St. Ignace Recreation To Sponsor Wrestling for Youths

The St. Ignace youth wrestling program includes (front, from left) Preston Spencer, Drew Marshall, Trevor Matson, Reid Marshall, Austin Marshall, Ryan Mahaiz, Hunter Frazier, Daniel Marsh, Ethan Taylor; (middle) Ben Schieding, Mitchell Snyder, Jessie Halberg, Dylan Marshall, Luke Valletta, Joel Dodds, Mitchell Peterson, Toby Ferguson, Richard Bentley; (back) Head Coach John Scheiding, Joey Ostman, Galloway Thurston, Chase DeKeyser, Assistant Coach Chris Marshall, Club Director Scott Marshall.

A youth wrestling club has been formed in St. Ignace for athletes from age five to 13. Twenty youngsters are participating.

The club, coached by John Schieding, is a member of the Michigan Youth Wrestling Association (MYWAY) and practices at the elementary school gymnasium. Athletes will compete at the state level.

"We are trying to raise money to buy a new mat for the Saints varsity team, and hope to receive one of their old mats that we can keep at a permanent site," said Scott Marshall, a representative of the team.

The mission of the club is to provide a mat for youths who are just entering the sport of wrestling, learning the fundamentals as they build confidence. Coaches will encourage hard work and sportsmanship among their players.

The season began in September and will continue into April, with a brief break during the St. Ignace junior high wrestling season.

The St. Ignace City Recreation Department and the club are planning to host a national tournament that will include teams from throughout the United States in June.

Support for the club is coming from the St. Ignace Middle School, Coach Harvey Bentley and his Saints varsity wrestling program, the City Recreation Department, A&I Midwest Printing, John Schieding, Dave Thurston, and Lance DeKeyser.

Area youth wrestling tournaments will be held at Sault Ste. Marie, Onaway, Rudyard, Gaylord, Rogers City, Munising, Petoskey, and Manistique.