Head Coach Ray Bedford has had a busy new year.
After arriving at the beginning of the semester from Plano Senior High School, Bedford has spent his time recruiting, securing a venue for matches, and answering questions about the new program.
“Wrestling obviously comes with its own set of rules and regulations, it’s a sport that not a lot of people know about,” Bedford said.
“The three main styles of wrestling are Greco-Roman, Folkstyle, and Freestyle,” Bedford said. “At the collegiate level, Men’s teams use Folkstyle and Women’s teams use Freestyle.”
Greco-Roman is the Olympic style and utilized by the men’s and women’s team during the off-season for training, it differs from Freestyle and Folkstyle in that a wrestler cannot attack using the legs, according to Bedford.
“Greco-Roman allows the wrestlers to compete at the highest levels,” Bedford said. “Pan-Am, World Team, and Olympic.”
Matches, or Duels are held in a team vs. team format, Freestyle and Folkstyle differ in that moves are worth different points, according to Bedford.
“Men’s Folkstyle matches are three periods with the first being three minutes long, and the second and third both being two minutes long, with a sudden death overtime if necessary,” Bedford said. “Women’s Freestyle matches are two, three-minute halves with no overtime.”
Wesleyan’s newest athletes will not have an offseason, while during the school year they will compete in collegiate matches, the summer and winter breaks can be occupied with national team events and private club matches, according to Bedford.
Bedford’s advice to anyone interested in wrestling is to just do it.
“I have started wrestlers as young as four years old I have trained all kinds [at my private gym] from people who want an edge in self-defense, to mixed martial arts fighters looking to improve their wrestling technique,” Bedford said. “Wrestling is not for everyone, but for those that enjoy it, it’s a lifelong love affair.”
Thomas T. Moore 