Jolynn Harris is a virtuoso overflowing with talents.
Her canvas is filled with successes and accolades such as being a three-time Scholar All-American wrestler and four-time All-American collegiate diver while at Division II Colorado Mesa.
She was even a four-year section leader in three different bands at Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Iowa while qualifying for the state track & field meet in four events.
Albion’s newest head coach added another facet to her sophisticated resume – competing for Team USA at the Beach Wrestling World Series Final in Alexandria, Egypt in mid-October.
Beach wrestling is a unique form of the sport where the three-minute competition takes place in a circle of sand. There are four weight classes in the style, and the first to score three points takes the match. One point is awarded for a takedown or pushing an opponent out of the circle, while three points goes to a takedown that exposes a wrestler’s back to the ground.
Harris had initially been exposed to beach wresting at Colorado Mesa, where some of her college teammates and those she later coached at the school had competed in tournaments. She had also attended various camps and sessions for the sport in the past.
Six wrestlers she coached in her two seasons at her alma mater were set to compete at the Beach Wrestling Nationals in North Carolina in May. Realizing there was no entry fee for coaches who wanted to compete, Harris figured she would enter her name into the competition since she would already be there coaching.
She did well enough to qualify for the World Series Final in the 70-kilogram (roughly 154 pounds) weight class and was informed via email just before interviewing for the head women’s wrestling job at Albion.
Harris did not let the fact that the trip was fully self-funded impede her desire to experience a completely different part of the globe.
Having never been outside the United States, she thought of it as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to not only wrestle but immerse herself in another culture.
Her quest began on Wednesday, October 15 as she flew from Chicago to Istanbul, Turkey and then eventually to Egypt. Harris met many of her fellow Team USA teammates for the first time when she arrived at her hotel on Friday morning.
All competitors ate together, which was an ideal time for Harris to bond with those from all around the world.
Saturday morning was the start of competition. Harris was one of 11 wrestlers who competed in the 70-kilogram weight class (primarily from Eastern European countries) and was in a pigtail match – equivalent to a play-in game – which she unfortunately lost.
Team USA placed second overall at the World Series Final and had an individual champion in the 70+ kilogram weight class.
She cheered on her teammates for the rest of the session before heading to the Qaitbay Citadel, a 15th century fortress on the Mediterranean Sea erected on the former site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – and took in a light show.
The following day, Harris trekked on perhaps the most adventurous part of her experience – a three-hour Uber ride to the Great Pyramids of Giza.
She communicated with her driver via Google Translate and had the chance to ride a camel around the pyramids. After returning to Alexandria, Harris took in the local fare and ate stuffed pigeon and lamb ribs at an Egyptian restaurant.
An unforgettable experience in Egypt concluded with a banquet and dancing before her flight the next day.
Another long layover in Turkey caused Harris to tour the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul and try some local lamb stew and apple tea before flying back to Chicago.
Harris’ gifts extend beyond athletic competition. She is one that is not afraid to reach out of her comfort zone, understanding that her experiences will better help her develop even more as a well-rounded individual.
“I know it's scary to do things on your own, but that was the most fun – being able to be like, ‘Oh, I have six hours. I have to try to go do something and get back,’” Harris said.
“It was cool to get to know people that I usually wouldn't have communicated with in America and just getting to know their perspectives on life and their families and whether they've traveled around the world or not.”
On the mat, Harris explained how learning better communication strategies and understanding beach wrestling rules more while competing at the World Series Final can help paint her new picture as a first-time head coach at Albion, opening the sport as an additional opportunity for her wrestlers to gain more experience in competition.
“I'm going to learn more as I coach more,” Harris said.
“I'm excited for everything that's to come.”
