With no sport to do over the spring, freshman Owen Hardy decided to experiment with folkstyle wrestling. Hardy found out about the club when told about it by his freestyle wrestling coach.

“I do folkstyle wrestling.  I did that in 8th grade and freshman year I did it again because I found it fun. I didn’t have anything to do in the spring, so I did freestyle,” Hardy said.

Folkstyle wrestling is an American-based wrestling format, whereas freestyle is played worldwide. But the differences between the styles expand beyond simply where they originated.

“Freestyle is more around the world, and there are many different ways you can score. It is more based on throwing and more on exposing [the opponent to your] back, and pin them. Folkstyle is a little bit different in the way you play. [Freestyle] a little more risky because you can hurt more on the throws,” Hardy said. 

 Hardy participates in freestyle wrestling through a club run by wrestling coach, Joe Wier, outside of school. 

This is the first year that Hardy has done freestyle wrestling. He practices every Tuesday, at Lafayette, and Thursday at Eureka, with tournaments usually taking place on Saturdays.

So far, Hardy has competed in only one tournament. He finished in 1st because he faced the same opponent three times.

“The way you score is different, so [freestyle] just feels so different. But, it’s pretty fun. I am planning on doing it next year and years after. I haven’t gotten hurt yet and hopefully don’t hurt anyone else either,” Hardy said.