NIACC's Randolph takes trip of lifetime to Mongolia

By KIRK HARDCASTLE

NIACC Sports Information Director

NIACC assistant women's wrestling coach CarrieAnn Randolph recently took two trips.

The most recent trip at the end of April was one to Las Vegas for recruiting and to compete in the 2023 US Open.

The trip from Mason City to Las Vegas is just over 1,500 miles – 1,536 to be exact.

But that little road trip halfway across the country pales in comparison to the trip that Randolph took with 12 others from the United States in early April to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia as part of a United States to Mongolia Exchange – empowering girls and women through sport.

That trip to Mongolia was over 6,000 miles one way or 12,000 miles round trip.

"I didn't know what to expect," Randolph said of her trip to Mongolia, which is a country that is bordered by China and Russia. "We were in a totally different place.

"I'd definitely love to go back. I want to go back. I think there is opportunity for that. We were a team and everyone got a long very well. Not everyone was a wrestler but all were touched by the sport in some way. They all brought that passion.

"It was very much a great experience and still processing."

The 2023 United States to Mongolia Exchange was funded by the US Department of State's Sports Diplomacy through "Women Win" and "Wrestle Like A Girl."

Randolph applied to become one of the members of the team that traveled to Mongolia and she found out on Feb. 6 that she was selected.

In the participant packet that Randolph received for the trip to Mongolia it stated "each of you have been selected not only because of your service to sport, but also because of your commitment to expanding the impact of sport beyond the mat.

"Sport is an incredibly effective tool to address complex and nuanced issues that lie at the roots of community development. Specifically, sport afford the opportunity for individuals to build self-esteem, courage, self-efficacy and can accelerate leadership development. Furthermore, sport has a unique ability to bridge divides, break down barriers, and build positive relationships across cultures, races and nations."

Randolph definitely felt that the United States team was able to build some extremely positive relationships with the people they met on their trip to Mongolia.

"We were able to present and meet with Mongolian coaches at all levels, but mainly at the national team levels," she said. "We met with sports psychologists at the national level and the university level.

"We exchanged a lot of information. It was like 'hey, you guys are doing a lot of good things and we'll probably do some of that.' But then it was like 'how can we help you.'

"Even though we are halfway around the world, they are facing similar issues."

"They have a warrior type culture. A rich history. Women's wrestling is still growing there. They also want to grow women's coaches, too."

The United States leadership team that Randolph was a part of was led by former Olympic wrestler Tela O'Donnell Bacher, who was a founding member of "Wrestle Like A Girl."

O'Donnell Bacher was a member of the United States' 2004 women's freestyle wrestling team.

"She brought her knowledge and did a safeguarding seminar on how to create a safe space for the coaches and the athletes," Randolph said.

The definition of safeguarding is "a set of policies, procedures and practices employed to actively prevent harm, abuse and distress."

O'Donnell Bacher had high praise for what Randolph brought to the trip.

"CarrieAnn was a wonderful addition to our sports exchange," O'Donnell Bacher said. "She was engaging and brought curiosity and wisdom to the experience.

"Whether she was listening intently as we spoke to Parliament Member Bat-Erdene Badmaanyambuu, or leading warmups for the Mongolia/US Female Specific Coaching Clinic, CarrieAnn represented wresting and the US well."

Randolph said the main message to the young Mongolian athletes about safeguarding was a simple one.

"We shared how to encourage these young women to use their voice if something is going on," she said. "What are ways to make a safe culture in your club and in your gym.

"We had a lot of good feedback. That got the coaches thinking that there needs to be accountability or an ethics board to keep the coaches accountable. That was probably the biggest piece. Mission accomplished."

Randolph said another important message that the United States team tried to instill on their trip was "the empowering piece."

"Just believing in themselves that they can make a difference," she said.

While the United States team spent a lot of time sharing their ideas with the people of Mongolia, Randolph said she learned plenty about the country of Mongolia.

In 1990, a democratic reform began and a shift from dependence on the former Soviet Union was declared.

"I really enjoyed their pace of life, honestly," Randolph said.

So how did Randolph, who was born and grew up in Honolulu, handle the weather in Mongolia in early April?

 "It's cold," she said. "It did snow.

"To me, I thought I was prepared because I went through an Iowa winter. It was very similar."

The United States to Mongolia Exchange wasn't all business for the United States team.

They were able to have a little fun, as well.

"Some went horseback riding," she said. "I went dog sledding. That was pretty neat.

"I'm from Hawaii so that was totally out of my element. It was lots of fun seeing their culture. They are a nomadic culture and a lot of them live that way the more you get out of the city in portable tents."

One barrier that was a bit of a struggle for the United States team was the language barrier. But that was helped by United States team member Minga Batsukh, who served as the translator.

Batsukh was born in Western Mongolia but came to the United States and was a three-time NCAA Division II all-American wrestler at St. John's University.

"The translator helped but that would be the only thing that took time," Randolph said. "I think everyone was engaged the whole time."

Randolph also learned something else about the sport of wrestling.

"Wrestling is kind of a universal language," she said.

After Randolph returned from Mongolia, she shifted her focus to competing at the US Open in Las Vegas.

In the days leading up to the competition, the former Pacific University wrestler says she is ready to go.

"I've been working out with (NIACC head women's wrestling coach) Basil (Minto)," she said. "He's whipping me into shape.

"I feel confident about it. I've done a lot more wrestling leading up to it than I did last year. There is no pressure on me. It's not like I'm a returning world team member."

Randolph dropped her two matches at the US Open. So even though the competition didn't go as well as she had hoped, she still had a month of April to remember.