Pins, wins come early
SAXONBURG — The grapplers crouch down, arms outstretched, eyes locked.
Although not quite as skilled as the Greek Spartans, these wrestlers are no less intense — just a bit younger.
The South Butler combatants, who are in kindergarten through sixth grade, on this February night are matched against North Hills wrestlers at Knoch Middle School for a North Hills Wrestling League match.
Takedown TrevorFirst up for the night is 11-year-old Trevor Hilliard, whose brisk warmup seems to portend doom for his opponent.The bout starts. Within seconds, Trevor has his first takedown. He rides his opponent during the one-minute period, grabbing an arm and pulling him down as he starts to get up.The period ends. Seconds into the second period, Trevor grabs the boy's leg and cradles him for the pin.Before the bout, Trevor explains why he likes the sport."You get to beat up people," he says with an impish grin.When asked what he does if someone beats him, he replies, "Then you come back next year and get them back."Trevor admits being on the losing end "a couple times."
The elementary league consists of teams representing, but not sponsored by, 12 school districts in Butler and Allegheny counties.Along with South Butler, Butler, Seneca Valley and Mars field teams in the league. North Allegheny, North Hills, Shaler, Hampton, Avonworth, Fox Chapel, Pine-Richland and Chartiers Valley round out the membership.Joel Hilliard, coordinator for the South Butler program and Trevor's father, says the idea is to teach youth the basics of the sport."It's a stepping stone," he says.Joel says the elementary teams serve as feeder programs for the individual school districts.With this wrestling season being the first for Knoch High School, such a feeder program will reap benefits in a few years when Trevor and his peers will be seasoned veterans.<BR><B>Early development</B>Ian McLaughlin is proof of the league's impact. The Butler High School junior is a standout wrestler who began competing in the North Hills league at age 7."It was the best thing in the world for me," Ian says.He points out the elementary league helps grapplers develop proper stances and execute moves smoother."It can be a help with mat presence," Ian says.He stresses the importance of the one-on-one sport teaching discipline."There are no excuses," Ian says. "There's more of a sense of responsibility."Joel and other parents agree. Dave and Valerie Neel like the activity so much their four sons have all wrestled for South Butler in the league.The Neels' son, Travis, 12, who wrestled in the league last year, says it's fun because everyone participates unlike some sports in which players have to wait on the sideline to get on the field.Travis' brothers Dolton, 9, Camron, 7, and Auston, 5, all compete for the South Butler team.Dave says the winter season of the sport keeps his sons busy when they would otherwise be playing video games.Parent Amy Holben also likes having a winter sport for her son Dillion, 11, who also plays soccer and baseball.Dillion enjoys wrestling for another reason."I like getting trophies," he says about competing in tournaments.However, there is a downside."I kind of get mad when I lose," Dillion says.Knoch coach Shawn Davis says another advantage is the children simultaneously learn to perform well individually as well as scoring points for the team.Shawn says the young ages of the wrestlers come into play if they don't win. Tears and sniffles accompany some losses.Others take it in stride."Every kid's different," he says. "One keeps smiling whether he wins or loses."Dave says the officials keep the crowd in line and they also keep the wrestling from becoming too physical."It's not UFC," he says, referring to the brutal and often bloody Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts organization.
Once a week, the advanced South Butler wrestlers have a practice with Knoch High School coach Mark McLaughlin, Ian's father.Mark and Joel started the program five years ago with 12 wrestlers. The team now has 32 members.Ian's younger brother, Col, 11, is another big gun for South Butler. He struggles with his opponent for control.A reverse here, a takedown there and before long, Col logs in a 19-4 victory.When Col is asked who the better wrestler is: Ian or himself, the younger McLaughlin responds diplomatically."I would have to say my brother," Col says.The humble younger brother wouldn't even predict becoming a better high school wrestler."If I keep working at it, I'll be pretty close," Col says, with the knowledge that big brother was on the other side of the gym officiating the kindergarten grapplers.Later in the night, Ian says it's not easy keeping the tykes focused on the mat."It can be rough," he says.Ian praises his little brother for working harder this season and wishes future success for him."I hope he passes what I've done," Ian says.
Trevor's up again. Many of the team members have the opportunity to compete multiple times as wrestlers are matched up by weight and experience.However, Trevor's second opponent fares no better than the first, falling prey to a another cradle pin.After the bout, Trevor says he was surprised by the finish."It didn't feel like I pinned him. He was moving all around," Trevor says.Before long, Trevor has a third bout. He practices the lunges for a takedown, looking like an older grappler with many more years under his belt.This time, the cradle attempt fails. But laying prone over his foe does the trick. Trevor is 3-0.Trevor credits his friend, Josh Grassi, 11, for encouraging him and Col to start wrestling."A long time ago, he said me and Col were good wrestlers, so we tried out," Trevor says.After an earlier tough bout, Dolton scores a pin on his second time on the mat.While most of the wrestlers have two or three bouts, Trevor gets his fourth."Guess what? I've got one more guy I can whup on," he says, brimming with confidence.Numerous cradle attempts and arm bars later, Trevor settles for a 6-1 win.He becomes the ironman for the night as his father tells him: "You have one more."The bout starts out as usual, Trevor scoring first. But this opponent is more resilient, giving Trevor more competition.After various moves back and forth, Trevor leads 6-4. Eventually, the red-clad foe loses more ground.Trevor wins 9-4."The kid was the toughest I wrestled (tonight)," Trevor says.Travis points out the bout wasn't that close in the end."You barely broke a sweat," Travis says.Though confident in his own abilities, Trevor is quick to praise his teammates. He lauds 5-year-old Kameron Grassi."He's one of our best. He has the best shot on the team," Trevor says, referring to Kameron's takedown skill.Sure enough, Kameron pins his opponent and puts an exclamation point on a bright future for Knoch wrestling.
Although there is evidence of wrestling being a popular sport in various cultures throughout history, its roots are most commonly linked with Greece.<b>What it means</b>Here is a listing of what some commonly used wrestling moves are:• Takedown — Gaining control over your opponent from a neutral position.• Reversal — Gaining control over your opponent from a defensive position.• Escape — Breaking out of an opponent's control.• Arm-bar — An armlock which hyperextends the elbow joint.• Cradle — Grabbing the neck of an opponent with one arm and the opponent's knee with the other, then locking both hands.<b>How to win</b>A wrestling match can be won in these ways:• A pin, or fall, occurs when a wrestler holds both of his opponent's shoulders to the mat.• A technical fall occurs when a wrestler gains a 15-point lead.• A decision is when the wrestler with the most points during the match is declared the winner.• An injury leads to a medical forfeit, or injury default, when a wrestler is unable to continue.<b>Time to wrestle</b>High school bouts consist of three, two-minute periods. Elementary league wrestling matches have three, one-minute periods.
