In the back of his mind, Max Sartoph always had a feeling Helen Maroulis would go on to achieve big things.
As Maroulis' wrestling coach at Magruder High School in Rockville, Md., Sartoph helped Maroulis hone her skills as one of the state's top high school competitors. In 2006, as a freshman, Maroulis became the first girl to place at the MPSSAA state wrestling championships, finishing sixth in the Class 4A/3A 112-pound division.
Fast forward 10 years, and the 24-year-old is in prime position to show she's the best in the world. In mid-August, Maroulis, a three-time world medalist, will enter the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as one of the favorites to win gold in the 116-pound weight class.
Sartoph spoke with PressBox about his unique experience coaching Maroulis, his handling of the challenges she had to overcome as a female wrestler and his expectations for how she will fare at the Olympics.
