baumgartner, his idol, and it continues to motivate him.

"I keep showing up and keep coming back," he said. "Don't quit, and don't give up on your dream. It sounds like clich'es, but I have a dream to be the best at what I do."

Besides, Erikson said, "just because (Bruce) isn't here doesn't make this thing any easier."

Erikson has had to confine his dream of defeating Baumgartner to his mind.

"I've thought about being in that position," he said. "Beating him, representing the U.S., I've had a lot of dreams about that."

He also realizes he can't wrestle much longer at such a high level, although he eventually may outlast even Baumgartner. Asked if he has another four or five years in him, Erikson pauses.

"Let's say 3 1/2," he said. "That puts us right at Sydney."

Notes

All-session tickets this weekend are $40 or $20 for students. Individual session tickets will be sold at the door. All-session tickets are available through the Las Vegas Organizing Committee, 385-5400. ... Competition began this morning and goes until 8 p.m. Saturday's action starts at 9 a.m., with the finals slated for 6 p.m. ... The World Championships are held only in non-Olympic years. The United States won the last World Championships in 1995. ... Erikson competed collegiately at Oklahoma State and is an assistant coach at Purdue. ... The meet is being put on by the LVOC and USA Wrestling, the sport's national governing body.