RallyNorth.net

Owens carries the torch for Astros

Monday, February, 11 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

In what has become a family tradition, Pinkerton freshman David Owens is, at least for the moment, the last one standing.

And he may be the best of the bunch.

Owens began wrestling when he was 5-years-old at the suggestion of his father, Steven, who coached at the Derry Boys and Girls Club. His father grew up wrestling as a high school student in Mexico, Maine, and a much older brother, Michael, had been a wrestler at Pinkerton.

Moreover, another brother (Steve) had just won a state title for the Boys Club and was preparing to wrestle as a freshman, and twin brother Dylan would join the Boys Club program the next year.

But Steve died unexpectedly that year and Dylan has at least temporarily given up the sport, leaving David to carry the torch. And carry it he has done, in impressive fashion.

On what is an up-and-coming program, Owens has been a shining light. He will likely enter the Division 1 tournament at Exeter Saturday as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed at 112 pounds (with Timberlane freshman Matt Morris right there with him) and a glittering 34-4 record.

Last month, he placed first at the rugged Capital City Classic in Concord and he opened the season by placing first at the Salem Invitational.

"David is having a terrific year," said Pinkerton assistant Jim Cherniack. "He's a very determined wrestler and really gets after it."

Owens' extensive background at the Boys Club has certainly helped. He won two state youth titles, including as a 105-pounder last year, and captured four New England crowns, while enduring hundreds of practices. And, while he has grown weary of practice in high school, he remains focused on the areas in which he still needs improvement.

"I need the most improvement being in neutral, with my shooting (for takedowns)," said Owens. "I think I'm best at being on top or starting on bottom."

In addition to progressing through practice, Owens picks up tips and motivation from watching tapes of himself as well as of Steve who, before passing away, was thought to have great potential as a high school wrestler.

"I know it (memories of Steve) motivates him all the time," said Steven. "You can see it in football. In Pop Warner, they retired Steve's number (49) and David had the option of pulling it out of retirement, and that's what he did so he could wear it."

There is no such number in wrestling, but Owens is clearly carrying on the family tradition with pride.