WRESTLING IS a demanding sport. Grappling competitively at 70-years-of-age is nearly unthinkable.

A Martins Ferry native is doing just that, however, and doing it extremely well. Joe Reasbeck wrestled for Martins Ferry High from 1959-63. He’s never stopped.

Reasbeck enjoyed a stellar mat career for Coach John Vrotsos’s powerful Purple Riders, winning two individual OVAC titles and a district crown. He earned a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

After he completed his wrestling career at Superior, the Ferry native joined the Marine Corp., serving several tours of duty in Vietnam. After leaving the service, Reasbeck went back to Superior to complete his credits for a degree.

Timing was on his side. When he graduated, Superior had an opening for a wrestling coach and teacher. He quickly accepted.

He still resides in Superior, Wis., and is still a fierce mat competitor. So much so, Reasbeck traveled to Athens, Greece, recently to take part in a freestyle and Greco mat event that attracted more than 800 competitors from 41 countries.

It is safe to say that Reasbeck was the oldest matmen in the field. He competed in the 66-70 age group as a heavyweight (130 kilos).

“I didn’t make weight at 97 kilos, so I had bump up to the 286-pound division,” Reasbeck said. “I only weighed in at 214 pounds so I was at a decided weight disadvantage.”

The weight disparity did little to hamper his efforts. He advanced all the way to the finals in the freestyle, losing 5-2 to a Russian wrestler. The silver medal performance was amazing as he was outweighed by 60 pounds in the finals.

That set the stage for the Greco event.

The opening-round matches were determined by a blind draw. As fate would have it, Reasbeck drew the same Russian wrestler he faced in the freestyle finals.

The Russian again bested Reasbeck. The Ferry native, however, wrestled back to earn the bronze medal.

Reasbeck’s wrestling resume is nothing short of amazing.

He has collected 35 national titles, encompassing folkstyle, freestyle and Greco in AAU and USA tournaments. He also has captured two Ironmen world titles and second- and fourth-place world finishes.

“After 56 years of wrestling, it may be time to retire,” Reasbeck said. He did not rule out competing in the same tourney in two years if it is hosted by the U.S.

“Wrestling is in my blood. Freestyle is my favorite, but I just like to compete. I have never thought of retirement from wrestling before now,” he said. “Not that I am 70. I have to petition to wrestle, and I must face wrestlers who may only be 55.

“Training is also becoming an issues. I used to train against my sons but they no longer are in town,” he continued. “Now I must go to Judo clubs to find partners.

BUBBA’S BITS

FORMER MARTINS Ferry boys’ basketball coach Franklin (Hank) Ellis died last week at age 94. The former Buckhannon High (W.Va.) and West Virginia Wesleyan basketball and baseball player coached the Purple Riders for three seasons (1948-50), posting a 48-20 record. After his coaching tenure in the Purple City, Ellis returned to Wesleyan, coaching their men’s hoop team for 20 years. While the Purple Riders’ coach, he also played with the pro Wheeling Blues team for three years. He also coached baseball, track, cross country and golf at Wesleyan before retiring in 1986. In 1990, he was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. His memorial celebration was staged Saturday on the Wesleyan campus.

THE INITIAL college football playing rankings were released Tuesday with Clemson, LSU, Ohio State and Alabama claiming the coveted top four slots. The most surprising scenario was Notre Dame in fifth ahead of unbeatens Baylor and TCU. Ohio State was 16th in last year’s initial ratings. The shuffling will commence this week, starting with LSU and Bama after their showdown yesterday in Tuscaloosa, followed by a Baylor-TCU shootout.

AFTER THEIR loss to the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night, the Cleveland Browns are out of playoff consideration. The balance of the season should be used to see if Johnny Manziel can cut the mustard as a big-time quarterback.

WEST VIRGINIA saved its football season Saturday with its hard-earned 31-26 win against Texas Tech for its first Big 12 win while evening its overall record at 4-4. Look for the Mountaineers to win three more in a row (Texas, Kansas and Iowa State) before a tough road trip to Kansas State.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com