by Bea Peterson
Mike LaPorte, assisted by Chris Marsh and a big crew of volunteers, had a busy weekend on July 28 and 29. They hosted the third Annual Hoosick Youth Wrestling Tournament. Twelve teams of 16 youngsters each, ages 14 and under competed. The teams participated in eight matches over the two days. [private]”Last year the kids and their families enjoyed the Town pool and some golf,” said LaPorte. This year Saturday’s rain spoiled it for the swimmers and golfers. Otherwise the event was a huge success. One parent from Virginia said the Town skating rink was a perfect site. “There was plenty of fresh air; the temperature was pleasant, and we were out of the rain.”
Six mats were set up in the rink so all 12 teams could wrestle at the same time. Besides the wrestlers there were coaches and parents on the scene. Spectators watched from behind the boards in the outer rink area.
“We had some amazing competition,” said LaPorte. “Three varsity sectional champions got beat!” Several people commented on the caliber of the wrestlers. “Our lowest weight class is 48 pounds,” he said. “I was amazed at how very advanced their training was.” The parents of a South African National Champion youth wrestler who competed told LaPorte they would definitely be back next year.
John Bologna of John’s Sports Supplies was at the rink with many wrestling items for sale. He travels to a dozen or so wrestling tournaments a year. He said the Hoosick Falls event was very competitive and well organized.
Area teams that competed were the Clifton Park Journeymen, the Albany Titans, the Schuylerville Barn Brawlers and, of course, the hosts, the Hoosick Falls Wrestling Club. Other teams came from New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Ohio, Kentucky and California. LaPorte said parents have told him this section of New York State is like paradise to them. Finding accommodations for some families was made easier this year when the Hoosac School graciously opened 66 dorm rooms to them for a nominal fee. Other families stayed in Bennington and the surrounds. Some found themselves as far away as Latham.
Great Referees And Huge Trophies
LaPorte said it’s costly but very important to have top notch referees. High school championship head referee Todd Carey of Salem brings all New York State certified referees with him. “This is serious stuff,” added LaPorte.
Not quite as serious, but just as important, are the trophies. Coaches have told LaPorte they believe the thought of bringing home the seven foot high winner’s trophy inspires their kids to try just a little harder. “Every athlete gets a medal and every team gets a trophy,” said LaPorte. He admits the Hoosick Falls trophy is the largest youth trophy given out. It went home with first place winners, the New Jersey Elite. The Hoosick Falls team placed sixth out of the twelve. LaPorte said New York teams won second, fourth and sixth places.
Eleven year old Matthew LaPorte has a bedroom full of wrestling trophies and medals. “He placed second in the New York State Individual Youth Championships,” said his proud Dad. Matthew wrestles four to five days a week in the winter and a day a week in the summer. Most of his friends are wrestlers, he said, from across the country. He admitted the competition was tough at the local tournament.
It All Comes Back
The two words used most to describe Mike LaPorte are enthusiasm and energy. LaPorte wrestled for HFCS during his high school years. He got back into the sport when Bobby Pine asked him to help out with a clinic. “It all comes back to you,” he said, “like riding a bicycle.” He coaches the school youth team, from kindergarten to grade six. High school wrestling coach Landon Nelson works with the more advanced kids, said LaPorte.
Ultimate sports, said LaPorte, have brought a new interest in wrestling. “Last year when the wrestling season started 63 kids showed up!” Practice begins the first Monday the students are back in school in January.
Wrestlers from Drexel University will be coming to HFCS in late October for a workshop. If it is anything like previous workshops, it will draw a large crowd.
Club Wrestling
LaPorte is the driving force in the Hoosick Falls Wrestling Club, physically and literally. He drives his team to matches in a fixed up limousine. “The kids love it,” he said. Again this year he is taking a team of 16 wrestlers, grades five through eight to matches in San Francisco (they are flying). “We had great success last year,” he said. He is looking for similar results this year.
Community Support
Events such as the weekend tournament help support the Wrestling Club and its attendance at other tourneys. “Everything we earn we dump back into the program,” said LaPorte. What they earn would be much less without strong community support. “The community really, really went above and beyond,” he said. “The Town was gracious about letting us use the rink and bathroom facilities. Bill Shiland and his crew did a fantastic job of fixing the leaks in the roof. The Youth Football food wagon was unbelievable. Without that, we couldn’t do it. We had an incredible supporting cast.” The Falls Diner provided a lot of the food and Cumberland Farms and Stewart’s supplied drinks. The Hoosick Federal Credit Union donated funds for the trophies.
Supporting Their Own
Vinny Vespa, is a New Jersey Youth Club Wrestler. “He was a healthy kid,” said LaPorte. “Then in February they discovered he had Stage Four Lymphoma.” All the athletes signed a big banner LaPorte had had made. Three of the Clubs, including Hoosick Falls, donated $100 each to Vinny. A collection jar was filled as well. Vinny came to the tournament. He has undergone blood transfusions and chemotherapy. At the tourney’s end wrestlers and their families gathered in a circle around Vinny. LaPorte announced the formation of the Vinny Vespa Award. The Award was presented to Vinny’s younger brother Marco. LaPorte then presented the envelope of money to Vinny and told him to get something for himself with it. “Putting a smile on his face was a special highlight for me; a big part of my day,” said LaPorte.
Mike LaPorte and the Hoosick Falls Wrestling Club are already planning the 2013 tournament. It will be in the same place on July 27 and 28.[/private]