By JENNIFER PENTON – IR Sports Writer
Like father like son. Wrestling is more than just competition to the members of the East Helena Wrestling Club. For many members, following in their father’s footsteps is more meaningful than any shinny medal or trophy they could receive.
“My dad, he wrestled in high school, “Noah Rivers, who has won state titles in Greco-Roman, freestyle and folkstyle disciplines. “He wanted me and my brother to wrestle and do sports. He took us to practice one night and we liked it. My favorite thing about wrestling is having my dad with me at tournaments.”
Parents are a vital role in the East Helena Wrestling Club. Twelve dads are coaches and some are even members of the organization board of directors.
Tyler Christians’ dad, Carl, is not only a coach, but also the non-profit organization’s president.
“My dad is the president of the club, “Christians said. “He sets up tournaments and puts on meetings.”
Most of the fathers like Brandon Songer have had previous wrestling experience and wanted to see their son continue to excel at the sport. Songer is a former member of the club as well as the Helena High wrestling team.
“My dad is a coach because he was cheering in the stands and wanted to do more, “Wyatt Gneckow said.
Delane Erickson, the team’s head coach, began wrestling at the age of nine and holds an All-American title.
Erickson passed his love of wrestling on to his three sons and two years ago became their coach.
“I like having him as a coach, “Tucker Erickson, the middle child, said. “My dad knows my moves. If my dad is (at matches) he just wants me to have fun.”
Delane will take his sons Tucker, Tanner, and Toby as well as two other members to Winnemucca, Nev. June 20- 25 to compete in the West Kids Regional Championships.
“Between those five, they have wrestled about 500 matches and won 90 percent of them, “Delane Erickson said. “The guys just feed off of each other.”
However, the 30 member team has not only won numerous individual titles, but has also won this year’s state titles in the folkstyle division in the large team and Greco-Roman in the medium team.
Delane Erickson’s youngest son, Tanner, began wrestling at the age of four and holds two USAW titles.
“Tanner grew up literally on the mat, “Delane Erickson said. “In the winter it is wrestling season for us.”
The four month season is packed with travel to about 13 tournaments and weekly practices.
The team also attends camps to continue developing skills. Gneckow, who has been wrestling for four years, said attending camps is one way the team has fun.
“It is fun being able to see friends on the team at practices and camps, “Gneckow said. “We have fun and go to wrestling camp in Montana.”
Tucker Erickson said the best part of attending tournaments is winning a match though his main reason of being in the club was to have fun and not about gaining medals.
“Nothing makes me feel better then when I pin a kid, “Tucker Erickson said. “It is all about fun. If they take wrestling away from me I would not have fun.
“If you do not get a medal it is ok. At least you have done better than someone.”
When wrestling the athletes can get emotionally involved in a match and the adrenaline may take over.
“Wrestling is such an emotional sport, “Delane Erickson said. “You can wrestle mad, but you have to focus.”
Toby Erickson, who is 21-0 on the season, said wrestling is actually more of a mental game than a physical one.
“(Wrestling) helps you be mentally and physically tougher, “Toby Erickson, who has been a wrestler for nine years, said. “You make last second decisions when you wrestle. You have to make real quick decisions to get out of a rough spot.”
As a wrester you also have to be mentally prepared before even stepping on the mat to win a match.
“If you focus on winning you will not win, “Christians, a 12 year old in the schoolboy division, said. “If you think too much on doing one move you will not win. You need to have about three moves in your head before the match. You win because you know the moves.”
Wrestling is not just about strength. Being physically able to compete with someone of the same weight class is much more important.
“You need to be able to run and be able to wrestle for two and a half minutes non-stop, “Christians said. “It is a matter of talent not strength.”
Toby Erickson said having two younger brothers following in his footsteps does not bother him in the least.
“If you win you do not have to share much of the glory, “Toby Erickson said. “You feel like you can do it by yourself.”
As the oldest wrestler on the team at the age of 13, Toby Erickson is already planning on wrestling on the collegiate circuit. Toby Erickson said being on the East Helena Wrestling Club will help him have an advantage competing in the NCAA.
“My goal is to get a full scholarship to a big wrestling school and wrestle in college, “Toby Erickson said. “I would like to go to Oklahoma State University or Minnesota or one of the Illinois schools.”
Boggs has a goal too. At the age of 10 with a record of 53-0 with 15 pins, Boggs is looking to one day be in the Olympic games.
“I like the really big medals, “Boggs said.
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