MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / March 31, 1999

LAPLACE – The sport of wrestling is often associated with its professional side, with Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold, body slams and sleeper holds.

But professional wrestlers has little to do with amateur wrestling, the kind that has been practiced for centuries around the world. Amateurwrestling is more like a chess match with competitors performing a series of moves and countermoves to try to get the upperhand.

Wrestling also has a history in the River Parishes. East St. John twicefinsihed as state runner-up in the mid-1980s and as recently as 1998, the Wildcats’ Nick Peppo was competing in the state finals.

But interest in the sport in the area has waned over the last couple of years. To help promote the sport in the area, a local wrestling club hasbeen formed at Shannon’s Health and Fitness in LaPlace.

The Blue Knights Wrestling Club is a community club for boys ages 6-18.

The club is sanctioned by the USA Wrestling Federation, an association that promotes the sport throughout the country. Blue Knights is one of2,500 clubs throughout the United States. Other teams in the metro areasinclude those at Grace King, Jesuit and Rummel. There are also teams inLafayette and Baton Rouge.

The club got started four weeks ago. Word about it got out through flyerspassed around schools and through word of mouth. Interest in the club hasbeen even better than expected with 35 to 40 youngsters showing up for it every Tuesday and Thursday night at Shannon’s.

Coaches for the club include Peppo; Mike Dale, a former state champion and head wrestling coach at Rummel; and East St. John head wrestlingcoach Dan Erwin.

The coaches teach the techniques of wrestling, techniques that allow wrestlers to gain an advantage over their opponents.

“Unlike boxing and professional wrestling, the object is to control your opponent,” Dale said.

Wrestlers practice these techniques over and over, increasing their speed and proficiency in order to score points in a match. Dale compared thisrepitition to dancing with practice helps the moves become second nature.

Safety is a paramont at this level. A ratio of two athletes to one refereeduring matches assures safety. Wrestlers are also grouped according toweight, age and ability, competing against competitors their own size. Theyounger divisions start at 40 pounds and increase every five pounds.

Despite the newness of the club and the experience of the other clubs it has had to compete against, the Blue Knights have done quite well in the two tournaments it has competed in.

At the Louisiana State Champions of Wrestling tournament held the weekend of March 20, the club brought home a number of awards.

Lyndon Pousson took first place in the Division III, 112-pound category, the second straight tournament he has placed first. Tony Gambino placedsecond in the Division III, 90-pounds group. Ryan Ralser was third in theDivision II, 108-pounds group, while Casey Baker placed fourth in Division I, 55 pounds.

Dale said the club is planning to next compete in the Southeast Regionals held at Jesuit, April 15-17.

One of the goals of the club is to promote wrestling in the area and Dale hopes other schools besides East St. John pick it up. Dale said anotherpurpose is to help build self esteem in the youngsters.

The club is open to boys ages 6-18 and meets at Shannon’s Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:45 p.m until mid summer. The cost to join is $35 and includes a USA Wrestling membership card, Blue Knights wrestling team T-shirt and a subscription to USA Wrestler, the official publication of USA Wrestling.

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