News and Announcements
Buddy Lloyd-Smyrna Little Wrestler Scholarship
Presented on an annual basis to a Smyrna High School graduate that participated in our Little Wrestlers Program.
2013 - Zach Boyles
2012 - Timmy Watts
2011 - David Hershberger
2010 - Brandon Poffenberger
2009 - Donnie Messick
2008 - Justin Collison
2007 - Chris DiMattia
2006 - Michael Gonzon
2005 - Javan Sullivan
2004 - Michael Hartnett
Zane Robinson Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is given to a Smyrna High School graduate that participated in the high school level of wrestling.
2013 - Dakota Dalton
2012 - Chris Berg
2011 - David Hershberger
2010 - Kenny Boyles
2009 - Donnie Messick
35 Years of Wrestling Tradition...
SMYRNA LITTLE WRESTLERS ~ SINCE 1972
Once upon a time, the sport of wresting started in the 9th grade in Smyrna.
That might be hard to imagine for some of the younger members of the Smyrna wrestling program.
Now young athletes have the opportunity to wrestle for 12 seasons by the time they graduate high school. Some top wrestlers travel to tournaments across the country and compete throughout the year, not just in the winter.
Over the past 35 years, Smyrna’s success in the sport has been reinforced by a strong feeder program that began with promise and quickly grew.
The Smyrna Little Wrestlers program, founded in 1972, is still thriving today.
It continues to foster Smyrna’s wrestling tradition and provide kids with life lessons.
Former Little Wrestlers have grown into state champions.
Others have become prominent members of the community.
Some are now coaches in the program, sharing their knowledge with a new generation of Smyrna wrestlers.
Humble beginning, rapid growth
Smyrna Little Wrestlers didn’t begin as the massive feeder program it is today.
In fact, it was originally a recreational program offered through the Town of Smyrna.
Former Smyrna High wrestling coach Buddy Lloyd, who is now assistant superintendent for the Smyrna School District, started the program in 1972 at the suggestion of Conrad Riley, who was a middle school social studies teacher in the district.
Lloyd said that Riley was working with Smyrna Mayor George Wright to develop recreational programs for the town. Riley approached Lloyd with the idea of a youth wrestling program for the kids of Smyrna.
And that’s how it began.
For the first two years, Little Wrestlers was a town program.
It caught on right away, with about 40 wrestlers the first year.
“There was a lot of interest because Smyrna was doing really well at the time – winning conference titles,” Lloyd said. “It was a sport that was catching on and we wanted to continue it.”
The program quickly grew in size, perhaps beyond the town’s the expectations.
After two years, the Little Wrestlers broke away from the town. Lloyd started registration fees so he could give out certificates, trophies and t-shirts to the participants.
By the late 1970s, as many as 140 kids were involved in Smyrna Little Wrestlers.
“It just kept growing and growing,” Lloyd said.
Former wrestling coach Ron Eby served as the referee for the tournament at the end of the program. Eby was also instrumental in adding a middle school program in Smyrna, Lloyd said. Many of the athletes who wrestled under Lloyd in the late 70s and 80s had come up through the feeder program.
In 1982, Smyrna High produced three state champions – Dean Johnson, Lee Pinder and Sebastian Gonzalez. All three had gone through the Little Wrestlers program.
Eventually, Mike Dulin became the head wrestling coach at Smyrna High. He also took the reins of the Little Wrestlers program.
Dulin saw the effects of the feeder program while coaching the high school team.
By the time the kids got to high school, many of them already had several years of wrestling under their belts.
“I would say about 75 percent came through the Little Wrestlers program,” Dulin said.
In the late 80s, some of Lloyd’s former wrestlers got involved and breathed some new life into the feeder program.
Brian Fletcher, Dean Johnson, Mike Campbell and Lee Pinder, who all wrestled together at Smyrna High in the early 80s, came back to help teach aspiring wrestlers.
“They’ve taken the Little Wrestlers program to another level,” Dulin said. “You’d have to look long and hard to find a program better than what we have here.”
Wrestling, four nights a week
Back in the early days, Smyrna Little Wrestlers only met on Saturdays. The program ran for six weeks in January through February.
Now it’s four nights a week, plus weekend tournaments. Wrestlers in grades 5-8 practice on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, grades 1-4 meet.
Little Wrestlers currently runs from the first week in November all the way to March, said Ginger Barkley, on the program’s current coordinators.
Some of the older kids continue even longer by competing in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
The local feeder program also includes a travel team and a Catholic Youth Ministries league for grades 5-8 headed by Andy Gillan.
The Little Wrestlers program was originally for kids in grades 5-7.
Now the program basically starts with first graders and goes up through the eighth grade, incorporating the CYM league.
Barkley said a total of 138 kids are participating in Smyrna Little Wrestlers and CYM this year.
The travel team gives the top wrestlers a chance to compete out of state. The team goes to many tournaments in Maryland, but some of wrestlers travel to events in places like Ohio and Oklahoma.
