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Wrestling club looks to create new tradition
By Patrick Sargent
February 22nd, 2008
The children of Leominster Youth Wrestling Club are hitting the mats and making more popular a sport that lacks attention and involvement throughout the state.
The LYWC has seen great advances over the past year, including the participation of 22 kids.
"We're certainly moving at a fast approach. It was idle for a while and not growing the way it was intended to. We're hoping we've generated enthusiasm. We've grown in a positive light," said Donna Cicconne, in charge of the club's administration. "What we built upon is a need. The need was the kids really wanted this sport. We regrouped because of the needs of the kids."
The club's mission is to strengthen the town's wrestling program, promote exercise among children, and, most importantly, have fun. LYWC is based out of the Northwest School and has two levels, kindergarten through fifth grade, and sixth through eighth grades. Each level has their own different weight groups - the kids wrestle kids their own weight - and is coed.
Kids learn basics at Ben Davis
By Virginia Hilbert
February 16th, 2008
The half-nelson is first-year wrestler Christian Swigert's favorite move. That's because it's the only one the 6-year-old knows by name, said his mom, Karen Swigert.
Vinton County pee wee wrestling program gains popularity
By GABRIELLE JOHNSTON
February 8th, 2008
Pee wee league wrestling is looking to put Vinton County in a full nelson as the sport gains popularity and struggles to take its place among other local youth sports programs.
Vicky Beckley is the local pee wee league's coordinator. She organizes the teams and sets schedules, making the league possible. Beckley said she gained an interest in the sport when her high school-aged sons signed up for wrestling at Vinton County High School. The high school team is a recent re-addition to the sports roster, having new life breathed into the program about five years ago after a years long absence.
"I begged them not to sign up," Beckley said. Like many, Beckley didn't know much about the sport of wrestling and wasn't all that willing to learn. But, as her sons progressed through the high school's program, she became more and more involved, learning all the ins and outs of the sport.
By Scott Spruill
February 1st, 2008
Winning isn't everything.
Maybe you thought that saying had become nothing more than a punch line, the hard edge of contemporary youth sports having no room left for such a battered ideal.
Truth is, it's out there and strong as ever. A powerful and heartwarming example recently came from a 12-year-old wrestler from Ellensburg, Connor Sherwood, who regarded his compassionate deeds as simply "trying to help someone out."
At a three-team competition at Prosser's Housel Middle School, one team had among its members an eighth-grader with cognitive and physical disabilities. The idea for this boy, let's call him Doug, was to take part as a manager and perhaps share some mat time in practice with the team.
Souza, Other Girls Grapple With Stereotypes
By Lori Riley
January 31st, 2008
At first, Dyami Souza's mom wasn't thrilled that her daughter wanted to be a wrestler.
"She wanted to be a boxer and I thought this was a little better than being a boxer," Linda Souza said with a laugh. "At least she'll have a face left."
So Linda let her wrestle. Five years later, Dyami is a senior starter at 112 pounds for Windham High, No. 7 in the state coaches poll. Fifteen years ago, Jennifer Ottiano became the first — and only — girl to place in the top six in a state championship meet. Ottiano, who also wrestled for Windham, was fifth in Class L at 112. A longtime competitor in judo, she was the rare girl who could compete with the boys at the time.
This year, 89 girls are wrestling on boys teams in Connecticut and a handful of those girls are competitive.
Jessica Bennett, a 103-pound senior at Montville, is considered the top female wrestler in the state. She finished sixth in the ECC tournament last year and is 22-6 this season.
"She's one of the hardest-working kids I have in the room," Montville coach Gary Wilcox said.
| Adirondack CC | 4/1 & 4/8 |
| Broome CC | June 7, 2008 |
| Cayuga CC | Fall 2008 |
| Clinton CC | May 27, 2008 |
| Corning CC | |
| Columbia-Greene CC | July 19, 2008 |
| Dutchess CC | May 18, 2008 |
| Erie CC | TBA |
| F.I.T. | TBA |
| Finger Lakes CC | June 11th, 2008 |
| Fulton-Montgomery CC | May 15, 2008 |
| Herkimer CC | June 17th 2008 |
| Hudson Valley CC | May 6, 2008 |
| Jamestown CC | March 2008 |
| Jefferson CC | May 21, 2008 |
| Mohawk Valley CC | March 29, 2008 |
| Monroe CC | TBA |
| Nassau CC | 3/1 & 3/11 |
| Niagara CC | June 18, 2008 |
| Onondaga CC | April 26, 2008 |
| SUNY Orange CC | TBA |
| SUNY Rockland CC | May 6, 2008 |
| Schenectady CC | Summer 2008 |
| Suffolk CC | June 6, 2008 |
| Sullivan CC | TBA |
| Tompkins Cortland CC | May 5, 2008 |
| Ulster CC | October 7, 2008 |
| Westchester CC | 6/9, 7/16, and 8/14, 2008 |
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