Iredell Rattlers shake grappling ranks

Chalk one up for the up-and-coming youth. Last month, the area-based Iredell Rattlers Wrestling Club did what all other Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Wrestling Teams have failed to do for the past eight years—beat the state's perennial powerhouse Police Athletic League Pitbulls from Charlotte.

In just their second year as a recognized AAU Club, the Rattlers claimed first place in the AAU State Wrestling Tournament in the Tot-Schoolboy Divisions and second place in the Cadet-Open Divisions—propelling them to first place as the overall North Carolina AAU State Champions.

The Pitbulls' reign over AAU Wrestling, the largest and most competitive level of youth wrestling in North Carolina, came to an abrupt and somewhat startling end as 60 Rattlers marched into Greensboro Coliseum with their hearts set on making history.

The Iredell Rattlers Wrestling Club is made up of mostly Iredell County residents, making their recent victory an impressive accomplishment. The Rattlers train at First Baptist Church in Statesville and have been adopted by its REACH Sports Ministry.

The Rattlers had 11 state champions, 10 runner-ups, 10 third place finishes, nine fourth place finishers, one fifth place finisher and one sixth place finisher.

Since the inception of the Rattlers, there has been a revival of wrestling in Iredell County and a coming together of athletes, coaches and parents from all over the County. There are youngsters as young as three years of age and as old as 18 that compete for the Rattlers. Every high school in Iredell County will have future wrestlers that have come through the Rattlers program.

The success of the Rattlers is attributed to old-fashioned hard work and dedication.

"I am confident that our athletes work harder than any other athletes in Iredell County at their craft," praised Michael Van Buren, one of the Rattlers' many coaches. "It is not uncommon to see our youngest athletes outwork older athletes who are new to our program. Our philosophy is to teach young athletes to take practice serious and give 100 percent 100 percent of the time.

"We also weave into our philosophy and emphasis on strong leadership, moral values and the importance of being a role model," added Michael Van Buren

The Rattlers started approximately four years ago when four wrestlers from the Statesville Recreation and Parks Department wanted to do more than recreation and parks wrestling. This was the inspiration behind the Rattlers and the quest to compete at the highest level of wrestling offered in North Carolina.

This year, athletes from the Mooresville Recreation and Parks Department, who shared the same vision as the original four, joined the Rattlers. The Rattlers are not exclusively an AAU Club. They are also members of USA Wrestling and compete at independent tournaments as well.

Since the beginning of the Rattlers, the club has grown to well over 100 athletes and coaches.

We started with a pre-K through 6th grade group last year,' revealed Van Buren, "expanded in the beginning of this season to a junior high group and then again expanded mid season and added a high school group. We now have several athletes representing the State of North Carolina at both the junior high and elementary levels."

There are six junior high athletes and 12 elementary athletes who made the North Carolina Dual Team, made up of the best wrestlers in North Carolina, who will compete as one team against the best wrestler from other states that present teams in a dual meet format. The junior high athletes will travel to Iowa and the elementary athletes will travel to Tennessee.

"We are very proud of our kids," praised Van Buren, "and I am very proud of the parents, coaches, First Baptist Church and community members that made this year memorable," Van Buren said.

Anyone interested in the Iredell Rattlers Wrestling Club can contact Van Buren at 704-450-8332.