Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/118563
SPORTS APRIL 2013 Watson finds his way with mixed martial arts Former East wrestler wins his first two fights after embarking on new journey By Daniel Mike Freeman Staff BROOKFIELD – Larry Watson was like many high school graduates. After he left Brookfield East High School in 2011, he was unsure what he wanted to do. "I went to high school for four years, and midway through my first year of (college), I was so bored because I was used to being an ath- Watson lete," Watson said. "It was hard, and I was missing it. I needed something." Watson was majoring in marketing at Waukesha County Technical College, but he admits he chose WCTC because he "had to go to school somewhere." "I didn't know what I wanted to do with myself," Watson said. "I wasn't super passionate about going to school for business, so I went to a tech school to do something and figure things out." But Watson didn't figure things out at WCTC. That happened after finding out about the Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Milwaukee. Watson gave the academy a shot as a means of working out – and he quickly found his calling. "Ever since I've been at Roufusport, everything makes sense," Watson said. "Things are going well, and I'm not going to argue with it or go against it." Watson began training at Roufusport in March, and his wrestling background drew the attention of coaches who asked if he'd like to try a mixed martial arts fight. "I just wanted to get back into shape," Watson said. "The first time they asked, I said, 'I don't think so. I don't think I'm ready yet, and I'm not comfortable with striking.'" That was in July. A few months later, they asked Watson again – and after nearly eight months of training, he decided to give it a shot. He won his first match in a secondround knockout in November. "My first fight, I was trying to strike and have fun out there," Watson said. "I made a couple of rookie mistakes and caught a couple shots. That let me know that, until I'm completely comfortable and schooled in striking, I need to stick to what I know. "MMA is about having dominating performances and being efficient. I want to be dominant, but for now I will stick to what I know." What Watson knows is wrestling. It's a sport he's done most of his life, and his senior year at East brought a runnerup finish at 171 pounds in the WIAA Division 1 state individual tournament. "The first thing you At a glance Who: Larry Watson What: amateur mixed martial arts fighter who is 2-0, winning both of his fights by knockout Age: 19 Residence: Milwaukee High school: 2011 graduate of Brookfield East Weight class: lightweight need (in MMA) is great hips," Watson said. "Anybody can get out and say they want to fight. It's another thing to get taken down and not know how to get up. Wrestlers are good at that. It's hard to take us down." Watson has put school on hold as he focuses on this new venture. His progression through MMA has him focused on the sport, and he spends a good portion of his time working to pay for training at Roufusport. "It's not cheap," Watson said. "But they've got some of the best coaches in the world. As an amateur, we sell our own tickets to make money. If you sell enough tickets, you can cover a year of membership. "We're amateurs, but we're training like pros." Roufusport trains UFC fighters Anthony Pettis, Erik Koch and Alan Belcher as well as Bellator middleweight champion Ben Askren, an Arrowhead High School graduate and former Olympic wrestler. Seeing such talent in the building helps inspire Wat- son. "We've got some great coaches, and then you've got Askren and all the UFC fighters around teaching us things along the way," Watson said. "I consider myself to be spoiled. We have so many tons of knowledge to pick from whenever you want." Watson was a state runner-up as a senior at East, losing the title match to a defending state champion. He was also state qualifier as a junior, but he lost his first match of the tournament and did not earn an opportunity to wrestle in the consolation bracket after his first-round opponent lost in the second round. Watson won his second fight in a first-round knockout Feb. 9, and he's still trying to sort out his future in MMA. He's not entirely sure where things will lead in mixed martial arts, but he's anxious to find out. "I'm so new to it, so it can go anywhere," Watson said. "The opportunities are endless, and I feel good about it. I feel I ended up (at Roufusport) for a reason. "I thought I was done after my senior year of wrestling. I thought the state finals was going to be my last match. I knew I wasn't going to be competing anymore. I almost gave up on being an athlete completely. "I look at MMA as a second chance for me." Email: dmike@conleynet.com Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove • Page 7A IN BRIEF lowell was a finalist for the award, given to the top senior in the state. Brookfield Academy junior MCC Player of Year in basketball BROOKFIELD – Brookfield Academy junior guard Sean Clarey was selected the Player of the Year in the Midwest Classic Conference for boys basketball. Clarey was joined on the first team by senior teammate Domonique Criss, Lake Country Lutheran junior Jacob Emery and Heritage Christian senior Zach Angles. Brookfield Academy senior Forah Bangura was a second-team pick along with Lutheran seniors Jacob Demman and Tim Bahr and St. John's Northwestern sophomore London Cobbs. Receiving honorable mention were Brookfield Academy junior Nate Stolte and freshman Ryan Clarey. Brookfield Academy senior selected to all-state first team WAUKESHA – Brookfield Academy senior Domonique Criss was given a first-team berth on the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 4 all-state team. Brookfield Academy junior Sean Clarey received honorable mention. Clarey averaged 22.5 points per game for the 21-3 Blue Knights, while Criss averaged 21.9 ppg. They finished 2-3, respectively, in Waukesha County scoring this season. Galcier hockey players chosen to all-state team WAUKESHA – Senior Morgan