Nearly Half of Athletes in Bridgeport Youth Wrestling Program Compete at State Meet; Four Earn Titles
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on February 19, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Thirty-six young wrestlers took part in Bridgeport Parks & Recreation’s Youth Wrestling Program this year; 24 of those athletes going to regional competition at University High School and 17 to this past weekend’s state tournament at Huntington's Big Sandy Arena.
The determination and hard work provided by his young wrestlers – most between the ages of five and eight – is contributing to somewhat of an athletic revolution.
“Wrestling is a growing sport. There’s been a lot more coverage on ESPN and kids are watching it,” said Coach Shawn Taylor. “It’s a fun sport. Kids see it and want to do it. For some kids, it’s just not their sport, but we try to make it fun for all the kids and help them learn. It’s for all
levels. Some keep coming back and it just clicks.”
levels. Some keep coming back and it just clicks.”
Some of Taylor’s older wrestlers started with the program when they were very young. Others have already advanced to Bridgeport Middle School and Bridgeport High School wrestling programs.
“It’s all coming together,” Taylor said. “I’ve talked to coaches at the middle school and high school and we’re al on board to grow this sport. There were five middle school champions this year, all who wrestled in the youth program.”
Taylor looks forward not only to seeing how his wrestlers do this weekend, but also the long-term future of wrestling.
He foresees that six to eight years down the road, wrestling
will be quite popular for both athletes and spectators.
Youth wrestlers competing this season are Nick Glaspell, Cameron Glaspell, Kasen Sayres, Carter Shiflet, Brent Taylor, Gabriel Devono, Brantley Heid, Aiden Willis, Brysen Heid, Abram Jenkins, Jackson Rabren, Henrik Kunzler, Landon Roberts, Angel Starkey, Hunter Scheuvront, Joseph Ware, Christian Ware, Jake Quinlan, James Braden, Zander Osborn, Nicholas Cunningham, Lucas Jackson, Liam Jenkins, Eli Smart, Braylon McMiller, Alexis Russ, Dominic Piot, Nichoals Piot, Ace Speight, TJ Bearden, Cooper Smith, Maximus Smith, Jack Holbert, Jase Smith, Carter Strasser, Michael Al-Hosainy, Andrew Al-Hosainy, Draper Byrd, Christian Broadwater, Jack Tobrey, Camden Jones and Ashton Toler.
Wrestlers placing at the state tournament (and pictured from top) are:
4u-45lb 3rd place Brantley Heid
6u-55lb runner-up Cooper Smith
8u-HWT 5th place Owen Gherke
10u-95lb 6th place Nicholas Cunningham
Those placing Feb. 10 at regionals are:
4u-45lb 2nd place Brantley Heid
6u-45lb 5th place Ace Speight
7th place Cameron Glaspell
6u-50lb 6th place Brent Taylor
6u-55lb 1st place Cooper Smith
6u-HWT 1st place Nicholas Piot
8u-50lb 3rd place TJ Bearden
7th place Brysen Heid
8u-60lb 3rd place Nick Glaspell
5th place Carter Shiflet
8u-65lb 5th place Maximus Smith
8u-85lb 4th place Dominic Piot
8u-HWT 3rd place Owen Gherke
7th place James Braden
10u-60lb 5th place Jackson Rabren
10u-80lb 5th place Isaiah Clayton
10u-95lb 3rd place Nicholas Cunningham
Middle School-102lb 2nd place Brodie Carnes
Middle School-123lb 4th place Colton Clingenpeel
Editor's Note: See several action images captured this season by team photographer Nickii Glaspell in the gallery below. 
