Date: Fri 02-Apr-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: KIMH

Quick Words:

Steve-Selezan

Full Text:

Steve Selezan Has Eyes On Junior National Wrestling Tournament

BY KIM J. HARMON

One doesn't often thing of spending a summer vacation in Fargo, North Dakota,

but Steve Selezan of Newtown High School hopes to be heading there in July.

That's where the Junior National Wrestling Tournament will be held and Steve,

16, a new member of the Cadet National Team, can find a spot in that

tournament if he can come up with the $2,000 or so to make it there.

Last year, as a freshman, Steve split his time on the NHS wrestling team

between the junior varsity and varsity squads. But as a sophomore, he emerged

as one of the Nighthawks' solid links and, at 140 pounds, amassed a record of

28-5 while finishing second in the South-West Conference.

Not long ago, Steve went to a wrestling camp at Sacred Heart University and

prepared for the Berlin Invitational Wrestling Tournament, where he performed

quite well -- coming in first in his weight class -- and qualified for the

Cadet National Team.

The Cadet Team will travel to New York, Pennsylvania and even Montreal for

tournaments. But from July 15 to July 24 is the big one -- the Junior

Nationals in Fargo.

Steve has been busy since the high school wrestling season ended. He also

wrestled in the Mid-Atlantic Tournament and finished second and plans on

heading to the Regional Folk Style Tournament in Pennsylvania next weekend,

April 10 and 11.

But he is a new place -- as far as his weight is concerned. Since he stopped

sucking weight, Steve now tips the scales at 152 pounds. But that's okay,

because that's where he wants to be.

"I hope to wrestle 152 next year," he said. "I'm getting used to it now,

wrestling the bigger kids."

Even with a record of 28-5 in the 1998-99 season, Steve still feels there was

room for improvement.

"I had hoped to do better than I did," he said, "at least at the end of the

year. Before the season I went to a lot of camps and practiced a lot with

James, and he's one of the best."

But 28 wins is nothing to sneeze at. Only a junior next year, the Nighthawks

will be looking towards Steve to lead them to the next century.

Right now, though, he is concerned with getting himself ready for a busy

summer. He lifts for two hours a day and heads down to Sacred Heart three

times a week for two hours of practice with the Cadet Team.

Between now and July, he will be spending most of his weekends either

wrestling with the Cadet Team or on his own and come July he should be plenty

ready to perform and help the Connecticut team continue to improve its showing

at the Junior Nationals.

If he can get there.

Anyone wishing to help sponsor Steve Selezan in his trip to the Junior

Nationals, please call him at 270-7487.