Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

Wrestling program takes wings at Oskaloosa

by Clarke Davis

A wrestling program for all ages is under way at Oskaloosa three nights a week and an invitation to join is extended countywide.

Oskaloosa Kids Wrestling Club operates under the auspices of USA Wrestling — a national organization that breaks down to states, regions, and districts.

Jared Bammes, 32, Valley Falls, heads up the program that attracts 15 to 20 kids each evening.

“They come in here as young as 4 years old—both boys and girls,” Bammes said.

The club is attracting children from Valley Falls, Winchester, McLouth, and Ozawkie along with those in Oskaloosa.

There are no local dues, but a $30 fee to USA Wrestling is required for insurance.

Bammes is the head wrestling coach for the Oskaloosa middle and high schools, but donates his time to the wrestling club.

Wrestling has been a long tradition in the coach’s family and his 11-year-old son makes the third generation to excel at the sport.

The 90-minute practices are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, during which the children are put through an exercise regimen, taught a few wrestling techniques, and paired up to wrestle in their weight class.

“There are also some less strenuous fun games that we play, too,” he said.

Bammes’ philosophy is to “make it fun.” There are no attendance requirements and no pressure. He believes that once given the opportunity to try out the sport they will continue and work hard if they like it.

“I’m getting some good parental support and help and things are falling into place,” Bammes said. “What people learn in time is that those involved in the sport make up a big family — we have a great time.”

The state tournament is held each March in Topeka and the Oskaloosa club always has a few qualify for state. They also compete in the Sunflower State games and plan to compete in Colorado in the summer of 2009.

“We’re planning for that trip now,” he said. “We’ll make it a vacation and include some trout fishing.”

As a high school coach, Bammes knows that attracting youngsters at an early age is important to the future of the sport and the program. He knows that if enough young kids are enthusiastic about the sport and the club can lay the foundation, the school will have a strong wrestling program for years into the future.

Jared is the middle brother in the Bammes family. Older brother, Mike, is the head wrestling coach at Dodge City and younger brother, Shawn, is the head middle school coach and assistant high school coach at Plainville.

The boys grew up in Manhattan and wrestled in a 6A school.

The little brother, Shawn, who got beat up all the time at home, turned out to be the best wrestler.

“He was a high school all-American and went to nationals,” Jared said.

Their father was a state qualifer in the 1950s. He was a head coach and started a pilot wrestling program at Rock Creek High School. He has recently retired from a postal job.

“He has a neat way of teaching kids. I wish he would move here and help with our program,” Jared said.

Bammes works the third shift at Josten’s in Topeka and said his dedication to the club doesn’t leave much time for anything else. However, he’s happy his own son, Dusty, the team captain, has the opportunity to pursue the sport the rest of the family is so enthusiastic about.

There’s payment of another kind, too.

“When you see that little kid win his first match and get a medal . . . that smile from ear to ear is a pay off,” Bammes said.

The coach and his wife, Trudy, also has a 5-year-old daughter, Alli. “She’s not sure about wrestling yet. Time will tell,” he said.

The club holds one fundraiser each year or seeks sponsors. The coach said the kids like to have club T-shirts.

Parents who wish to have their child test his or her interest in the sport can check into the high school wrestling room. Practice starts at 6.