Bluejay Pride sending five to compete in OKWA championships

The past two weekends have been hectic, but successful for the Guthrie Bluejay Pride wrestlers.

First, the 5 Novice (beginner) wrestlers attended the Oklaoma Kids Wrestling Association (OKWA) Novice State Championships in Tulsa on January 27 in an attempt to become a State Champion with other wrestlers of their experience level. The event resulted with all five placing, including Dredyn Eaton (second), Tyrin Eaton (first), Ashleigh Bounds (seventh), Nathan Miller (third) and Klyndon Brinsfield (fourth).

This past weekend, six of the wrestlers attended the OKWA Southern Region Championships in an effort to place in the top six to qualify for the OKWA State Championships. The five to advance, include Dredyn Eaton (first), Eli Kirk (first), Allyn Orndorff (first), Nathan Miller (fourth) and Klyndon Brinsfield (fifth).

On February 9 and 10, the five individuals will compete for a state championship at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds in their division and weight. In addition, Ashleigh Bounds will compete in the OKWA Girls’ State Championships.

According to Director Brian Orndorff, the Bluejay Pride program, although based around wrestling and martial arts, is about much more than just the sport of wrestling. These individuals receive strength training, flexibility training, speed training, agility training, overall athletic training, health and fitness training, nutrition training and life skills training as well. The goal is to not just develop wrestlers, it is to develop strong, independent, successful young men and women in athletics, health, the schools and in life.

One example is 14-year-old Klyndon Brinsfield.

Brinsfield’s most remarkable feat this year is not a win on the wrestling mat, but the fact that he began the season weighing 200 pounds, with very little strength. He has become strong enough to be moderately competitive, and is currently weighing around 165 lbs. He has learned to eat and live healthier and to exercise daily.

Immediately following the state tournament, the team will continue their training and competing in folkstyle wrestling twice per week, but will also begin training and competing in Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling.

Bluejay Pride has designated seven national tournaments to attend throughout the spring and summer, traveling to Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Michigan and Iowa.