State youth wrestling sees growth

Four days a week, Mike Eierman’s house resembles a small elementary school.

Every Monday through Thursday, 28 athletes aged 7-14 - or Eierman Elite as the former world-class wrestler’s club is known - learn how to grapple like University of Missouri star Ben Askren.

They gather at the wrestling facility built out of Eierman’s house in Millersburg, where Eierman said he teaches them how to wrestle the right way: scrambling, or funk, and mat wrestling.

It’s a formula that has resulted in Eierman Elite qualifying 21 of its 28 wrestlers for the state competition this weekend, beginning today at the Hearnes Center.

He must be doing something right. Eierman Elite took home a state title in 2005-06, its first year of competition.

"There’s a connection I have with" the kids, Eierman says. "I’m just blown away by their work ethic. It’s not ’cause they’re gifted or lucky. The only reason why they have success is because they come in the practice room and pay the price."

Eierman Elite is one of three local youth wrestling clubs that will be competing at the Missouri State Folkstyle Championships, which will feature four age groups ranging from 8-and-under to 14-and-under. Action begins at 9 a.m. today at the Hearnes Center and will run through tomorrow, with finals slated to begin at 3 p.m.

Area coaches said the Missouri wrestling team, which recently completed its most successful season in history with a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships in Auburn Hills, Mich., helps increase exposure to their sport and their clubs.

"Any success at the college level is going to trickle down to the community," said Rock Bridge Wrestling Club Coach Kerry Lewis, whose feeder program qualified two athletes for state, "because of the increased interest in going and watching big-name schools like Iowa and Oklahoma State. And Missouri being able to compete with them is a real advantage in recruiting kids locally."

If nothing else, the success of the Tigers’ program this year put the sport in the spotlight. MU set attendance records at nearly every home dual this season. A common sight at the matches would be a mother and father surrounded by three or four children. Some of the kids were allowed to compete in matches before Missouri meets this season. After each home dual, fans would be able to come down and get their favorite wrestlers’ autographs on posters or T-shirts.

"It’s always a positive for the little kids to have" wrestlers "to look up to right in their home town," Eierman said. "That you have the No. 1-ranked college team in the country" in Columbia "is going to motivate them" and indicate "that you’re in the right place and doing the right things."

MU is intricately connected with the third and largest youth clubs in the area. Coach Brian Smith’s sons Quinn, 12, and Braden, 6, are in the Columbia Kids Wrestling Club. Smith allows the club to use the Tigers’ facilities and frequently drops by to give instruction. Tigers such as Askren would often demonstrate moves for the kids.

"Brian has been really good about reaching out to teams across the state," Columbia Coach Mike Flanagan said. "That just continues to promote the sport and the university."

Columbia qualified 11 of its 55 wrestlers for state. Flanagan says the one-class system in place at Kids State promotes fierce competition. Many quality wrestlers, such as Hickman’s two-time state champion K.C. Pescaglia, won high school state titles without winning a "Kids State" championship.

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Reach William Hupp at sports@tribmail.com.

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