From the Middletown (Connecticut) Press
Story Link
McKeever’s classes teach the basics
By SEAN P. REILLY, Middletown Press Sports Writer
12/24/2004
MIDDLETOWN – A few short years ago, mentioning the sport of wrestling to either elementary or high school students would probably immediately conjure up thoughts of the latest “Wrestlemania “event due on cable television.
That version of the sport, or some would say, entertainment, with staged and choreographed moves, gave teenagers very little knowledge of one of the oldest athletic competitions known to man.
Lately, however, with the help of area coaches such as Keigwin School’s Steve McKeever and Middletown High School’s Mark Fong, area youth are turning out in droves to learn, practice and participate in the real deal.
Four years ago, after having retired from coaching on the high school level with Fong to focus on family, McKeever was approached by administrators and parents looking to begin a wrestling program in Middletown’s middle schools.
McKeever, an avid aficionado of the sport whose daytime duties have him teaching chemistry at MHS, jumped at the opportunity.
“Coaching with Mark (Fong) was great, “he said, “but my kids were very young then, and I wanted to spend time with them. Coaching takes a lot of time away from family. Now that my children are getting older, this was perfect for me.”
Five days a week, sixth-graders from Keigwin, along with a busload of seventh and eighthgraders from Wilson, trek to McKeever in search of the “ins and outs “of a very complicated sporting event.
“I currently have about 35 kids on my roster, “McKeever stated. “That number has remained pretty consistent. What has grown is how many younger students who are coming out. A lot of these kids are bringing a friend or two every year looking to find out what it’s all about.”
“We do compete against other towns such as Berlin, Windham and Madison, but one thing we don’t do is have kids either gain or lose pounds to ‘cut’ weight.”
Luckily for Fong and Vinal Tech wrestling coach Kevin Laragy, McKeever is producing a plethora of athletes who are match-ready once they reach the high school level.
“I’ve sent about eight or nine kids to MHS, “McKeever said, “and about the same to Vinal. I have to give Mark (Fong) and the board of education a lot of credit though. They were the ones that got this going.”
“The great thing about doing this is that if these students don’t know anything about wrestling when they start, by the end of the year they’re very knowledgeable.
“I stress the importance of good nutrition and the technical aspect of wrestling so that when they’re freshman, they can focus on other things regarding the sport.”
McKeever, whose wife Karen is a teacher at Keigwin and a former basketball and soccer coach at MHS, says three current members of his squad that have immense talent.
“Brendan Behm is an eight-grader who is very good, “he said. “He has a great work ethic and that will eventually pay off. Wesley Ruimerman is also a kid who is really talented. He’s going to have a lot to offer in high school. “
“Finally, Tyler McDonald is just a sixth-grader but his dad has been taking to meets all over and I’m really looking forward to getting him to wrestle. Great mat sense.”
McKeever’s crew will compete in two upcoming tournaments, the first being a huge event at Berlin next month. Anyone interested in the sport can contact him at either the middle school or MHS.
Sean P. Reilly can be reached at [email protected] or at 860-347-3331 ext. 217.
Wrestling Gear
