DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Different Sport, But A Big Boon For Ohio State

http://www.ohiowrestling.net/articles/archives/108

Don't know how much interest there is in wrestling, but thought I'd post this after learning last week that Tony Jameson has signed his letter of intent to wrestle at Ohio State. He is a three-time returning State Champion at three different weight classes, and is going for his fourth this season. (103, 112,119,140). He is the number 2 ranked wrestler in the Nation at 140.

That's awesome. I used to wrestle in high school, and have been out of the loop. Is Iowa still the top college program?

I want to say Oklahoma State is, but I'm sure Iowa is still very competitive, as is Iowa State. Minnesota is top notch too; 2 of their best wrestlers are from Ohio.

Is this kid the standout from Austintown Fitch?

Wrestling is a passion of mine. I restarted a wrestling program here in Poland. The 1st year we 20 elementary kids. Last year we had 40. This year we hvae 53, plus I started a jr. high club team and have 14 kisds in 7th and 8th grades. It is an uphill battle since we don't have use of the school's gyms, and we don't have a varsity program. We are lobbing hard to get the school board to add wrestling as a sport and spending a lot of time trying to raise money to buy the new style Dollamur mats.

I grew up in the Cleveland area, so I couldn't believe that the Y-Town area doesn't have more wrestling programs. I think if people around here understood the benefits that come from wrestling it would be much more excepted.

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Is this kid the standout from Austintown Fitch?

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Yes he is. I've seen him wrestle since he was in middle school. Talked to him a few times. Seems like a good kid. Always knew he'd be special and he's definitely lived up to it.

Read the link,...there's a chance he might have to wrestle the Palmer kid in the State finals. I guess it depends on how their weight(s) go during the season.

It would be wrestling heaven if they can get Palmer to Ohio State too.

Colin is amazing. IMO better then Lance(older brother 4 time state champion)
I'll most likely make the trip out to Colombus to watch States. Great experience for any wrestling fan.
We truly are blessed to live in Ohio as wrestling fans. One of the best states wrestling-wise bar none.

So where is Lance at now ??

Whoops! Didn't even see the link. I know coach Powell and he is a great guy. He has a couple of his own kids that have potential. Fitch has a great facility, to go along with a great program.

Wow,...then they're going to add Colin and Tony,...?? Coach must be frothing at the mouth.

Yeah Ohio is finally keeping the kids in-state. After Dustin Schlatter (4 time state champion,national champion,#1 ranked wrestler in the nation pretty much his entire high school career) left for Minnesota,(where he won nationals his freshman year, 3rd place sophomore year) it forced OSU to recruit those kids harder and get them to come. About time.

Where are you from, and where do you live now?

? That sounded so random it just threw me off lol.

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Where are you from, and where do you live now?

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And I think you'll be able to figure out where I'm from if you look right under my name.

haha it wasn't.

I'm sure you do fine. It's a hard sport to master, that's for sure.


Few suggestions:

Look into "Coaching Wrestling Successfully" by Dan Gable and "Wrestle to Win" by Beasey Hendrix.

Depending on how old the kids you're coaching, you could set up a scrimmage/mixed practice with nearby schools or programs to get a feel for the different coaches and get some good ideas.

Most important thing: Keep your head up. Any man that wrestles or has a wrestling connection is good in my book.


Also, have you considered asking any of the parents to help out with the coaching? Our youth coaches were all parents of students and former students so it might be something to look into.

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Look into "Coaching Wrestling Successfully" by Dan Gable and "Wrestle to Win" by Beasey Hendrix.

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I've already read through the first, I'll look up the second.

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Depending on how old the kids you're coaching, you could set up a scrimmage/mixed practice with nearby schools or programs to get a feel for the different coaches and get some good ideas.

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I have 53 kids grades 1-6 and a jr. high team (first year) with 15 kids. That's more than many jr. highs in this area with established teams.

This is the third year since I started the wrestling association. In the past two years we have had scrimmages with Austintown and Howland, who are two of the more dominate teams in the area. I also have asst. coaches who have more experience than me. We have done pretty good, and the program has grown from 20 kids the first year to 53 this year.

I took the jr, high kids to Louisville this past weekend. They had a very well ran eight team scrimmage. Most of my kids did pretty well, with five of them holding their own against much more experienced kids. I gotta say that I don't remember kids beings as good as they are. Add that to how much bigger and stronger they are, it makes a very entertaining day.

Good to hear about your kids holding their own.

Just keep at them but don't forget that they're kids and if you have those "fun" days it makes it that much more enjoyable. Just because it's fun it doesn't mean it's a waste. Keeps their conditioning up without doing just straight sprints.

And I'm glad to hear the team is growing. It's a great sport, but definitely not for everyone as I'm sure you know.

And I definitely know what you mean about these kids being so good at a young age. Very fun to see and helps the sport grow.

Just an update...We wrestled are first ever tourney. We ended up going 6-10. Most of my kids went up against Howland. I put my best to wrestlers into different weight classes to give better matches, that won't happen again. I gotta tell you I don't think I've ever been prouder (with the exception of my own kids) in my life. The Howland kids were hitting moves I haven't seen and getting a ton of back points. I ended up with only two kids getting pinned.