Poland's Pearce all alone on the mats

He's the only member of the Bulldogs' team and won his first bout Friday.
BY ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BELOIT -- For Poland High wrestler Ben Pearce, there is definitely an 'I' in team.
That's because the junior is the lone member of the school's varsity wrestling program. He even has to buy his own uniform.
While neighboring school districts like Canfield, Boardman and Fitch sport full squads, Pearce goes it alone when he competes in tournaments, like he did on Friday at the Division II sectional tournament at West Branch High School.
Works out with Boardman
Without teammates or a wrestling facility to practice in, Pearce has been taken in by the team at Boardman, where he practices every day after school.
"Boardman has been very hospitable to us," said Pearce. "I grew up in their youth wrestling program, so when I needed a place to practice, coach [Dom] Mancini was nice enough to help me out.
"I wouldn't be nearly as good as I am without being allowed to wrestle with them and seeing different styles and stuff."
Ben and his older brother Max wrestled in the Boardman youth program and really took to the sport. When Max went to state and finished fifth in 2005, Boardman had signs up for him in the school along with the rest of their state qualifiers.
Because he's not part of a team and able to compete in dual matches, Pearce must wrestle in tournaments in order to compete. This season, he's placed at Kenston (3rd), Top Gun (5th), Josh Hephner (3rd), Hoppel (2nd) and the Solon Comet Classic (6th). Entering sectional competition his record stood at 23-8 this season wrestling at 135 pounds.
Missed state last year
In 2006, Pearce advanced out of the West Branch sectional and finished sixth at the Firestone district -- two places away from qualifying for the state tournament.
Pearce says being the only wrestler from his school has its pros and cons, but he's happy with his current situation.
"It's hard because I don't have any friends here to support me," Pearce said. "But I play on the Poland soccer team with my friends, so it works out. With wrestling, I don't have to wait on the bus or anything when I'm done, so I can do whatever I want to do.
"I guess in some ways it would be better to be on a team, but I've lived in Poland all my life and I have a lot of friends and a girlfriend I don't want to leave."
A logical question would inquire why Pearce hasn't transferred to Boardman or another school that offers wrestling as a team sport. The topic has come up.
"We've talked about it back when Max wrestled and used to practice at Ursuline when it had a little bit of a program," said Ben's father and coach Henry Pearce. "But we're pretty settled in Poland and like the community. So to move for just one sport is something we have decided not to do.
"The people at Poland have been great with our situation. They have supported us and made sure all the paperwork with the OHSAA is handled. We appreciate that very much."
Top seed at 135 pounds
On Friday, Pearce, the No. 1 seed at 135 pounds, drew a bye in the first round. In the quarterfinals, he faced Hubbard's Anthony Nadeja. Pearce, who hadn't wrestled since the Hephner tournament in mid-January, earned a 14-2 victory.
"I felt a little rusty since it's been a while since I wrestled," said Pearce, who advanced to today's semifinals. "We've been looking for a tournament to wrestle in closer to sectionals, but couldn't find one.
"But hopefully I'll wrestle well tomorrow and be ready for districts. I'm hoping to be a district champion and make it to state."