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The Badgers men's and women's wrestling teams both captured team titles at the
University of Toronto Open. For the women, Jasmine Mian, Debra Jehu and Megan
Dolan all finished first in their respective events. Emily Filmore, Laura
Steffler, Alishah Depass and Sara Leo also medalling for the Badgers. On the
men's side, CJ Hudson, Ryan Weicker and Brad Trimble all led Brock by capturing
golds while Dylan Fryia, Alex Brown, Josh Lee, Mike Neufeld and Pete Simon all
received medals as well.
Craig — Robbie Jensen and T. J. Shelton make the trip from Meeker to Craig each Tuesday and Thursday to participate in the Bad Dogs Wrestling Club.
Tuesday, the wrestling couldn’t wait until practice began.
Shelton and Jensen were already fighting — not on the mats, but in the car.
Shelton pulled Jensen’s hair — more WWF-style wrestling than Bad Dogs’ — and Jensen wasn’t amused. He pulled off his seat belt, ready to exact revenge for what he called Shelton’s “girly fighting.”
Just as he was about to pounce, a voice echoed from the driver’s seat.
“Take it to the mat,” JaNae Shelton yelled.
The boys did as they were told and joined the more than 30 youths who work on their wrestling technique at the Bad Dogs Wrestling Club.
The club provides children ages 4 to 14 the opportunity to work on stand-ups, take-downs, grappling and good, old-fashioned strength and conditioning.
This is a sport where coaches, parents and even high school wrestlers — past and present — help build wrestling fundamentals.
“We are like a big family here,” assistant coach Shane Hadley said. “A large part of our success comes from the coaches and the families of these kids. We couldn’t do what we have done without them.”
What they’ve done is dominate just about anywhere they travel.
When questioned who captured first place in last week’s tournament, about 12 wrestlers raised their hands.
“If I had their kind of training, I would have been more dominant,” 2003 high school state runner-up Trevor Sloan said. “I get the chance to give them what I didn’t get. These kids are way better than I was at their age.”
Most youth sports follow the guideline of building toward the future, and this club is no different.
“We get them ready for the next level,” Hadley said. “When they get into high school, they are way ahead of the curve. They are very advanced by then.”
Many of the boys and girls of Bad Dogs Wrestling go on to be champions.
Hunter Coleman is in his fourth week as a wrestler. The 4-year-old barely fills his uniform.
“It is a great self challenge for Hunter,” said his father, Shawn Coleman. “This is a really good program. I’d like to see him go to state one day.”
Some wrestlers just come for the fun and friendships.
“We get to travel and make new friends,” Shelton said.
Others have other motives.
“I can’t wait to get to wrestling,” Jensen said — as evident by the car incident. “It’s the only time you get to mess around with people and not get in trouble.”
Regardless of the motives behind their wrestling passion, each has the same goal.
Winning.
“We are really serious about what we do here,” Hadley said. “Bad Dogs win championships.”
John Vandelinder can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 211, or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com
New Oxford graduate Rachael Groft placed fifth in her weight class for Lock Haven University's new women's wrestling team in a recent tournament at McMaster University in Canada.
Groft lost her first bout and rallied to win her final two bouts by pins for her place in the event.
Groft, who wrestled four seasons at New Oxford, also competed earlier this
year in the Sunkist International Tournament in Arizona and lost twice.
|
Tigers wrestling team looks to have big
season
Published: Nov 14, 2007 - 12:55:55 pm EST |
CLEWISTON — Looking forward to the season opener on Tuesday at the
high school, the Tigers wrestling team hopes to make an impact.
A visit
to the Al Morrell Fieldhouse during the team’s afternoon practices shows how
serious the team is about doing big things.
The team is learning the
basics of the sport and takes practices so seriously that it’s evident where the
program is headed.
Jesse Alford, who was the wrestling coach for three
years, is no longer with the high school program. Now, David Gay, an assistant
coach for the past two years, is the head coach.
“I got big shoes to fill
from last year,” Coach Gay said. “Coach Alford did a great job with our program
for the last three years and I hope we can keep it going. I think we have a
great coaching staff, a great group of kids and a lot of support from the
community. That’s all I can ask for.”
The coaching staff consists of Tiffany Gay, who is Coach Gay’s
wife, and Cory Grizzard.
There are 20 wrestlers that will be in
competition this season, including a girl named Jenica Evans -- all eyes will be
on Jenica as she tries to qualify for the state meet this season in
Lakeland.
Here are some other key wrestlers worth watching out for this
season:
• Joey Cordova, who is in his junior year, finished with a 29-4
record last season and was the District 12-1A runner up in the 140 lb. weight
class. Joey was undefeated up until the district meet and was ranked No. 6 in
the state last year for the 140 lb. class. Joey’s primary goal is to become a
state qualifier and hopefully place there.
• Brandon Caulkins, a junior,
finished with a 32-7 record in the 125 lb. weight class last year. He finished
third in the District 12-1A 125 lb. weight class and was ranked No. 7 in the
state at his weight class. As a freshman, Brandon was an All-American wrestler,
ranking as high as No. 8 in the country. He would like to get to that point this
year, but would love the finish as one of top three wrestlers in the state at
the end of the season.
• Damarian Allen, a junior who is currently playing football, will
return as the only state qualifier from last year’s team. He was third overall
in the District 12-1A 152 lb. weight class and placed fourth in the regional
meet. Damarian finished 27-5 overall. Moving up to the 160 lb. weight class,
Damarian’s primary goal is to place in the state meet at Lakeland.
As a
team, the Tigers finished with a 9-7 record, good for second in District 12-1A.
This year the goal is to become district champions. But in order to accomplish
that goal, the wrestling team has to beat out district rivals La Belle, Estero,
Immokalee, Golden Gate, and Naples.
Hopefully, the Tigers wrestling team
will do good enough to become a state qualifying team.
But first, the
wrestling team must convince everyone that they are a force to be reckoned
with.
There’s no better time to put the talent on display than performing
at home next Tuesday afternoon -- the only home meet of the
season.
“We’re expecting our wrestlers to work hard, be dedicated to the
sport and put out a total effort at all times,” Coach Gay said.
If the
team does what’s expected of them, the Tigers fans surely won’t be
disappointed.