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Robb Credits Team, Coaches For Record

He was about eight years old when he and a couple of boys were just playing in the backyard, wrestling with what little they knew of the sport then. Young, some might say, but it was the start of club wrestling, then varsity competing and of an experience that has defined a second family and recognition because of his support.

Derek Robb says he started wrestling when he was in third grade. It started as an opportunity, a flyer sent home from school on a Friday. Curiosity lead to applying to the organization, which then developed into an experience that has spanned nearly a decade.

"I just wanted to try something else," Robb said of the initial wrestling opportunity.

In addition to learning how to wrestle, he recalls the fun of the games after practice. They were mental games, team building and physical games. But as much as anything, they were fun and united the boys in the club.

While someone who reviews his record may think he is a natural, Robb will quickly disagree citing how much work his coach put into teaching him the techniques of proper wrestling.

His federation coach, Steven Vach, worked with him to develop the skills necessary to be who he is now.

"He saw something in me and just working with me," he said.

Being part of a team is also what Robb to staying with the sport.

"There's nothing like a wrestling family," he said. "As a team, we just have a lot of fun together."

He said while wrestling is about personal performance, it is still a team sport. Sometimes, it is the teammates around you that improve your performance, according to Robb.

"In reality, you still have those others cheering you on. You're alone, but you really aren't," he said.

It is the best of both, pushing yourself individually toward new goals while being part of a team that keeps lifting its members.

Robb's team support has paid off. In his high school career, he has had three state championships, and just one loss, in his sophomore year. As a freshman, he wrestled in the 138-lb class and in his sophomore and junior years he was in the 152-lb class. He has a record of 141 wins and one loss.

One part of wrestling he enjoys is the competition is generally kept to the mat; outside of the competitive circle, wrestlers become friends and support each other's goals.

 

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