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Youth wrestling program benefits from experienced volunteers
HARTINGTON — A new generation of wrestlers is already taking shape in Hartington, thanks in part to high school athletes who are stepping off the podium and into the practice room to mentor the next wave.
League of Heroes co-founder John Freeman said the connection between younger wrestlers and high school athletes has become a key part of the program’s growth.
“One of the biggest successes of our youth program is the younger kids getting to see the success of the older kids and interact with them,” Freeman said. “Each high school wrestler started out in the League of Heroes and faced many of the same challenges our current kids face.”
Freeman started the program with Eric Becker and Cameron Schrempp. He said younger wrestlers are motivated by watching high school athletes compete and succeed.
“As the high school programs succeed, these younger kids want to emulate their role models,” Freeman said. “It shows them the value of hard work.”
The program has continued to expand, including growth at the youngest levels.
“We’ve had great success in our tots program, introducing preschool-aged kids to the sport,” Freeman said. “This year, the junior high girls team helped run the program with assistance from the high school girls.”
Freeman said the response has been positive as more girls are introduced to wrestling.
At Cedar Catholic, the girls wrestling program continues to develop. Evie Freeman, Ashlynn Dailey and Morgan Kuchta competed for the Lady Trojans this past season.
Freeman won the program’s first state title last season after earning its first state medal as a freshman.
“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about Evie, Morgan and Ashlynn and how they’ve inspired younger girls,” Freeman said. “Wrestling is a generational sport, and each group helps build the future.”
High school wrestlers from both Cedar Catholic and Hartington-Newcastle have also taken on leadership roles within the youth program.
“The League of Heroes was very important for all of us who wrestled this year,” said Cedar Catholic state champion Bodie Hochstein. “We were there when it started, and it just keeps growing.”
Hochstein credited coaches and volunteers for the program’s success. “Eric Becker and John Freeman have been very important, and there are a lot of people who volunteer their time,” he said.
High school wrestlers have also participated in youth practices and events, giving younger athletes a chance to interact with them.
“We had a night where Cedar Catholic and Hartington-Newcastle wrestlers came and met with the younger kids,” Hochstein said. “It was a great experience.”
Hochstein said the interactions have a noticeable impact. “When we go to practice with them, you can see how much it inspires the younger kids,” he said.
Freeman said participation numbers continue to grow, particularly in the youngest age groups.
“Our tots program doubled in size this year,” he said. “We attribute that to the success of our high school wrestlers and their visibility, along with their involvement in practices and events.”
He said the connection between current athletes and younger wrestlers continues to drive interest in the sport locally.
“We’re excited to see where it goes from here,” Freeman said.
