The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon isn't known for wrestling, but the City Built on Rock has some hidden talent. Eric Skeavington is looking to escape his hiding spot by moving to Saskatoon at summer's end and competing against the best. "His ultimate goal is to get a scholarship," said Eric's father, Murray, who will stay behind because of his job. The family made their decision after Christmas when Eric competed in a tournament in Saskatoon. Though he has improved a lot in Flin Flon, the move will help. "Saskatoon has one of the top three club teams in Canada," Murray said. He feels Eric's skill level is average for his age and weight. "I think he'll be competitive at the high school and national level," Murray stated. "He will practice with top level people all the time. It's going to be a challenge for him." Murray said the coaches in Saskatoon like Eric's desire-he doesn't like to get pinned and he's strong defensively. His passion for the sport comes from the fact he can only rely on himself. "I like the independence," Eric said. "How good you do is how hard you try in it." Eric recently took on all challengers during the Cadet National and Cadet Juvenile National competitions in Edmonton. He went 0-2 in the Cadet National for 15 to 16-year-olds and 2-1 against 15 to 17-year-olds in the Cadet/Juvenile National he placed fifth. "It's pretty good because it's my first ever national. I was quite happy about that," Eric said. Going in, the 15-year-old didn't expect anything though there were coaches who figured he would do well. What Eric learned from the nationals is that "there's always better people than you and you have to keep trying." He liked the competitiveness as everyone was at such a higher level. He feels that he improved all his skills. Despite the lack of high competition in the area, he is appreciative for the coaching he received from Mike Nychuk. "He helped out a lot," Eric said about Nychuk. "It's incredible how much he's helped. Him and Craig McIntosh."
