WRESTLERS READY TO RUMBLE

A pair of motivational speakers praised the virtues of staying
drug-free, following dreams and safely laying the smackdown.

Tyson Dux, 28, and Tiana Ringer, 21, wrestlers from the Blood Sweat
and Ears (BSE) professional wrestling league, exchanged the elbow
pads for a microphone Wednesday, and spoke to students at Ecole
secondaire catholique Theriault about a range of topics.

The pair of wrestlers had a topic list typical of motivational
speakers, but incorporated their ring experiences to better connect
with the teens.

"Drugs are bad," Ringer said in the school's auditorium. "Don't do
cocaine, it's bad. It's addictive and I've seen people lose their
homes because of cocaine.

"Know your (body's) limits ... I might wrestle with an injury, but I
would never force myself to wrestle. You have to let your body heal."

Ringer used her age as a motivational tool. She told students about
juggling the responsibilities of being a ballet instructor, wrestler
and student at the age of 21.

"It's because of all the things that I've done that I have gotten to
where I am now," she said.

The wrestlers made the appearance at the school before the Saturday,
Sept. 30 live BSE show at the Archie Dillon Sports Complex.

The BSE live entertainment presented by the Cochrane district
CrimeStoppers will be the second in Timmins this year.

When Ringer and Dux opened the floor for questions, only a couple of
students asked them to elaborate on staying drug free, or following dreams.

Most wanted to know more about delivering and receiving elbow
smashes, spine busters and neck breakers.

Mike Patry, an English teacher at Theriault and a co-organizer for
the upcoming BSE wrestling show, said students understood the big
picture of the speaker session despite showing more interest in the wrestling.

"Every time they hear these messages, it's going to make an impact," he said.

"A student might shrug it off (now), but it will have an impact later on."

Regardless of what message the student will take with them outside of
the school's auditorium, Patry said the bottom line is they had a fun
and interactive time with interesting people.

The show starts at 7 p.m. For more information about the live
performance call 360-1771.