Photo By Patrick Buffett | Seth Ostermann, a second-year Fort Lee Wolfpack wrestler, tries to gain an advantage...... read more read more
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FORT LEE, Va. -- Over the past three years, the Fort Lee Wolfpack has earned a solid reputation as a worthy contender in the Chesterfield-Hopewell Youth Wrestling League.
In addition to producing young athletes who possess the skill and motivation to compete and win against others in their weight class, the Family and MWR Youth Sports team is a showcase of discipline, good sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the art of wrestling.
On Sunday, the Wolfpack’s credibility rose even higher as team coaches and volunteer parents hosted their first league wrestling match here at the Post Field House. About 200 youngsters competed in the four-hour event. Represented off-post communities included New Kent, Midlothian, Powhatan, Matoaca, Louisa, Prince George, Colonial Heights and others.
“I think it’s significant because it increases our presence in the league,” said Joseph Lathwood, Wolfpack head coach. “Up until this event, we were just ‘visitors’ (at other venues where league matches took place). Other teams may not have even realized we were part of the league. Having a match here puts us all the way in the house … it shows our community is part of this program and will bring athletes and coaches who know how to compete.”
From start to finish, the Fort Lee meet Sunday was a whirlwind of activity. Multiple bouts were occurring simultaneously on three large wrestling mats and parent spectators, also numbering in the hundreds, cheered from sideline bleachers and folding chairs.
Lathwood smiled as he recalled favorable comments from the event. Coaches appreciated the professionalism of volunteer score-table workers and referees, he said, and parents gave high marks for the ringside access – a luxury that’s not common among the smaller gymnasium venues where the league matches normally take place.
“It’s safe to say the field house is a great location for this type of event,” he added. “I believe we’ll be hosting more matches here next year.”
Fifty-four pound, first-year wrestler John Sullivan was singled out by the head coach as one of the Fort Lee team’s best competitors this season. On Sunday, he was tagged for a rare surprise match after he beat two previous intermediate-level opponents in earlier rounds.
“John’s season started out a little rough. He had a hard time remembering a lot of the basic moves he had been taught, and he really didn’t have that winning mindset,” Lathwood said. “Then a switch activated about mid-season and he became more focused, more determined. That really showed this past weekend.”
Other standouts include Seth Ostermann (one win and one loss on Sunday), a bantam-class wrestler, and brothers Cayden (intermediate) and Bryson (bantam) Floyd who went undefeated over the weekend.
“They’re among our fast learners,” Lathwood said. “Cayden and Bryson were effectively using moves they were taught a few days earlier, and Seth just continued to drive forward, including one double-leg takedown move that caught us all by surprise.
“Without a doubt, we have a lot of strong competitors this year, and I think that showed on Sunday,” the Wolfpack coach continued.
“We’re heading into the end-of-season championship tournaments over the next two weekends, so I think we’re in a good place mentally,” he said. “That’s really what this is all about … you can have the best technique in the world, but if your mind isn’t right, you can’t win. You have to have that determination to never give up and push through the pain. That’s the best advice I can give to the team as they head into the championship, and I’m counting on them to represent the Fort Lee community with pride.”
Those who would like to follow the accomplishments of the Fort Lee Wolfpack can follow the team on its Facebook page (search for Fort Lee Wolfpack Wrestling). Families who would like to get their youngsters involved in the Youth Sports program at Fort Lee can call (804) 734-5364.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2015 09:19 |
| Story ID: | 153017 |
| Location: | FORT LEE, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Fort Lee wrestlers build reputation as top contenders, by Patrick Buffett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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