Cameron Guerin's Story: Triumph Through Tears

Cameron Guerin at Senior Nationals in Fort Worth, TX last month. Photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo / WrestlersAreWarriors.com.

Rich Guerin passed away on October 10, 2019. Photo credit: YakimaHerald.com.

by Derek Levendusky, AWW staff writer

COLORADO SPRINGS - No one ever wants to hear the news. Only 19 and living at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, training for a run at making an Olympic team, Cameron Guerin received the devastating news. Her father, Rich Guerin, had passed away at the age of 49. A well-known, respected, and loved former MMA fighter, coach, and teacher, to his daughter he was father, mentor, and friend.

It was early October, and with Senior Nationals was only two months away, the news would affect the course of how the days played out leading up to the Olympic Trial qualifier for young Guerin.

She ended up taking an entire month off to be with family and friends back in Yakima, Washington.

Her father was a former MMA fighter who later opened Yakima MMA club in 2004, where he trained several fighters who went on to national prominence, including Miesha Tate, Julian Erosa, and Kelly Clayton.

Before graduating from Davis High School in Yakima, Washington, in 2018 and heading to the OTC to participate in the Elite Accelerator Program (EAP), Guerin was used to being around elite athletes. For her, training started at a young age in budo jiu-jitsu. Wrestling came later. “I was always surrounded by high level athletes,” remembers Guerin. “I started BJJ at the age of 4 and started wrestling at the age of 5. My parents asked me if I wanted to start wrestling and had me watch the movie Vision Quest shortly after. That’s when I knew what sport I wanted to be in.”

Her high school days were filled with success on the mats, including becoming a 4x undefeated Washington state champion, and winning Pan Am gold in 2017 and 2018. She also competed at Junior Worlds in Tampere, Finland in 2017 and placed 5th. Once she moved to Colorado, she continued her training with high level partners like 2019 World Champion Jacarra Winchester, World Silver Medalist Sarah Hildebrandt, and experienced & well-decorated national team members Amy Fearnside and Erin Golston, among others. Her training paid off in 2019, as she made another Junior World Team and competed in Tallinn, Estonia for Team USA.

“To see our baby halfway around the world on TV, it was a very weird experience,” her mother Julie told the Yakima Herald in a story published last fall, referring to her daughter competing at Junior Worlds. “We were so nervous, but I remember how strong and professional she looked. That energy came across immediately.”

Returning home from 2019 Junior Worlds, Guerin set her sights on making a Senior World Team. An Olympic team.

Then came the sad news.

After her month off, she put her nose to the grind. “It was hard going back into my regular routine of training at first, but then it really helped me feel better,” said Guerin. “I pushed hard and worked for that month [before Senior Nationals] and it paid off. I will keep working hard and getting better for my dad, my family, and myself. I know my dad’s expectations. And I know what he’d want from me.”

But was that enough time to be ready to face the best in the country? She couldn’t wait to do it. “I did feel ready, considering I had some time off. I was very eager to be on the mats again. I always look forward to the highest level of competition.”

Guerin put on a world class performance and took 3rd at 57 kg, grabbing one of the coveted qualifying spots for the Olympic Trials in April. Her only loss on the day was an 11-9 barnburner in the semis to eventual champ Abby Nette of Campbellsville.

“Senior Nationals was [a tournament] I was super excited to compete in,” said Guerin. “Taking 3rd wasn’t my end goal but qualifying for Olympic Trials was the main goal. I was happy I got to work on some techniques I’ve been working to improve on.”

She sees the silver lining in the close loss to Nette, reflecting, “I’m thankful because I know I can still always get better in all areas.”

Guerin knows how proud her father would be. “My dad would be extremely proud of me qualifying for Olympic Trials,” says the young star. “He would say that he loved me, he was proud of me, and that he knew I could reach my goals. I know he was with me at my tournament and I know he is with me every day. I know he wants me to succeed and do my 100% best daily.”

What gave Guerin the strength to come out of such devastating circumstances and give such a solid performance? She points to her faith. “To me and my family, God means so much. I thank Him every day for being alive and healthy. Before I wrestle I ask for God to give me strength and be with me and I fully believe He’s there protecting me. Even though my dad’s passing was one of the worst things to happen to me, it gives me strength and comfort knowing where he is. I hold on to how our time here is only temporary, and we will all unite one day in God’s glory.”

It was her father’s faith, and now it’s hers. “Our faith has been has been the foundation for our family, it’s a very important aspect in my life. [It’s] what I hold onto daily.”

Guerin will compete at the Olympic Team Trials at State College, PA, on April 4-5, 2020.