One of wrestling’s loudest fans just being a mom

By Rob Daniel
Iowa City Press-Citizen

Laurie Bertin leaned forward in her seat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, eyes glued ahead to the wrestling mat on the arena floor.

Occasionally, she slipped off the seat, kneeling as she continued to watch, shouting encouragement to her son, Ryan Bertin, a wrestler for the University of Michigan and the only nationally top-ranked grappler in the field at this weekend’s Big Ten Wrestling Tournament.

“Keep pressuring, “she shouted from her seat, surrounded by other Michigan fans including husband Chris and son Kyle, 17. “Come on out, baby. Come on out.”

Ryan Bertin defeated Brandon Becker of Indiana University, and moved on to the championship match scheduled for today. Laurie Bertin relaxed again, sitting back in her seat and talking calmly with other Michigan fans.

“I’m not nervous this year, “she said. “I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

Laurie Bertin has made her mark as one of collegiate wrestling’s most animated fans, constantly shouting encouragement to Ryan and other Michigan wrestlers.

“I get a little intense when Ryan wrestles, “Laurie Bertin said. “Whatever I say, I don’t really mean. Moms get a little crazy. I’m just an intense person.”

Ryan Bertin, 23 and a senior, said he knows when his mother is in the stands and is used to her enthusiastic support.

“She’s an extremely intense person like I am, “he said. “She’s not very good at keeping her emotions in. She gets pretty riled up.”

Laurie Bertin and her husband, Chris, a wrestler at the University of Cincinnati in the early 1970s, have been to most of Ryan’s meets since he began wrestling at age 6. Ryan Bertin said his parents have supported him and his brothers — Jason, 25, and Kyle — as they wrestled for national powerhouse St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio. The Bertin boys grew up in nearby Broadview Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

“Both of my parents have always been real supportive, “Ryan Bertin said. “It’s nice to know my parents support me.”

Laurie Bertin said she regularly helps Ryan keep track of statistics and other wrestlers, providing a scouting report before every match.

“Before the match, he doesn’t know who he’s wrestling, “Laurie Bertin said. “He calls me.”

She said the family support might have helped pushed Ryan in his successful wrestling career. Ryan Bertin had a 24-0 record going into this weekend’s championships and had won the NCAA title at 157 pounds in 2002-03. He also was a national champion in high school.

Laurie Bertin’s support also has helped younger brother Kyle, a junior in high school, as he wrestles.

“It’s good to know she’s there and she’s with you the whole way, “Kyle Bertin said.

Ryan Bertin said he is able to concentrate with the intense cheering in his corner, listening only before and after matches.

“I don’t really hear her while I am wrestling, “he said. “She’s been around the sport awhile. She gets into it.”

At the same time, he said she is not as animated as she used to be.

“She’s actually calmed down over the years, “Ryan Bertin said.

What happens after this weekend’s Big Ten tournament and the NCAA tournament March 17-19 in St. Louis remains to be seen. Ryan Bertin plans to stay at Michigan and coach next year while attending law school. For Laurie and Chris Bertin, they will continue to watch Kyle in high school, but said there will be some adjustment.

“It’s going to be a big change, “Laurie Bertin said. “Everything during the season revolves around wrestling. It will be harder for us than it will be for (Ryan).”

For now, it’s just everyone in the family enjoying the moment, she said.

“(Ryan’s) having the most fun he’s had in 18 years, “Laurie Bertin said. “He’s healthy. If he stays healthy, knock on wood, (seven) more matches.”

Reach Rob Daniel at 339-7360 or [email protected]