Stevensville's Austin Franco proves ready for next level at MYWAY States

BATTLE CREEK, MI – Austin Franco definitely looks like his is ready to take the next step in his wrestling career.

The Stevensville-Lakeshore eighth grader was arguably the toughest wrestler at this past weekend's Michigan Youth Wrestling Association (MYWAY) State Finals, which were held at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena.

Wrestling in the 107-pound weight division in 13/14 age group, Franco cruised through his bracket, winning the title with an impressive 21-4 technical fall win over Hesperia's Kanin Witte in the finals.

“Everybody out there that I wrestled was good,” Franco said. “In all of my matches I had to push myself to be faster and get to my shots and finish them.”

For Franco, this past weekend's title was his fourth MYWAY state championship. And it was the fifth consecutive year he's made it to the finals.

Franco has also had a great year, starting off the wrestling season by winning the middle school title at the Grappler Fall Classic, and taking second in the high school division.

His only loss of the season came in Tulsa, where a lot of the best in the country meet every year.

Franco's father, Tony Franco has been with his son ever since he started the sport in the second grade, and says there is no secret into what makes a good wrestler.

“This takes a lot of hard work,” Tony Franco said. “Summer is where it's at. We have done a lot of traveling trying to find practice partners. We have traveled from Indiana to all over Michigan. Practice, practice, that's what it takes.”

And Franco knows he still needs to practice and get better before he moves on to high school.

“I have to get physically stronger, and mentally better,” Franco said. “I need to mature, it's high school. I do have a lot of confidence heading into high school, though.”

And still the love for the sport.

“It's probably the toughest sport in the world,” Franco said. “If you succeed at it, you are an athlete.”

And for Franco, who will be competing the NUWAY's National Tournament in two weeks, and then head to a freestyle and Greco-Roman schedule later in the spring, he still wants more successes.

““I want to finish my high school career with four titles,” Franco said. “But I bet everybody does, it's not easy.  That is something I want.”

Fab 50 Update
Franco remained in the lead in the MI Grappler Youth Fab 50 with his Championships at MYWAY Regionals and States.  Check back for updated standings in the coming week.s

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