Without being asked, the young grapplers zipped their lips and listened to their coaches Wednesday morning during the first day of the Pioneer Wrestling Club Camp at Fort Calhoun High School.
Hometown standouts Ely and Lance Olberding, Charlie Powers of Blair and Bennington's Kael Lauridsen led campers through warmups, drills and demonstrations with their pupils' full attention.
“Everybody's on their journey,” said Powers when asked about the experience. “Some are further. Some are not so far, but you can help carry them through.”
The now-former Blair Bear's own destination is Central Missouri and his college career this fall.
“It's all about the journey and some of it starts at these smaller camps,” the 2022 state champ said.
The Olberding brothers, who will be seniors next school year, had experience working with many of the kids hitting the orange mats Wednesday.
“I love giving back to these kids,” Lance said. “They support us all of the time.”
The youngsters show up and cheer at duals, and swing by after school practices from time-to-time.
“I think it's awesome that they're looking up to us and trusting us, and passing on our knowledge,” Ely noted. “Lance and I, we want to set our mark here and we want them to strive. Beat us. Double our records.”
“I hope they're better than me and Ely,” Lance added. “We're just here to build wrestling for everybody.”
It starts with work on the mat and Lauridsen knows it well. The three-time state champion Badger, who just completed his junior season and committed to Nebraska earlier this year, was happy to lend a hand during camp.
“Obviously, these kids want to get better and that's what this sport's all about,” he said. “It's all about getting in the room, putting in the time, putting in the work and getting better.”
With such young students, though, more has to be done to teach wrestling technique effectively.
“Lead by example and make it fun,” Lance Olberding said of his strategy. “These little kids, they're here to have fun. It doesn't need to be too serious right now.”
Fun lessons can lead to longterm success, though.
“If you show them a really sick move that sticks with them, and you watch them a few years down the line and they do it ...” Powers said, pausing. “You can be, like, 'I showed him that.'”
Ely Olberding looks forward to that very opportunity.
“I can't wait to see what the future holds for them,” he said.
Ultimately, the Olberdings, Powers and Lauridsen could have potential helped a future state champ on their journey during the two-day Pioneer Wrestling Club Camp.
“I love spending time in the wrestling room,” Lauridsen said. “Probably my second home, I consider it. It's always a blessing to be here.”
