SLIPPERY ROCK - Last year, Forrest Christmann was about as nondescript as they come on the wrestling mat.

A 9-year-old, he went 6-8-1 traveling from tournament to tournament under the tutelage of his father, Edwin Christmann, a former high school wrestling coach in Virginia.

"I really didn't see talent, to tell you the truth," the elder Christmann said.

But something happened between last season and this one. A dramatic metamorphosis occurred for Forrest Christmann that turned him from average to something much more.

One year older and, at 120 pounds, certainly big for his age, Forrest turned in a remarkable season on the mat.

He is 15-0 with 12 pins and hasn't been scored upon this season.

"He just started believing in himself and became more aggressive," his father said. "I would attribute it to a lot of hard work."

Forrest recently won the 10-year-old division at the Franklin Regional Panthers Den Wrestling Tournament in Murrysville.

In the semifinal match, he had one of his toughest tests of the season, beating Brandon Dineley of Kittanning 2-0. He had a much easier time in the title match, pinning his opponent in the first period.

Many of his matches, all wrestled in the folk style, which is the same style used in high school and college, have ended early. Only three times has Forrest had to go the distance.

Now he is preparing for the beginning of the freestyle season, which gets underway with a state-qualifying tournament at Plum High School March 12.

He qualified for the state freestyle tournament last season but did not compete.

"I didn't take him and he was a little upset about that," his father said. "I told him if he made it next year, I'd take him. I didn't think taking him last year, having him go through that and lose his first match, would have benefited him."

Forrest is also at a loss to pinpoint a reason or two for his dramatic transformation from average to spectacular.

"Yeah, I'm surprised I've done better this year," he said. "I've done a lot better on top, on bottom and neutral."

While he has improved in all three areas of wrestling, his technique in the top position has shown the biggest spike.

He's been adept at ridding his opponents, wearing them out and scoring points and pins in the process.

"Top is my biggest strength," Forrest said.

While the 10-year-old enters tournaments mostly as an independent wrestler, he practices with the Grove City Wrestling Club and the Angry Fish Wrestling Club in northern Allegheny County.

The wide array of wrestlers he has faced has been a big help.

"I've taken him around to give him the opportunity to wrestle with kids not from the northern part of Butler County," Edwin said. "He's getting some variety."

Forrest likes the variety. He also likes the wrestling mat his father installed in the basement.

The two can be found most nights on the mat going over technique.

"It's getting a little harder as I get older," Edwin said, laughing.

But Forrest thinks the mat has aided his development.

"It helps a lot," Forrest said. "Having a mat down in my basement helps me learn moves more."

Forrest, who is also a baseball player, doesn't intend on taking off the headgear any time soon.

"I enjoy the sport," he said. "I like getting out on the mat and winning."

That was something he didn't do much of last season.

"He took his share of losses," Edwin said. "When you are a wrestler and you are not successful, it's hard."

But Forrest stuck with it and it has paid off.

"I think he's kind of starting to understand the sport, which is helpful, obviously," Edwin Christmann said. "Sometimes the body doesn't cooperate with the mind. I think once his reaction level increases and he can counter some of the moves, he can be awfully good. But, who knows?"