Staff Writer
CARIBOU – Third and fourth grade students entered the wrestling ring, and took up their beginning stance to show off the wrestling maneuvers they’ve learned under the direction of Steve Austin on March 27.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
Charli Bergin (left) attempts to take down her partner Justice Flannery at a practice before the Teauge Park wrestling exhibition.
For five years, Austin has led a five-week after-school wrestling program for interested athletes at Teague Park Elementary School. The culminating exhibition, this year involving 40 students, gives participants an opportunity to demonstrate all they’ve learned to their parents.
Austin, formerly the high school wrestling program coach, started the program at the elementary school because he noticed many of the high school athletes had no prior experience in the sport.
“We teach the basic moves, and things they’ll encounter in middle school,” explained Austin. With the benefits of the program already visible at the middle school wrestling level, Austin believes the high school team will reap the rewards of experienced athletes within the next couple of years.
“It also keeps them active,” said Austin. “That’s particularly important, especially with obesity rates among children, and it is an avenue to release some stress.”
Austin teaches the students basic wrestling stance and maneuvers including proper neutral stance and top/bottom positioning, double-leg takedown, head and arm, head and arm roll through, flash, bear hug, sprawl, air force, tight waist chop the arm, tight waist ankle, inside stand, half nelson, reverse half and peel and look away.
Ten-year-old wrestling student Justin Ouellette entered the program encouraged by his father. “I like all the people here and doing all the moves,” said Ouellette.
Jacob Burby, a 9-year-old student, likes to perform the flash move the most. “It’s cool,” said Burby.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
Brendan Wood assists Cole Jackson (on top) and Robert Caudill with a wrestling exercise.
Ashton Beaver (on top) prepares to perform to take down his partener Devin Martin during a wrestling practice at Teague Park.
