At a practice facility at the Wayne Jamison Field complex, 26 young wrestlers put in three practice sessions per week November through mid-March. Some had returned from last season; others learning skills for the very first time. Hard work and dedication have resulted in positive competitive efforts, including the post-season state tournament in Beckley, where half the roster advanced and five placed on the state level.

 

In addition to immediate rewards are long-term benefits. Participating wrestlers became prepared to try out for middle school and high school teams. Bridgeport Youth Wrestling – open to kids age five to 15 - is a program of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation; one which has grown in recent years and has accomplished intended goals.

 

“Wrestling is a valuable youth sport,” said Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth, soon to take the reins as director. “…It does a great job of teaching discipline, self-confidence and inner strength. The team aspect is great at teaching teamwork and sportsmanship.”

 

Shawn Taylor and Jim Nolte serve as coaches for the popular youth program. Taylor, who came on board about three years ago when the program was launched, said he is very pleased with the program's progression and how athletes are progressing and preparing to move through the competitive ranks.

 

“When the program started, we had maybe 12 kids and would take five to tournaments each weekend,” Taylor said. “The second year, we had 20-22 wrestlers, but still took only about seven kids to tournaments.”

 

This past season, not only did more wrestlers join the program and compete to weekend tournaments, but organizers raised the bar, creating more of a team element, Taylor said.

 

“The first year, we didn’t have that team attitude or team look,” he said.

 

This year, new singlets were purchased, becoming the property of the program. Wrestlers, however, did take home hoodies, T-shirts and shorts; all items bearing the Indian mascot and red, white and black color scheme.

 

Organizers also stepped up practice time.

 

“It used to be two days a week with an optional day, but we decided to cut the optional day and make it mandatory,” Taylor said. “The outcome has been so much better.”

 

At those practice sessions – which parents are invited to watch – coaches teach skills and prepare wrestlers for tournaments. A scrimmage with Barbour County also helped athletes be better equipped.

 

“It was good to get kids from another program to wrestle us,” Taylor said. “What happens is that when kids wrestle the same kids over and over, they start to play around and start to slack. They don’t get better because they plateau. But if you bring in other kids, they step it up and see what they need to work on.”

 

The youth wrestling season stretches two months beyond the competitive middle school season, giving participants extended time to train for future wrestling endeavors. Having those technical skills and experience under their belts provides good self-confidence, too.

 

“It’s a whole different monster at the high school level,” Taylor said. “There are more egos and masculinity. It’s a little bit of an adjustment. Youth kids are used to wrestling other kids and the next thing they know, they are the freshmen – the low men on the totem pole, maybe wrestling a senior. But once on the mat, they know what to do. They realize they can shoot on that guy, get off their back and slowly figure it out.”

 

A former wrestler and member of U.S. Marines, Taylor knows the lifetime benefits the sport provides.

 

“Pushing your body to the limits – knowing how far you can go – can help you in life,” he said.

 

Now his four-year-old son Brent is being introduced to the sport and the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation youth wrestling program.

 

At the 2018 WVYWA State Tournament, Cooper Smith finished third and brother Maximus Smith placed fourth; Owen Gherke placed fifth, Brody Carnes finished 6th and brother Bryce Carnes advanced to consolation semifinals.

 

Shuttleworth is pleased with the program and its results.

 

“Ihave been a proponent of supporting grassroots programs such as this on many fronts. I feel that in order for our youth to accel and be competitive in school sports and beyond, they need the opportunity to build the foundations for success,” he said. “This program is beginning to show positive results in the successes of our middle school and high school athletes, many of whom participated in this program.”

 

Shuttleworth thanks Coach Taylor and Coach Nolte for their hard work and dedication to the program.

 

The program will start up again in the fall. 

 

Photos are courtesy of Bridgeport Youth Wrestling.