By RICHIE HALL
Young wrestlers in Sheridan have a place to go in order to start their journey in the sport, sharpen their skills, or just have fun.
Sheridan seniors Devyn Pewarski, Eva Todd, AJ Hamersley, and Ryleigh Hampton are shown coaching two Black Talon youth wrestlers. (Photo provided)
The Black Talon Wrestling Club started last year and is entering its second year with greatly expanded membership. Club assistant Katie Hamersley said the first year, “we probably had 15 kids and we have tripled that this year.”
The club wrestlers are divided into beginners, which is primarily for the younger wrestlers. They are being taught fundamentals and are entered in what Hamersley calls “friendly matches.”
There is also a group for older, more advanced wrestlers. Some of the high school wrestlers compete in that class. As for older kids that are just starting out, Hamersley said they would be placed in the advanced group “just because of their size.”
“I think we had a couple middle schoolers wrestle at the beginners class, but they stayed for the advanced,” said Hammersley. “There were two of them, so they matched up in weight.”
Some of the club’s young wrestlers got the opportunity to compete in a youth tournament at Clinton Central. Hamersley said 20 wrestlers showed up for that tournament.
“They really like it and they actually listen, and they’re focused, which is great, even the really little ones,” said Hamersley. “The first tournament, everyone had a good time, even the parents just watching.”
Hamersley said the focus for the little wrestlers are on “stance, how to do a proper takedown, how a match would go. They’re learning how to do the top-bottom position. Just basic moves.”
“The high school girls volunteer to help with the younger kids,” said Hamersley. “My daughter AJ Hamersley is the assistant coach. She’ll sometimes also lead practices if she needs to. We have four to five girls that show up consistently to teach the younger kids. If it wasn’t for them, it would be very hectic.”
Black Talon Wrestling Club coach AJ Hamersley demonstrates a skill
during a club practice. This is the second year of the club, with the membership having tripled from the first year. (Photo provided)
“They love it,” said Katie Hamersley. “They’ve got buddies, the kids love them.”
AJ Hamersley is a senior and wrestled for the Blackhawks, while freshman Ellen Phillips also helps with the club.
“Getting to teach and mentor the kids in a sport that has taught me so much is very rewarding,” said AJ Hamersley. “I’m excited to be a part of something that creates opportunities for these kids, especially the girls.”
“Teaching is what I want to do in the future and being able to teach and mentor these kids has had a huge impact on me and them as well,” said Phillips. “I fell in love with this sport this season and want to show the kids how great it is.”
Colin Warner, an assistant with the Sheridan girls team, also helps with the club. He will be there for the its first-ever tournament for beginners this Saturday, Feb. 22 at Sheridan High School. The event will be for ages 6 to 12. Doors open at 8 a.m. with wrestling to start at 9 a.m.
“Colin said he wanted to give the kids all the opportunities to wrestle as they can,” said Katie Hamersley.
The club’s season begins in January and lasts through March or April.
“It depends on if we have kids who go further in the ISWA tournament,” said Hamersley. “That’s usually the older kids. They switch from folkstyle to freestyle wrestling at some point, and we also teach the freestyle.”
For more information on Black Talon Wrestling Club, visit its Facebook page at this link.
Club coaches AJ Hamersley and Eva Todd are shown coaching a match at a Clinton Central youth tournament. (Photo provided)