Youth wrestling hits the mat running
Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Wrestling isn't just for oiled-up lads, boasting bulging muscles, foaming at the mouth and prancing around in tight Speedos while belching egotistical rants into a microphone.
The Arkansas Youth Wrestling Association is entering its second year of existence, teaching a brand of Greco-Roman wrestling, similar to the style practiced by the Olympics and many colleges.
Unlike World Wrestling Entertainment's falsely competitive rules of engagement, the Arkansas Youth Wrestling Association instructs kids on the fundamentals of wrestling and sound sportsmanship, association director Roger Ferguson said.
The association will hold an organizational meeting to address its goals and upcoming schedule. The meeting will be held at Bates Gym on the campus of Fayetteville High School on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Children ages 4 to 16 are eligible to compete.
"We're very excited about getting this program off the ground," Ferguson said. "Anyone who is interested in knowing what we're about or who wants to get their child involved should definitely come to this meeting."
Ferguson and John Kauffman have partnered to found the association. The operation has grown so large, though, that they need volunteers to help coach and organize events.
"We're looking for as many young wrestlers as we can get," Ferguson said. "But we also want more experienced wrestlers to help coach and help get this youth organization going. I put an ad in the newspaper about this organization last year and my phone just didn't stop ringing. We know the interest is there; we just need the help now."
Ferguson is also on the forefront of an effort to garner an Arkansas Activities Association sanction for wrestling in Arkansas high schools.
The association will be separate from the high school but Ferguson said the youth association will eventually help stock the high school with talent.
"It's going to get sanctioned because we have so many schools that want it," Ferguson said. "A lot of people have moved from the central and northern part of the country because of Tyson or Wal-Mart. Wrestling is big in that part of the country and while the program is in its infancy now, we think this is something that's really going to catch on."
Ferguson is the wrestling coach at Fayetteville High, which began competition last season. Ferguson said FHS will have about 25 wrestlers this season. The Purple Dogs will travel to Tulsa Union Nov. 4 for a preseason meet.
Ferguson said FHS athletics director Dick Johnson approached him last year about generating interest for a high school team.
"Arkansas Youth Wrestling got off the ground and last year Dick invited us to come in," Ferguson said. "He's been very supportive and we've really seen a lot of interest in the program."
Ferguson recently attended a meeting with the AAA in Little Rock, where athletic directors from several schools addressed issues concerning the sanctioning of the sport for high school competition. Ferguson said Fayetteville, Pulaski Academy, Little Rock Christian, Springdale, Springdale Har-Ber and Bentonville all sent representatives. Ferguson said the high schools agreed to have an invitational state championship, which Fayetteville will co-host with Bentonville in March.
"We took the kids to several meets last year in Oklahoma, where wrestling's like a religion," Ferguson said. "Wrestling gives kids of all different ages and sizes a chance to compete against other kids their size. You might not be the strongest or fastest, but in wrestling hard work and technique will pay off. And everyone competes; no one rides the pine in wrestling."
Ferguson said he has also coordinated with national wrestling organizations to make the winner of the state title eligible to compete at nationals.
For more information about this subject, contact Ferguson at rferguson @ fay. arnet or rwf 01 @ uark. edu.
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