Youth Hit the Mat at Parkview

When Jack Smith, a former all-state wrestler in his native Ohio, found out 10 years ago that he was going to be the father of twin boys, he had an immediate, perhaps unusual, reaction.

"Two state champions," Smith recalled saying. "And last year, it came true."

Smith, coach for the Parkview Youth Wrestling program, was talking about his 10-year-old twins Logan and Gavin, two of the more than 300 kids ages 5 to 14 who participated in Saturday's Parkview Thanksgiving Tournament in Lilburn.

Last year, Logan and Gavin won Team Georgia USA Wrestling titles, and both have aspirations of wrestling at Ohio State.

Saturday, Logan, wearing Ohio State socks, won the 10-and-under, 91-pound weight division. Gavin, who was on track to win the age group's 84-pound division, had to pull out when he came down with a stomach bug. Their 7-year-old sister Sarah also participated in the tournament.

"I like the feeling when you win," said Logan. "I like the challenge."

At youth tournaments like Parkview's, young wrestlers get a chance to experience a big-tournament atmosphere, develop their skills and befriend other kids with similar interests.

Parents, armed with cameras and loud cheering voiuces, connect with other parents and help promote a sport that often is overlooked in a state that has stronger reputations in football, basketball and baseball.

"A lot of people don't even know there's a state wrestling program," said Jack Smith, referring to Team Georgia, which is sanctioned by USA Wrestling. "And it's improving in Georgia."

Chris Hardin, Parkview High's head coach and director of the large early season tournament, agreed, saying, "Georgia is one of the top 5 or 10 fastest-growing states in the country in wrestling. And that has a lot to do with our youth wrestling circuit."

Hardin said Saturday's tournament was a good indicator of interest in Georgia — it was an impressive turnout on a holiday weekend.

While he couldn't determine the exact number of competitors, 370 had registered before the event. Matches were held throughout the day on six wrestling mats in Parkview's gymnasium. That resulted in a long day for Hardin, who was at Parkview from before 7 a.m. until after 9 p.m.

He credited his wrestlers, wrestling managers and parents for making it happen. They manned scoring tables, updated brackets and ran the concessions. "I have to give them all the credit for making it happen. It was an overall program effort."

Effort is what wrestling is all about, said Jack Smith, who sees the sport's impact on his kids.

"The thing I love about wrestling is there are no excuses," he said. "You get out of it what you put into it. There's no one else to point the finger at."