Young wrestler has what it takes to compete

He may be small, he may be young but don't mess with him.

He can take you down.

Ten-year-old Dylan Duncan has become quite a phenomenon in the wrestling world. Dylan recently won at 52 pounds at the Cliff Keen Tulsa Nationals tournament. He also won in December at the Brute Dixie National Championship in Atlanta.

"I started wrestling three years ago," he said. "Some of my friends and I decided to try it. I really liked it."

He started with the local wrestling club, the Pinners, and then started working with Overtime Wrestling in Naperville. He also has his own personal mentor in his dad, John Duncan, who was a competitive wrestler and earned a wrestling scholarship to Ball State.

Dylan's grandfather was also a wrestler. I guess you could say that it's all in the family.

"My dad and I often go over the matches in the car when we are heading home," Dylan said. "We talk about things I need to watch out for the next time I wrestle."

The fourth-grader at St.Rita of Cascia School in Aurora is a normal kid. He likes to play video games and hang out with his friends. He also loves wrestling.

As a mom who spent some time mat side, I know that wrestling is not an easy sport. It takes strength and it takes guts.

But it is a fair sport, with wrestlers competing by weight. Each wrestler is going up against someone his own size.

The good wrestlers are the ones who focus and listen. Dylan Duncan absorbs what he learns and applies it to his sport.

He is smart and quick to explain things to me, like take downs and pinning opponents. He tells me that he enjoys both freestyle and folk style competitions. He doesn't gloat over his wins, but instead tells me how much he enjoys meeting other wrestlers from other states.

Although he has a case filled with ribbons, plaques and trophies, he admits that he didn't place at Folk Style Nationals last year. But that doesn't deter him from competing this year. He is looking forward to the competition coming soon in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Dylan said he isn't the type of athlete who is good at all sports.

"Most sports I'm not good at," he said. "Like hitting a ball."

He doesn't have to be good at other sports. He has wrestling.

It isn't easy for the young student. Since he has practice after school each day, he has to get up early to do his homework. He loves to read, and the early mornings are worth it as longs as he gets to wrestle.

Although he tries to pin most of his opponents, he doesn't do that with his friends.

"My friends are all pretty good," he said. "I beat them on points."

Wrestling is not a sport for weak mothers, either. It's tough seeing someone twist your son into a pretzel. Randa Duncan said it can be grueling, but she is in her son's corner all the way.

"He works hard and he loves it," she said. "It's great sport for him."

Dylan Duncan. Remember the name. I have a feeling it will be appearing in sports pages for years to come.