Duty calls

Chip Rankin worked hard molding the Litchfield Dragons wrestling team to his satisfaction. Now, after being away from the sport this season due to a military obligation, Rankin isn't enamored at the way he guided the team up the ladder of success.

"I've had some to reflect on it while being away," said Rankin, a National Guard captain who is with the 2nd battalion, 136 Infantry Regiment at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, while awaiting possible deployment to Iraq in late February or early March.

"I think I demanded too much of the kids. Unlike a sport like golf, wrestling isn't something they are going to do the rest of their lives. I need to better prepare them for other things than just winning at all costs. I think I'm too hard on the them when I don't need to be. I don't want to be known as a coach who did everything he could to win."

Rankin has been with his battalion in Mississippi since Oct. 3, save for two-week holiday break whre he got to spend time with his friends and family, including his wife of 3½ years, Rebecca, and their two-year-old son, Nathan.

Rankin is with a battalion of 1,000 guards being trained, including one of his former wrestlers, Mark Twardy, a state champion in 2000 for Litchfield.

"I feel I need to do my part," explained Rankin, when asked if he is uneasy about a possible one-year deployment to Iraq. "The military paid my way through college and I got a lot of benefits from them.

"As far as going to Iraq, I'm optimistic. I think that comes from being a coach where you have to try to stay positive all the time."

If deployed, Rankin's battalion will be escorting convoys carrying supplies in Iraq, a dangerous assignment in an obstinate part of the world.

Rankin, 31, initially was mobilized to Bosnia in the summer of 2003, but a torn rotator cuff kept him home.

"Rebecca and I talked about whether or not I should stay in the military," said Rankin. "I've been in for 12 years now. I knew I would probably be deployed. I've gotten to know so many of the guys in my battalion that I've been in. I feel it's my responsibility to them and to my country to stay in and fulfill my duties.'

Rankin, a Little Falls and University of Minnesota-Duluth graduate, took a sabbatical from coaching where he has been highly successful, compiling 105 wins in only seven seasons. He's also guided teams to the state tournament three of the last four seasons, including a Class AA state title in 2003 and a runner-up finish in 2002.

He's also been a high school science teacher since arriving in Litchfield in 1998.

Former Sauk Centre state champion Mike Fiedler is the interim coach at Litchfield.

"Mike's doing a great job," said Rankin. "I hope he stays in the program in some capacity when I come back. He's definitely an asset."

Litchfield is currently 10-5 this season.

When Rankin was home for the holidays, he coached practice one day.

"I truly miss the kids and the competition," he admitted.

While Chip is away, Rebecca, the Director of Pharmacy at Meeker County Memorial Hospital in Litchfield, has been getting a lot of volunteer help from friends and neighbors.

"Everyone has been so great," she said. "People mowed the lawn and are blowing the snow and lot of other things. It's hard not having Chip around, but it helps knowing so many people care."

It's also hard for Chip to be away from his family, especially one that is just getting started.

"The hardest part is when I call home and (Nathan) asks when I'm coming home," said Rankin.

Rankin insists he's not scared about going to Iraq if he's deployed.

"You can't be," he said. "I think being a coach has prepared me for times like this. I know what I have to do and the dangers of the job. When you think about the face that there are 130,000 soldiers there, you feel more optimistic."

It's all about teamwork, Rankin said. And who better to know that than a successful coach?