Hollowell and junior Arianna Smith of the Brookfield co-op girls hockey team were firstteam all-state picks by the Wisconsin Girls Hockey Coaches Association. Brookfield junior goaltender Jenna Bales and Arrowhead senior forward Hannah Bird received honorable mention. Marshfield senior Paige Johnson won the Ms. Hockey Wisconsin award. Hol- Brookfield football players on rosters for WFCA All-Star Games WAUKESHA – The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Games will feature 15 players from Waukesha County high schools, including three from Brookfield. The games will be held July 20 at Titan Stadium in Oshkosh, with small schools playing at noon and large schools at 5 p.m. The South team in the large schools game will include Brookfield East's Alec James and Brian Smith and Brookfield Central's Chikwe Obasih, along with Arrowhead's Jackson Abresch and Dom Todarello, Catholic Memorial's Andre Bodden, Matt Degner and Matt Hubley, Pewaukee's Jamison Cook, Hamilton's Tony Gumina and Tony Koepnick, and Mukwonago's Nathan Tanguay . The South team in the small schools game will feature Lake Country Lutheran's Jacob Demman and Jacob Simons and St. John's Northwestern's Dominic Pfister. Brookfield hockey player receives all-state honorable mention BROOKFIELD – Junior defenseman Robby Fosdick of the Brookfield/Catholic Memorial co-op boys hockey team received honorable mention on the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association all-state team. Waukesha South junior Zed Dietrich was selected first-team all-state for the second year. Junior defenseman Jake Miller and sophomore defenseman Tristan Rostagno of Arrowhead received honorable mention, along with Pewaukee junior forward Dominik Florian and Kettle Moraine/Mukwonago/ Oconomowoc senior goaltender Quinn Disrud. – Freeman Staff An Honor and Privilege to Care For John Woodin John Woodin's passion was helping people. He accomplished this through his business in the stock market. John was so passionate about his work, he continued to work until three days before he passed away at 88 years old. In 2009, with declining health issues and wanting to remain at home, John's family called Comfort Keepers. Care was provided for both John and Betti, his wife of 62 years. Care that included meal preparation, dressing assistance, laundry and transportation. Betti passed away in June, 2009. John continued to need help to stay in his home. He loved the wonderful meals his caregivers made for him. John's health declined over time and his needs for services increased. Personal care services and Hoyer-Lift assistance were added, but John's spirit for life always remained. "The general thoughtfulness and compassion that Comfort Keepers offered was wonderful and the ability to get to know the needs of an individual was a major reason the family decided on Comfort Keepers," said John's daughter, Wendy. John loved feeding the birds and squirrels, and the caregivers made sure the feeders were filled so John could enjoy watching nature. "In the last couple days of Dad's life, caregiver Charlene gave me a book about dying," Wendy said. "That was such a thoughtful gesture that, even in her grief, she would reach out to me." John's last days and hours were filled with so many wonderful little things, thanks in part to the caregivers who also participated in a little retirement party that Wendy put together for him. John passed in October, 2012, having had his last days and hours filled with much compassion and love. A CALLING Shar Meller, owner of Comfort Keepers had watched her own dad and mom fight to remain in the comfort of their home. She saw firsthand the determination and stress – both mental and physical – on her mom as the main caregiver for her dad in honoring his wish to die at home. Shar said she had an inspiration or a calling from God to dedicate her life to helping seniors remain independent with the love and dignity they deserve. A NATIONAL FRANCHISE Comfort Keepers has 650 national owners. In 2012, the company was again ranked as one of the Top Two Franchises in Senior Care by Franchise 500. Shannon and Gina Meller own two of the four family-owned franchises. Gina, the care manager, is responsible for screening employees (motor vehicle, criminal background and credit checks) so that they are bonded and insured. Gina's continuous training program helps to ensure caregivers are well-rounded and give peace of mind John Woodin (1914-2012) to seniors and their families as the caregivers enter their home and life. Shar's son Shannon, marketing director, has been with Comfort Keepers from day one. "Educating the seniors in the community about Comfort Keepers gives the seniors and their family members resource options that allow for living at home independently," Shannon said. DAILY WORRIES AND FEARS Fear of falling, loss of physical strength, failing health and illness can be overwhelming. Shar said that seniors save money their entire lifetime and the fear of nursing home living or losing independence can lead to sadness, loneliness, frustration and depression. Comfort Keepers is the best step prior to leaving their home. Clients can choose how much care they need to remain safe and what they can afford, with a minimum of three hours per week to 24 hours per day. Homemaking services such as transportation to medical appointments, errands, groceries, home cooked meals, light housekeeping and laundry are available. Personal care services include, incontinency, safety, mobility, transferring and bathing. Comfort Keepers specializes in legal live-in services, Alzheimer's care, Parkinson's disease, short-term respite care and supportive home hospice. Whether you choose the minimum of three hours a week or up to 24 hours a day, Comfort Keepers' creed is to, "Treat each and every client as if they are our own family member." Buy a Lunch and 2 Beverages, and receive a FREE LUNCH (of equal or lesser value) Serving Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties. 414-858-9400 www.comfortkeepers.com Ranked in the Top 2 Home Care Agencies in America 231326032 230162006