Sammy DeLaPena squares off against an opponent during the Ohio Tournament of Champions Wrestling Tournament. DeLaPena, a second-grader at Hopkins Elementary, finished first place in the tournament.

Don’t let his size fool you.

Sammy DeLaPena, an honor-roll student at Hopkins Elementary, may look like the average second grader, but he has proved time and again that he can wrestle with the best. On April 26, DeLaPena participated in the Ohio Tournament of Champions Wrestling Tournament, earning a first-place finish.

“He’s an ancient warrior, there’s no doubt about that,” says Paul Turley, coach of the Dale Wrestling Club and Virginia Team Predator, both of which DeLaPena wrestles on. “Some kids just have it, and Sammy is one of those; big matches and pain don’t seem to faze him. He had a perfect tournament.”

With 2,374 participants from across the U.S., the Ohio tournament is the world’s largest one-day wrestling tournament. Facing a 40-wrestler bracket, DeLaPena faced off against six other wrestlers before easily winning the championship round, 8-2.

“Sammy had a tough semifinals match, but he broke through and won it pretty handily,” says Turley.

While this is a big accomplishment for any wrestler, it’s nothing new for DeLaPena. This year alone, the eight- year-old was the VAC and AAU Virginia State Champion, won the Young Guns Tournament in Pennsylvania, won Wrestlefest and placed second at Cliff Keen Eastern World Tournament.

“It is a great feeling to see Sam doing so well and he is becoming such a fine young man,” says Diann DeLaPena, Sammy’s mother. “I can’t take any credit for this; it has all been his coaches. Paul, in particular, has been great and has taught the boys more than just about wrestling. He is a very lucky kid.”

Diann DeLaPena first discovered youth wrestling three years ago, having it recommended to her by a friend. After visiting the Dale Wrestling Club, she signed up Sammy and his nine-year-old brother Nick for the sport.

“Youth wrestling is a really big sport and I have never heard of it before. I was amazed at how big it was,” says DeLaPena. “Both boys swim for Beulah and play football for Chester, but they love wrestling the most.”

Although most of Sammy’s success has come from his own dedication to the sport, it doesn’t hurt having an older brother who also wrestles.

“Having a practice partner at home really helps,” says DeLaPena. “Sam is lucky to have Nick to wrestle with because it makes him a better wrestler. They wrestle every day.”

Sammy wasn’t the only member of the Predator team to bring home a medal from the tournament. Of the 15 wrestlers who participated, eight placed in the event. However, DeLaPena’s accomplishment was big for him and his coach.

“Sammy is my first champion,” says Turley. “I’ve never won the championship with any of my other kids, so this is good for us both.”

Though the Predator wrestling season is just about over, Turley sees no end in sight for DeLaPena’s successes.

“He could be a high school, college or Olympic wrestler if he sticks with it. He is a great student, so hopefully he will stick with wrestling even in college,” says Turley. “You have to put in the effort to get something out of wrestling and Sammy puts in the effort. The sky is the limit.”

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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