It's all in the family

Josh Webb is one of Murray County High School�s most consistent wrestlers and the junior doesn�t mind sharing his knowledge of the sport with anyone seeking his advice.

That would include his younger sister, Kayla, a sophomore who competes with North Murray�s first-year wrestling program.

Talk about fun-loving competitive skirmishes around the Webb household in Chatsworth.

Josh, obviously, is the most experienced wrestler in the Webb home because he�s been wrestling since his days at Bagley Middle School. As a sophomore at Murray County, Webb won a weight-class title at the Dalton High�s Carpet Classic and finished fourth in the Class 4A West state sectionals.

�He�s done great,� Indians coach Chris Thornbury said. �He�s working hard to qualify for state and I think he can medal. Last year he had a tough draw at sectionals and didn�t qualify. But I�m expecting big things from Josh at the end of this year.�

Josh�s hard work and expertise are what gave Kayla thoughts of becoming a competitive wrestler. In fact, Josh would frequently try some of his moves on his younger sibling, whose only experience in the sport had been working as a team manager for three years at Bagley Middle. She knew the rules of wrestling and the scoring system, but little else, especially when it came to technique on the mat.

�I didn�t know anything at first,� she said. �I was clueless.�

But it didn�t take long for her to catch on, especially with Josh feeding her tips that served to speed up her learning process. Still, when Kayla turned out for North Murray�s first practice ready to wrestle, the reaction from the male wrestlers to her working out was, well, typical.

�It was very awkward,� said Kayla, who like Josh wrestles at 103 and 112 pounds. �No one would talk to me for about the first week and no one wanted to practice with me. I started doing my own thing and they started realizing that I can be just as good as them. So, if they practiced with me they could get good, too.�

At home, there is no hesitation in Josh�s willingness to help Kayla progress in the demanding sport. The wrestling at home helps Josh and Kayla move up the experience scale. While Josh helps Kayla with her moves, the lighter Kayla assists Josh to maintain his diet, an important part of any prep wrestler�s daily routine.

�I help watch him,� Kayla said. �I eat the same thing, I just eat a bigger amount.�

The workouts with big brother already are paying off. Although Kayla is only 5-10 this season, all of her victories have come by pin.

In North Murray�s season-opening tri-match against North Paulding and Ringgold, Kayla surprised everyone, including herself, by beating her North Paulding opponent and taking her second match after bumping up to 112 pounds against Ringgold.

�I was so excited when (the referee) lifted my hand,� Kayla recalled. �The (losing opponent) went off crying. I was surprised. He had me on my back for three seconds and I twisted my neck somehow and flipped him over.�

North Murray coach Larry Cornelius believes Kayla�s background in gymnastics while in middle school transitions nicely to the wrestling mat.

�She�s very flexible,� Cornelius said. �She�s able to get out of moves that most wrestlers aren�t able to. There�s been so many times when a guy�s running a half (nelson) trying to pin her and she just flips out of it. It�s amazing.�

Maybe Kayla�s toughness will spur Josh to greater success in postseason competition. Josh is 41-14 this season and had a second-place finish in the Murray Invitational two weeks ago and a third-place in the Rockmart Invitational.

�I�ve been doing a lot after practice,� Josh said. �I�ve been doing all kinds of different workouts, talking to different coaches, getting opinions on what I need to work on and watching videos of me this year.

�I feel pretty good about this year. I feel more prepared and I feel like I�m ready to do it.�

Murray County and North Murray, who didn�t face each other on the mat this season, will head to their respective area traditional tournaments today � the Indians will compete in the 7-4A event at Allatoona High in Acworth, the Mountaineers at the 6-3A tourney at Heritage-Catoosa High in Ringgold � as wrestlers aim for the top-four finishes that will advance them to sectionals.

Josh is trying to qualify for sectionals at 103 because he feels that gives him the best chance of advancing to state. His effort to make that weight has been encouraged by Kayla, who keeps a close eye on him.

Having enjoyed this season, Kayla expects to compete again next year.

�It�s been an exciting and new experience for me,� she said.

Josh is glad his sister has stuck with wrestling and continues to make progress.

�My first reaction was, �She�s going to get her butt kicked,�� Josh said. �But it turns out she�s the one kicking butt.�

And if Josh makes it to state, you can bet Kayla will probably be his most vocal supporter in the building. That would be a small payback from Kayla to Josh, who opened her eyes to a new world of wrestling.

�My brother started playing around and that�s when I wanted to compete,� Kayla said.

One thing is certain. The Webbs don�t mind bringing their work home.

Murray County

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