Youth wrestler places sixth in Vegas tourney

Federation Wrestling has been in Sidney for several years and for the past eight years Steven Vach has been head coach of the K-12 wrestlers.

Wrestling being a part of his own background while school has allowed Vachto be able recognize talent, something he said he has a lot of in the kids he coaches.

One of these talented wrestlers Vach said he’s had the pleasure to coach since he was in first grade is Trey Arellano.

“He’s one of many kids in there that has the ability and talent, there are a lot of kids in that room (wrestling room) that have the ability and talent, but he is in the Rocky Mountain National Series and pursuing it pretty hard,” Vach said.

Recently Arellano had his chance to prove his talent by wrestling at the Las Vegas Open in Las Vegas, NV.

A large national tournament the 11-year-old Sidney youth placed sixth.

“You don’t have to have a U.S.A. card or anything to wrestle in it, it’s an open tournament, even old guys like me can wrestle in it if we wanted to,” Vach said. “It’s a big time tournament. There is probably between 1,500 to 1,600 competitors there that are part of the Rocky Mountain National Series.”

The series has four tournaments, according to Vach, that“helps get the kids’ names out there” and if three are won by a wrestler “you become a Triple Crown winner and that is huge honor!”

Vach added that Arellano is in the process of pursuing those specific tournaments.

Arellano was ready early in the season to wrestle at such a tournament.

“We have three kids that wrestle in what is called the Metro League in Sterling,” Vach explained how Arellano came about going to Las Vegas.

“Trey wanted to get more mat time, he was in shape and wanted to do it so he and Travis (Arellano’s father) caught a flight and went and checked it out.”

“He (Arellano) weighted in on the 14th and wrestled on the 15th,” Vach said.

“He weighed in at 70 lbs. Just a little guy, but what was cool about it is he wrestled a guy that was a three time national champion in the first round.

“He only ended up losing to the guy 6-1. Trey ended up getting caught and pinned later in the match but it was a 6-1 match, giving himself an opportunity to win. Which is all you can do when wrestling a kid like that,” Vach speaking to the title Arellano’s opponent held.

“At a tournament like Vegas, you’re going to get the best Calif. has to offer, the best Wash. has to offer, and it’s a huge honor that he went out there and got sixth. It’s awesome,” Vach said.

During last year’s regular season for Federation Wrestling Vach said he holds his own and places within the top 10 and is “one of the leaders up there,” speaking again of the wrestling room.

“He is a sixth grader, one of the better kids up there.”

Despite moving on to middle school this next year, Vach will still be able to coach Arellano, “The junior high wrestles through Dec. and I kick off in Dec. and go through March.”

Something that Vach takes obvious pride in.

The whole of the team is gearing up for several tournaments for their 12/13 season, looking to bring home as many placements as they had last year of not more, Vach said.

Last year Vach said, “we took home 15 medals,” from the Midwest Nationals.

So with all the talent he holds this year, many of the wrestlers returning year after year, he is confident in having yet another great season.