43
Improvement, not wins, the focus at OAC tourney
By Steve Wilaj
YOUNGSTOWN
Roclen Bettura, 8, of Columbiana’s Youth Wrestling Club has a simple goal for this weekend’s 11th annual Ohio Athletic Committee grade school wrestling tournament at the Covelli Center.
“I want to win first place,” he said.
Defeating Timothy Ruf, 16-0, in Saturday’s preliminary round, the 85-pounder may be well on his way.
However, having his wrestlers finish first isn’t the top priority for Columbiana head coach Bob Davis.
“It’s youth wrestling, so it’s all about getting better,” Davis said. “That’s what I want to see. I want to see them stay in position, stay in good stances and wrestle their best matches. I could care less if they win or lose.”
So when he sees his young wrestlers win and improve — like Bettura and brothers Cyle and Caleb Burt did early in the preliminary matches — Davis is especially satisfied.
But, as he points out, it’s something the kids earn.
“Open mats start in November and they’re still wrestling now,” Davis said. “We go twice a week and they work hard in practice, I give them that.
“I can show them the stuff all day, but if they don’t work hard, they’re not gonna be able to do it. So it’s not me, it’s them.”
Bettura is ranked first in his weight class and won his division of the OAC’s youth wrestling tournament in 2012. Last year he finished fourth.
Even at such a young age, he realizes the practice the sport requires.
“We work really hard,” Bettura said. “We do drills almost the whole practice.”
Considering his showing against Ruf, that hard work is apparent.
“Rocklen kept himself in good position, kept pressure on the kid like he always does and that’s why he won and that’s why he always wins,” Davis said. “He’s a heavier kid, pretty quick on his feet and strong. So he can compete with those heavier kids, but he’s quicker than most of them. That’s what helps him. He’s a good athlete.”
The Burt brothers, Cyle of the 50-pound weight class and Caleb of the 40-pounders, also left Davis reassured of his program with two strong victories. Even more, he finds their success impressive for an additional reason.
“These lighter guys have a lot more competition because there’s a lot more of them,” Davis said. “It’s always been like that in wrestling. Big, tall kids play basketball.”
Sunday’s competition begins at 8 a.m. with consolation matches followed by a Parade of Champions. The final championship matches will take place immediately after.