Angels Camp, CA…Just after the high school wrestling practice ends, there comes an influx of little wrestlers that filter into Bret Harte’s “hot box” during the evening hours, to learn, practice and have fun under the “Wall of Fame” of the Bret Harte wrestling room and stand in awe of names such as Dillashaw, Dougherty and Sherrow. Under the guidance of high school-level coaches and Bret Harte alum, they learn and try to perfect the “sprawl, cross-face, arm-bar, wizard and granby.”

This year’s practice season kicked off the first week of November with over 30 youth wrestlers, ranging in ages from four to 13. As the season progressed, the eager and dedicated group competed in seven SCWAY Zone 2 tournaments, with some wrestlers competing in up to 12 tournaments throughout the four- month season.

“This year has been especially good for gaining new wrestlers and establishing their foundation, while the returning wrestlers did a great job with advancing their abilities,” stated wrestling director, Nic Valente.
The regular season concluded with an awards banquet on March 6, 2019 with 13 awards being presented by Coaches Nathan Vader, Ben Garcia and Dan Lawson, such as Coaches Award, Most Wins, Pin Master and Rookie of the Year.

The season climaxed with four wrestlers qualifying for the annual SCWAY Kids State Wrestling Championships that took place last Saturday, March 16, 2019. Qualifying were Robert Grycel, Emett Ormond, Matthew Valente and Aiden White. Grycel attends Copperopolis Elementary School as a 4th grader. Ormond (4th grade), Valente (3rd grade) and White (3rd grade) attend Mark Twain Elementary School in Angels Camp.

During the arduous day at Buchanan High School in Clovis, the boys wrestled two or more matches each against other State qualifiers traveling from as far as San Diego. In the end, Robert Grycel secured three match wins, two by fall, that earned him a 6th place finish in the 10U 53lb class.
Head Coach Nathan Vader, who has been coaching the up-and-coming Bullfrog wrestlers through the AMA program for the past six seasons, shared his enthusiasm for Grycel’s State finish by stating, “I am so proud of Robert. He looked awesome and I knew he was a special young man and wrestler.” He added, “All the time I put into coaching wrestling, it is great to see someone succeed!” Coach Vader served as the Bret Harte head wrestling coach for five seasons, in which he coached both of his assistant coaches – Ben Garcia and Dan Lawson. During 2003-2008, Coach Vader fostered two State qualifiers, three Section medalists, two League Championship titles.

“This wrestling season has been the most fun season yet. The season was not only highlighted at the end by a group of our wrestlers qualifying for the State Championships, but also by Robert standing on the podium at the tournament. What an accomplishment!” shared Coach Ben Garcia, who served as the head JV wrestling coach for Bret Harte this past high school wrestling season.

At this year’s SCWAY Nor Cal Kids Tournament of Champions at Escalon High School on March 3, 2019, Valente was the 8U 70lb champion, and Cash Day, a 2nd year wrestler, placed 2nd in the 8U 65lb class. Day, a 1st grader at Mark Twain Elementary School, placed 6th at last year’s SCWAY Kids State Championship in the 6U 68lb class and has high hopes of returning to State in the 2020 wrestling season.

2019 AMA Youth Wrestling Awards:
Best of the Best: Cash Day and Kent Knick
Coaches Awards: Emett Ormond, Brandon Quashnick and Matthew Valente
Most Improved: Robert Grycel
Most Wins: Quinn Felix
Pin Master: Cash Day
Rookie of the Year: Grady Drayton
Honorable Mention: Gavin Drayton, Julius Hill, Damien Martinez and Aiden White

For more information please call Nic Valente at 209 743 1216 or Coach Nathan Vader at 209 890 9822.

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“AMA’s mission is to involve youth in sports related recreational activities.  Through our sports programs, we have seen many lives change for the better.  Our youth learn respect, safety, sportsmanship, team play, fundamentals and skills needed to become successful athletes, future leaders within our community, and upstanding individuals.  With the help of donations, fundraising and volunteers, we can continue to support and improve our youth programs.” For more information, visit https://www.amayouthsports.com.