Smoke Signals
Tribal Kids Making All The Right Moves
Young Tribal wrestlers Kalim Mercier, and Caden Leno along with Middle Schoolers Daniel Scott, Brandon and
Denny Linton Jr. are keeping fit and growing up strong.
8 APRIL 1, 2004
0
I
i
o
a
a.
Daniel Scott
By Ron Karten
Grand Ronde Tribal member and
sixth grader Daniel Scott has a
sharp eye and a wiry build, and the
70-pounder is showing his stuff on
the matt.
With cousins like middle school
Tribal members and international
wrestling champions Brandon and
Denny Linton Junior, it is maybe
not surprising that Daniel would be
taking down opponents all across
the state. He has been doing it since
kindergarten.
At this year's Oregon Wrestling
Classics held in Redmond, Scott took
first. In six matches, Scott chalked
up four pins and two victories on
points.
"lie had an ear to ear grin all
day," said his mom, Tribal member
Wendy Scott.
The Linton boys, who have fin
ished first and second respectively
at the nationals in Nevada, took
firsts in the USA league statewide
tournament held in Clackamas this
year, and thirds in the middle
school state tournament held at
Woodburn High School this year,
according to their dad, Tribal mem
ber Denny Linton.
"They knew the kids were tough
that beat them," said Linton. Two
had come down from higher weight
classes.
Newcomers to the sport this year
are first and second grade Tribal
youth Caden Leno and Kalim
"What I really appreciated was
his dedication," said John Mercier
of his son. "He rarely missed a
practice or a tournament."
Caden Leno soared to second
place at state.
For Caden's dad, Tribal member
Chris Leno, who also is Director of
Operations for the Tribe, the ben
efits came in a number of forms.
"The progression he went through,
from winning his first 10 matches,
and then he lost a couple and he
saw he had to work harder and he
did," said Leno. "And the proof
was, at the end of the season, he
was wrestling a lot better."
"For him," said Leno, "the inter-
V
1 A
J
Caden Leno headlocks his opponent
Mercier, respectively, who shared
the Most Improved Wrestler award
for the Bulldog Mat Club in
Willamina.
Mercier took firsts at Mat Club
tournaments at Canby and Banks,
and finished in the top three almost
every place he wrestled, according
to his dad John Mercier, who also
is Director of Public Works for the
Tribe.
action with the other kids (was a
big thing). Even though wrestling
is one-on-one, you can really tell
that they enjoyed their teammates
and being part of a bigger team.
"We're just proud of him, the com
mitment he made. There were
three practices a week and a tour
nament every weekend and that's
a lot for a six-year-old, but he never
complained."
M
rw.
f
o
o
Kalim Mercier
"I like to see parents' involvement
with their kids," said John Mercier.
Particularly from his own point of
view, he said, "It's really reward
ing." Wendy Scott "had no idea that
(her son, Daniel) would be good at
it. I just knew he was a total boy
with all this energy."
At one point, this well-trained,
young wrestler did 100 push-ups
for a piece of pizza.
Wrestling is even helping the
boys in school. Asked about lessons
he's learned on the matt, Daniel
Scott said, "Not to get in trouble and
keep my grades up."
1 1 1F")1 . ' f t
-J; -Trl'- ' f
""IWMMMMMWM
p.' IP
Tribal youth participated in the Willamina and
Sheridan Youth Basketball League. At left is Grand
Ronde Tribal member Erika Merrill (Right, hands up)
and at right is Tribal member Halona Butler (black
shirt) . Below is community member Sherae
Cumberland.
Photos by
Brent Merrill
W
1 Ji
IMIWIIBW IIIHI PJ pMlll limn IIW P IIBWIWII1BM1MIIIWHII
V ' "' - ' - . -. -
! - t 4 1 ...
y . r w !', . . .. ,
5 . " 1 " . ' f
... A '
. - - -'-'