Young Ottawa grappler brings home Tulsa Eagle

TULSA, Okla. — Victory always feels good.

As for victory at one of the nation's largest youth wrestling tournaments, just ask young Ottawa grappler Carter Noonan.

"It was so great," said Noonan of going a perfect 5-0 and winning the eight-and-under 52-pound title at the 2020 World of Wrestling Tulsa Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., earlier this month.

"As soon as the (championship) match was done, I was so excited. I've been working so hard for this tournament, and to win it was just great."

Noonan — representing Team 1006 Wrestling out of Yorkville — earned his spot in the 8U 52-lb. title bout with four consecutive two-point decisions, 10-8 in the opening round, 2-0 in the Sweet 16, 6-4 in the quarterfinals and 2-0 in the semifinals.

As it turned out, the championship match against eventual third-place finisher Nelson Villafane III representing the Mat Assassins out of Pennsylvania would be Noonan's most decisive win, a 4-0 decision with the local grappler riding out the entirety of the third and final period.

"(The key was) sticking to the game plan," Noonan said. "Before the match, my dad (Josh Noonan, who Carter cited as the No. 1 reason for his success on the mats) and I went over what we'd do in all three periods if it went our way.

"And it went our way."

It was Noonan's first time competing at the event, which boasts over 2,000 young entrants ages 16 and younger. Competitors came from more than 40 states for the Tulsa Nationals, which were broadcast (and is archived for subscribers) on flowrestling.org. It was Noonan, though, who came home with his age and weight division's prestigious Tulsa Eagle.

As great as winning was, Noonan says his favorite part of wrestling is traveling and making friends ... even unlikely ones.

"I like traveling to different states, meeting new people and making new friends," said Carter, going on to add a story that took place right after the Parade of Champions before his championship bout in Tulsa.

"After the Parade of Champions, I went up to my dad and said, 'Hey, Dad, I made a new friend.' He said, 'Who's that?' I said, "Nelson," and he asked, 'Who's Nelson?'

"And I told him, 'My next opponent.'

"My goal is to wrestle through college. I want to go to the (national powerhouse) University of Iowa."