Two Spartans train with members of 2004 Olympic freestyle team in area wrestling camp
By Michael Beaven
Springfield wrestling coach Dick Sabol recently encouraged his team to take advantage of a chance to attend a five-day camp to meet the 2004 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team at Cleveland State University.
Two Spartans took Sabol’s advice and traveled to the Wolstein Center to take part in Brian Keck’s 2005 Cleveland State Wrestling Camp.
Juniors Steve Honeck and Seth Craft learned technique and stances from seven of the best American wrestlers.
Honeck and Craft were two of the 170 boys and girls ranging in age from 10 to 18 who took part in the camp.
The featured speaker and instructor was Olympic gold-medalist Cael Sanderson. Sanderson won the gold in the 185-pound weight class in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Sanderson, a four-time state champion at Wasatch High School in Utah, compiled a 159-0 record at Iowa State University and won four NCAA championships. He won one title in the 197-pound class and three in the 184-pound class.
Sanderson led the kids in a series of drills on June 29. After the workout on the mats, he shook hands, signed autographs and took pictures with the children.
For Sanderson, it was all about teaching and having fun.
“We’re out here having a good time,” Sanderson said. “You try and let them enjoy this sport. Promoting the sport and getting these kids excited about wrestling is what it’s all about.”
Honeck and Craft found the experience very helpful and a lot of fun.
“I wasn’t that nervous (to meet Sanderson),” Honeck said. “I thought it was a really cool idea and I was excited to attend.”
Honeck was a district qualifier in the winter in the 103-weight class and had a 15-14 record. He was also thrilled to meet the other wrestlers who spoke on the other days.
“My two favorites were Eric (Guerrero) and Cael. They showed us a lot of helpful moves and stuff that I can use,” Honeck said. “Eric showed me some throw-bys and Cael showed setups for a low single.”
Craft said he learned a lot from Sanderson, Guerrero, Jamill Kelly and Stephen Abas.
“Cael showed us setups and ankle picks, which was sort of a review of what we already knew,” Craft said.
“Eric displayed mostly defensive moves and Stephen helped with different offensive moves. Jamill definitely helped by showing some throws.”
Kelly and Abas each captured Olympic silver medals. Joe Williams, Kerry McCoy and Daniel Cormier were the other Olympians who trained the kids.
This was the second camp organized by CSU assistant coach Brian Keck, a 2003 freestyle Pan American Champion and a member of the 2003 USA national freestyle team.
“This has never been done before, ever in the history of wrestling camps,” Brian Keck said, referring to the participation of the entire Olympic team.
“I built friendships with these guys and got to know them and they wanted to help out with the camp. The kids are going through drills and sharpening up on their skills.”
Honeck and Craft were impressed by the availability of the wrestlers.
“I didn’t know how nice they would be, but they were not cocky,” Honeck said. “They are good people who were there to help us learn.”
CSU head coach Jack Effner was very pleased with the camp and how Keck was able to bring in a star-studded cast.
“I am ecstatic about this event for many reasons,” Effner said. “This is a rich area for wrestling and camps like this keep making it better. We are exposing the kids to the best by bringing the best here.”
Sabol liked what he heard from Honeck and Craft and is confident that they improved from the experience.
“Steve said he enjoyed his time up there and Seth told me he got a lot of it,” Sabol said. “I’m glad they went.”
Sabol is hopeful that Springfield will return to the days when state champions were produced.
Anthony Gary, Bo James, David Dies, Jordan LaFollette and Chad Strittmatter won state titles. David Bolyard, Barry Saley and Tony Lovell also were successful Spartans in the past.
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