Youth program built base for Southeastern wrestling

Foundation started several years ago leads to high school team.

Thorne Stoopes of Southeastern and Michael Herbert of Tecumseh wrestle in the 152-pound class during the Clark County Clash meet on Jan. 7 at Shawnee High School. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara Perenic Thorne Stoopes of Southeastern and Michael Herbert of Tecumseh wrestle in the 152-pound class during the Clark County Clash meet on Jan. 7 at Shawnee High School. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By Kermit Rowe, Staff Writer 11:03 PM Saturday, January 28, 2012

SOUTH CHARLESTON — There wasn’t a magic wand that someone waved and “poof” varsity wrestling and bowling programs magically appeared at Southeastern High School.

Both were a result of a lot of groundwork. The bowling squad started as a club sport. The wrestling team, on the other hand, evolved from a peewee program started several years ago.

But those involved don’t care how it happened, just that it did happen.

“There were four or five boys from South Charleston who were wrestling in the Northeastern youth program; so the parents asked why we didn’t just start our own youth program,” said Jay Mitchell, general manager of the Southeastern Youth Wrestling. “Everything has kind spawned from that.”

All with the pipe dream that somehow, some way the Trojans would be competing in the OHSAA someday.

“That’s been our goal from day one,” said Mitchell, whose peewee program is in its fourth season. “We knew there had been attempts in the past to get wrestling into Southeastern and they failed. We feel the big mistake that was made in the past was going directly into the high school without taking time to build a foundation. So we felt we’d start with the youth.”

It worked ... eventually.

“I didn’t have any idea of what concessions we’d have to make to get it into the high school,” he said. “We didn’t know we were going to be funding it.

“With Southeastern never having a program before, there were quite a few of doubters,” he continued. “I’m a competitive person, so those doubters strengthen my resolve.”

And that of the parents and wrestlers. They were not going to be denied competition in a sport they felt was integral in an young athlete’s development.

“We said if the high school picks it up, great. But we are moving forward as if they never are going to pick it up,” Mitchell said. “We proved this year that we can sustain it on our own. We’re prepared to do this do this for as long as it takes.”

Originally, the high school team used peewee funds to get started. It has been gradually raising the money to replace what it used, said volunteer head coach Tom Marshall.

“A lot of money has come from coaches pitching in, paying for tournaments — and a lot of fundraisers,” he said.

All the coaches are volunteers, and programs at Mechanicsburg and Graham have given the Trojans a helping hand as well.

“No one draws a salary, and we have dedicated coaches,” Marshall said.

There are 10 wrestlers on the high school team, five in middle school and 22 in the peewee ranks. In short, it’s a full-fledged team with a feeder program.

“Our goal is to be sustained by the high school,” said Marshall. “Some day that will happen. I’m confident of that.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0364.

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