Baldwin keeps winning

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Baldwin keeps winning

Sports

Wednesday, 25 July 2012 11:34

Photo special to the News-Gazette

Fox Baldwin (center) celebrates after winning a gold medal at the Pan Am Games at Maracaibo, Venezuela.

OHS standout adds Cadet Nationals and Pan Am Games title

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Fox Baldwin capped a remarkable two-week span of amateur wrestling last weekend by capturing the USA Wrestling Cadet National Freestyle championship at Fargo, N.D.
Baldwin, a two-time high school state champion and a rising sophomore at Osceola High, defeated Mason Manville of Minnesota for the 145-pound championship and was 9-0 with six pins at the Cadet Nationals.

“Fox had previously wrestled Manville four times this summer, all of which were very close losses, so this was doubly-sweet for him to win on such a large stage,” OHS assistant coach Rick Tribit said. “It was an outstanding performance, to be sure. We are very proud of Fox and also very happy for the Baldwin family.”
OHS assistant coach Javier Maldonado traveled to Fargo with Baldwin and his OHS teammate Chris Pagan, a rising senior who won five matches at 195 pounds and nearly made the All-America team.
Two weeks ago, Baldwin won both freestyle and Greco-Roman championships and was voted the Outstanding Wrestler for both events at the Pan American Games at Maracaibo, Venezuela. He was unbeaten at the Pan Am Games, which brings together athletes from nations in North, Central and South America.
Baldwin competed in the Cadet division at 63 kilograms. After three wins in the preliminary rounds he defeated Edward Palanco of the Dominican Republic, 1-0, 7-1, for the Greco championship.
He displayed similar domination in freestyle, where he dispatched two opponents before defeating Victor Farfan of Venezuela, 7-0, 6-4, in the championship match.
Baldwin said the Pan Am championships were special because he was representing his country.
“Countries will only send their best athletes because it only hurts the team score if their athletes do not do well,” he said. “Every win is more points for the team score for that wrestler’s country. I am blessed to represent America.”
Baldwin said the international experience is important because as a member of the USA Wrestling 2020 Olympic Developmental team, his goal is to compete at the Summer Games.
“This trip is preparing me for the bigger goal of an Olympic gold medal,” he said. “God has been with me, and without Him I would not be able to do these amazing things.”
Baldwin also thanked those in the community who have supported him for the recent trips.
“Without your support, it wouldn’t have happened,” he said.
Among the images that will stay with him from the trip to Venezuela, he said, was the sight of a donkey pulling a wagon down an interstate highway as cars swerved around.
Since winning the high school Class 3A state championship, Baldwin has won a FloNational championship, he was a Fila Cadet Nationals All-American and he was a member of the Cadet Greco Duals All-Tournament team.