Barkley remembers watching her brother, Jimmy Ryan, compete in the Smyrna High natatorium back when the program was still pretty new. The building didn’t have heat at that time, she said.
“The facilities are a lot better now,” Barkley said. “I remember it being so cold in there.”
Instruction, competition and life lessons
Lloyd said one of the challenges of running a youth program is finding a balance between making it fun and trying to give the kids a chance to be successful.
It’s important not to drive the kids too hard or put too much pressure on them, he said.
“There’s nothing wrong with a kid saying ‘It’s baseball season, I want to play baseball,’” Lloyd said.
Like other athletic experiences, kids can learn lessons from wrestling that they can apply to their lives outside the sport.
Lloyd said wrestling is a good character builder for kids.
“It’s you. It’s you and another person in front of everybody. You cannot hide. If you make a mistake, everyone sees it,” he said.
You get humbled very quickly, and you always have to bring your “A game,” Lloyd said.
Fletcher said the sport emphasizes the importance of discipline. Wrestlers need to practice hard, eat a healthy diet and maintain their weight level.
“It teaches an excellent work ethic for down the road when they get a job,” Fletcher said.
“Kids see how far they can go with hard work and that ‘never give up’ attitude,” said Dulin.
Barkley said the kids also learn sportsmanship.
“It’s just you, so you can’t blame anyone else if you make a mistake,” she said.
The program’s coordinators wished to thank the people who have donated their time to Little Wrestlers.
“It wouldn’t be possible without all the volunteers and sponsors we’ve had throughout the years,” Barkley said.
Barkley said Kurt Howell and Jody Wilson, put in a lot of time with the program.
Fletcher mentioned all the women involved in the program – wives of coaches and parents and volunteers – who help by organizing tournaments, ordering trophies and t-shirts, and treating the bumps and bruises.
Lloyd encouraged any parents with a wrestling background to stay involved and help out any way they can.
Thirty five years later, Lloyd is proud of the way the Little Wrestlers program has endured over the years.
“I’m very pleased and proud when I go out there and see them practicing,” he said. “I like seeing the guys I coached now going back to coach the kids.”
Article by: Seth Clevenger
Smyrna/Clayton Sun Times
*December 19, 2007
TO PRINT REGISTRATION FORMS, PLEASE GO BACK TO THE MAIN WEB PAGE WWW.SMYRNAWRESTLING.COM AND SCROLL DOWN TOWARDS THE BOTTOM...
* Wrestling Tournaments *
December
Smyrna Little Wrestlers (Tot Division) ** Double Elimination **
@ Smyrna High School ***** Ohio Tournament of Champions Qualifier *****
December
Lil' Buc's Wrestling Tournament
@ Milford High School
December
Indian River Classic (Tot Division) * May need a USA Card
@ Indian River High School
December
CR "Little Rough Rodney" (Tot Division)
@ Caesar Rodney High School
January
Laurel Open (Tot Division & Double Elimination)
@ Laurel High School
January
Seaford Tournament (Tot Division & Double Elimination)
@ Seaford High School
January
Knights Classic (Tot Division & Double Elimination)
@ Sussex Central High School
January
Little Senators (Double Elimination)
@ William Henry Middle School
65 Carver Rd Dover, DE
January
Marvin Hicks Memorial (Tot & Double Elimination)
@ Lake Forest High School
January
DE Kids Scholastic State Championships Split over two days (check your division)
@ Sussex Tech
February
Polytech Novice Tournament (Tot) *Recommended for new wrestlers!
@ Polytech High School
February
Raven Tournament (Tot Division & Double Elimination)
@ St. Thomas More Academy
March
Rough Rodney
@ Caesar Rodney High School
March
Alumni Wrestling Match
@ Smyrna High School
The history of wrestling can be traced back many thousands of years. Although wrestling was one of the original competitions in the Olympic Games, it's first recorded match wasn't until 708 B.C.
One of the best known wrestlers of the 19th century was President Abraham Lincoln. Long, lean and mean "Ol' Honest Abe" was a force to be reconed with!
In 1972 Smyrna High School wrestling coach Buddy Lloyd started the Smyrna Little Wrestlers as a feeder program for the Middle and High schools. Practicing on Saturday mornings in the cold natatorium on mats hard as rocks, the tradition began.
Much has changed since those humble beginnings. The natatorium has been completely renovated, Saturdays are reserved for tournaments, and new faces fill the shoes of coaches. But one thing still remains true... Dedicated volunteers committed to keeping the Smyrna Wrestling Tradition ALIVE!!!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS!
TINEA Corporis
(Ringworm of the Body)
What is Tinea Corporis?
Tinea Corporis or ringworm of the body is a fungal disease of the body skin in general. Ringworm of the scalp is Tinea Capitis. Tinea Pedis is ringworm of the foot or athlete's foot. Tinea cruris is ringworm of the groin and perianal region (males are infected more often than female). Treatment often differs with the different types of fungi and the body regions affected.
Who gets Tinea Corporis or ringworm?
Anyone can get ringworm.
