Airmen teach values through wrestling

Staff Sgt. Thomas Rich, 338th Training Squadron, and Bryant Shaw, Ocean Springs head wrestling coach, watch as Second Lt. Josh Larson, 333rd Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., prepares to demonstrate a tight waist arm chop wrestling move on an Ocean Springs High School student Aaron Esters, 17, during a practice session Jan. 24, 2012, at the athletic department warehouse on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, Miss. Rich and Larson are volunteers for the school’s wrestling program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Airmen teach values through wrestling

Second Lt. Josh Larson, 333rd Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., demonstrates how to perform a single leg shot wrestling move on 17-year-old Kyle Morgan, a senior at Ocean Springs High School, Jan. 24, 2012, at the athletic department warehouse on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, Miss. Larson is a volunteer for the O.S. wrestling program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Airmen teach values through wrestling

Staff Sgt. Thomas Rich, 338th Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., coaches Ocean Springs High School students Drew Peterson, 16, and Taylor Mitchell, 15, with a wrestling maneuver called the fireman’s carry during a practice session Jan. 24, 2012, at the athletic department warehouse on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, Miss. Rich is a volunteer for the O.S. wrestling program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler Airmen teach values through wrestling

Published Feb. 1, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- For five days a week between November and February, a sweaty blue mat on the floor of a warehouse in Ocean Springs, Miss., becomes a classroom. This wrestling season, two Keesler Airmen have volunteered to be the teachers.

According to Ocean Springs High School coach Bryant Shaw, the OSHS wrestling team consists of 16 high school students and four middle school students and is the only public school in the entire state with a team. Josh Larson, 333rd Training Squadron, and Tom Rich, 338th TRS, just happen to be stationed here at the closest base to the team.

"We couldn't do it without guys like this who volunteer their time to develop the program," Shaw said.

Larson has been involved with wrestling since he was in seventh grade and helping coach younger wrestlers since he was in high school. Rich has been coaching for seven years. This is his second year coaching for OSHS.

Shaw said that Larson's approach to coaching is to teach the students how to do the different techniques properly, while Rich brings intensity to the mat.

All three coaches agree that wrestling teaches discipline. Not only do wrestlers have to maintain their weight, learn the different moves, show up to practice and keep up with school, but they also have the spotlight on them during weekend matches with other schools.

Shaw said that wrestling teaches teenagers accountability for themselves. The individual nature of the sport forces the athletes to take responsibility for their owntraining and to do what they have to do to be successful.

"Unlike other sports, there's nowhere to hide," Shaw said.

Rich said in addition to discipline, wrestling teaches athletes how to take care of their body and mind. His goal is to be able teach the students even half of what his coach taught him.

Larson said wrestling taught him teamwork, perseverance, courage, how to think under pressure and relentless pursuit of his goals. As a technical training student, Larson doesn't have many opportunities to lead others, but coaching provides him with not only that leadership role, and a new challenge.

"I've really gotten to see the sport from a different side," Larson said.