The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Like father, like son
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: July 31, 2008
Throughout the years, there have been many famous father-son duos.
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In politics, Presidents George Bush and son George W. Bush come to mind.
Kirk Douglas and Michael Douglas are well-known father-son actors in Hollywood.
In sports, Bobby Bonds and Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. are father-son standouts in baseball. In football, Archie Manning and sons Peyton and Eli have become famous, while in auto racing, Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are legendary.
Locally, there's an accomplished father-son twosome slowly, but surely, making a name for themselves on wrestling mats throughout the state. Dexter's Larry Gotcher Sr. and Larry Gotcher Jr. are pinning down foes and turning heads with their grappling exploits.
Larry Sr., a former two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Michigan (1988 and 1989), qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984, '88, '92 and '96. A Wolverine captain his senior year, he was Big Ten champion at 142 pounds. Prior to attending Michigan, Larry Sr. was a national champion prep wrestler, finishing his high school career with an overall record of 92-2, with 82 pins.
For his efforts, Larry Sr. was recently inducted into the state of Washington Athletic Hall of Fame.
Following in his father's footsteps is Larry Jr. This past season, he captured a youth wrestling state championship in the 11- through 12-year-old 65-pound weight class. He placed ninth at the youth wrestling national meet and second overall at the Midwest regional meet.
While winning a state title and finishing ninth in the nation is impressive, what's even more remarkable is the fact Larry Jr. is only 10-years-old.
"I started wrestling when I was five years-old," said Larry Jr., a soon-to-be sixth-grader at Dexter's Creekside Intermediate School. "I like wrestling older kids. It makes me better."
Also making him better is workouts with dad Larry Sr.
"He's a good coach," said Larry Jr., who also plays baseball for the Rockies in Dexter's Little League and is a green belt in Tae Kwon Do. "I've learned to be tough and strong."
Larry Sr. said it's difficult watching his son compete on the mat.
"It's probably harder than wrestling myself," he said. "I can't sleep before he wrestles. I find myself wrestling more on the side of the mat than he does. If I see him doing something wrong, I want to help him, but I can't."
Larry Sr. said he would never pressure his son to follow in his wrestling footsteps.
"I want him to do it because he loves it," he said. "I want him to do something that he likes. I love watching him wrestle. I'm happy that he's interested in it."
Larry Jr., who had a 19-3 freestyle record last season as a member of the Dexter Wrestling Club, said he enjoys all aspects of wrestling, but that one area stands out.
"Pinning people is my favorite part of wrestling," he said. "I hope to be a national champion next year."
Last season, Larry Jr. recorded 18 pins.
"Wrestling has brought everything to me," said Larry Sr., 41, and married with three children. "It's taught me focus and discipline. There's no tougher sport. If you can be a great wrestler, you can be great at anything."
The father-son duo have set high goals for themselves.
"We both want to be national champions," Larry Sr. said. "I want to win the 35 and over Masters national (wrestling) championship. I'm currently training for an NHB (No Holds Barred) fight in Japan. I'm under contract for two fights down there."
Larry Jr. also has national championship aspirations.
"I want to win the triple crown," he said, regarding capturing national and state wrestling titles in Greco-Roman, folkstyle and freestyle."
In the meantime, both Larry Sr. and Larry Jr. will continue tearing up the local wrestling scene.
"We've already won two tournaments," Larry Sr. said. "We both won tournaments in Stockbridge and in Springport. I love to see my son do well. We're having fun together."
William Shakespeare once said, 'It is a wise father that knows his own child.'
If that's true, then Dexter's Larry Sr. is a wise man, indeed.
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