Siblings wrestle their way to the top
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SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — While three brothers from the Scottsboro Ward, Huntsville Alabama Stake, were winning high school state wrestling championships recently, some of their biggest fans were their three older brothers.
Michael, Chase and Kyle Cuthbertson are following in their older siblings' footsteps, and even taking some steps beyond. Michael, the Alabama Class 5A champion at 160 pounds as a junior at Scottsboro High School, has won four straight state titles. Twins Chase and Kyle won for the first time as 14-year-old Scottsboro Junior High School eighth graders, at 103 and 112 pounds respectively.
When Michael entered the eighth grade, high school wrestling rules were changed in the 5A and 6A classifications (the largest schools) to allow eighth graders to compete on varsity teams. So Michael became not only the first eighth grader to claim a gold medal in the 5A state finals when he won at 103 pounds in 2001, but is on track to become the first five-time champion in 5A. His other championships were at 125 and 135 pounds.
In the last tournament, Michael also won the award for most pins, and Kyle won the award for the best match of the tournament for his championship duel. He was trailing 1-0 with less than 10 seconds remaining when he scored a 2-point reversal. In his semifinal match, Kyle scored in the final seconds to beat a senior two-time state finalist. Chase "just breezed through the tournament," his father said.
Bishop Jay W. Higley of the Scottsboro Ward said the Cuthbertson trio is "pretty much dominating the wrestling scene around here." He said they are also clean-cut young men, active in Scouting, who are an asset to the ward. "They are very responsible and nice young men," he said. "They serve in any position when they are asked."
Michael is an assistant to the bishop in the priests quorum and Kyle is in the teachers quorum presidency.
The family wrestling legacy started with the oldest of Bob and Teresa Cuthbertson's sons, Rob.
He got a late start in the sport, according to his father, and didn't get into it too much, but sparked the interest of the other boys. Second son, Jeff, ended up winning two state championships and the next brother, Scott, became Scottsboro High School's first three-time state champion.
Meanwhile, the younger three boys were getting some valuable training — and toughening up — as guinea pigs for the older ones.
When Michael started wrestling seriously, the family entered him in regional and national tournaments. He has had a lot of success, his father said, even though, since the boys won't wrestle on Sunday, in tournaments that wind up on the Sabbath, Michael would wrestle through Saturday and then be done.
The parents hope their youngest three continue to follow the example of the older brothers, now roommates at BYU, who all served missions.
As the 2004 state tournament approached, a wrestling coach, who Jeff had assisted, bought him a ticket back to cheer for his little brothers. When his roommates found out, they schemed to get their own passage and that enabled the entire family to be there for the unique celebration of family success on the mat.
E-mail to: ghill@desnews.com
