Youth wrestling continues to grow in South Mississippi

VANCLEAVE, Miss. (WXXV) — While high school wrestling on the state level has wrapped up, there’s still plenty of action taking place on the mats.

The Vancleave Takedown Club hosted its wrestling tournament on Saturday, and it drew quite the crowd.

Wrestlers ranging in age from 6U to juniors took the mats for some folkstyle, freestyle and greco wrestling, with lots of fierce competition in the circle and plenty of support from family members in the bleachers.

Some young wrestlers took the opportunity to continue their hard work on the mats, but for others, it served as a fun introduction to a new sport that is certainly growing in popularity.

“We have really good coaches, so I’m very prepared for my first meet,” Vancleave wrestler Ryleigh said.

“Obviously I’m nervous, but I feel confident in what I’ve been taught and just how our coaches have prepared us,” teammate Teagan added.

“I came to wrestling, like, started wrestling, [it] was kind of he just came and started talking to us — our head coach, David Sutherland,” Vancleave wrestler Lilly added. “He kind of came and started talking to us, but, like Ryleigh was saying, we just have a great wrestling program, and I just enjoy our wrestling program.”

Wrestlers traveled from out of state to attend the event.

“Wrestling is a fun sport and the oldest sport, and it’s kind of hard and you have to be aggressive,” seven-year-old Keith from Belle Chasse said.

“Well, it’s been good, I’ve only placed second and first,” Isabella from Belle Chasse added. “I’ve never placed third, and the only times I don’t place is when I wrestle boys.”