How is Tinea Corporis or ringworm spread?
The fungi that causes the disease occurs worldwide and are transmissible by direct contact with infected humans, lesion of animals or contaminated objects where the fungi persists (e.g. shower stalls, floors or locker room surfaces such as benches or wrestling mats). Fungi will readily enter non-intact skin tht has been broken by friction, abrasion, (e.g. mat or "rug burns" on wrestlers) or excessive perspiration (under arms or ingunial areas), especially when environmental temperatures and humidity are high.
What are the symptoms of Tinea Corporis or ringworm?
The fungal disease appears characteristically as a well-defined reddish round-shaped lesion with a defined border. It may occur as a single lesion or more than one lesion may be present. The lesion(s) may look reddish, be fluid filled and/or may be dry and scaly or moist and crusted. As the circular lesion progresses from the center toward the outer border, the central area often clears and returns to a normal appearance. Itching sensation in or around the lesion border is common.
How soon do symptoms appear?
The first symptoms usually appear from four to ten days after contact with the fungi.
How long can an infected person spread Tinea Corporis or ringworm?
The skin fungus is considered communicable as long as the lesions(s) are present and visable fungus persists on contaminated materials or objects.
Should infected persons be excluded from activites?
While under treatment, infected persons should be excluded from gymnasiums, swimming pools and activities that are likely to lead to contact exposure to others. Infected persons do not need to be excluded from work or classroom settings.
What is the treatment for Tinea Corporis or ringworm?
Thorough bathing with anti-bacterial soap and water, removal of scabs and crusts and application of an effective topical fungicide such as miconazole, ketoconazole, icilopiroxzole, econazole, naftifine, tervinafine, tolnaftate or ciclopiroxzole may suffice. If topical treatments do not work, a doctor my prescribe an anti-fungal pill. A prescribed medication called, griseofulvin given by mouth is effective; oral itraconazole is useful in griceofulvin-resistant ringworm.
How can the spread of Tinea Corporis or ringworm be stopped?
- Report infection of any wrestler or family member to a coach
- While under treatment, infected wrestlers should not participate
- Concurrent disinfection: Effective and daily laundering of clothing
- Investigation of contacts and source of infection; treat infections as indicated
- Launder towels and clothing in hot water and/or fungicidal agents
- Shower/bathe every night and use anti-bacterial soap
- Disinfect wrestling mats daily
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MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
WARNING SIGNS
• Signs of a staph infection resemble a pimple, boil or even spider bite that becomes swollen. Treat the boil with a warm compress, but if it does not go away, or becomes more swollen, see a doctor, especially if it becomes very swollen, red and painful in a relatively short period of time.
• It's best to have the boil lanced so a doctor can get a culture of the wound and identify it.
• Most are treatable with antibiotics, but make sure to take all medicine, even if you are feeling better.
KEYS TO PREVENTION
The steps for preventing a staph infection are similar to another bug prevalent in the winter: influenza. Staph infections are common where people live and work in close environments, such as locker rooms, military boot camps, day care, prisons and gyms.
• Wash hands often with plain soap and water. If not in a place where you can use soap and water, use an alcohol gel sanitizer. Limit use of antibiotic soap.
• Cover cuts and scrapes with bandages until well-healed and don't touch other people's wounds. Clean any wounds with soap and water and use an antibacterial ointment, such as Neosporin, before bandaging.
• Don't share personal items such as razors, towels or equipment. If equipment has to be shared, it should be cleaned with Lysol or a bleach solution in between users. Exercise mats should also be wiped down with a bleach solution.
• Wipe down gym equipment with a disinfectant before using and put a towel between yourself and the equipment, if possible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
• Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Report cuts, scrapes, wounds or skin lesions. Alert coaches, school nurses and wellness center staff to injuries or wounds, especially if health professionals advise exclusion from sports.
• Cover draining wounds with clean, dry bandages. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and MRSA. Follow care instructions. Discard bandages or tape with the regular trash.
• Do not share personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that possibly contacted the infected wound or bandage. Launder soiled sheets, towels and clothes. Dry clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, to kill bacteria.
Source: Delaware Division of Public Health
WHAT IS IT? Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") bacteria often live in the nose or on the skin of healthy people. Staph infections result when staph bacteria penetrate the skin or invade other parts of the body. The staph bacterium resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
WHAT CAN IT DO? Staph infections can cause surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections and pneumonia. These more serious infections occur most frequently among individuals with weakened immune systems who are admitted to hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities where the bacteria is often present.
However, staph and MRSA infections are increasingly occurring outside health care facilities. These have been called community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections and usually cause only pimples and boils in otherwise healthy people.
HOW IS IT TREATED? Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. In the case of pimples or boils, doctors drain them and most people recover within a few days.
Despite MRSA's resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics such as methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin, several other antibiotics can be prescribed.
According to Jeff Hageman, an epidemiologist with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "The infections we hear happening in schools are MRSA skin infections which may not need antibiotics at all."
Source: Delaware Division of Public Health
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