For the Bachmann brothers, wrestling in Turkey proved to be a worthwhile experience – one that placed Faith Christian Academy’s program on the world map.
Joe, an incoming freshman at the Quakertown school, and Fred, entering eighth grade there, recently represented Puerto Rico at the U17 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. The brothers also competed in the Pan-American Championships in Mexico City.
Together, they have accumulated seven Super 32 titles as middle schoolers.
According to MatScouts, Joe is the top-ranked 106-pounder as a freshman, and Fred is ranked first at 99 pounds among middle schoolers. They are 11 months apart with Joe being 15 years old and Fred, 14.
Joe captured a bronze medal at worlds in Turkey and he won gold in freestyle at the Pan-Am Championships. Fred didn’t place at worlds, but he won a silver in Greco-Roman style and a bronze in freestyle in Mexico City.
Incoming sophomore and state champion Adam Waters also competed at both sites, at 176 pounds, and won gold in the freestyle and a silver in Greco-Roman at the Pan-Am Championships. Waters did not place at worlds.
“All three guys are incredibly talented and incredibly regimented in what they do on a daily basis to set themselves apart,” Faith Christian head coach Ben Clymer said. “Their families sacrifice to help keep them pursuing their goals week in and week out. It’s a grind and takes commitment from several sources, but the kids and families have shown they are all in.”
Both Bachmanns cherished their moments in Turkey.
“The competition was extremely competitive,” said Joe. “I am looking forward to winning this tournament in the next two years.”
“I didn’t wrestle my best,” added his brother. “But I had a great experience seeing Turkey and really learned a lot about international styles of wrestling. Freestyle was fun, but I am definitely excited to go back to folkstyle.”
Clymer had high praise for Faith Christian’s three Pan-Am medalists.
A student of the sport, “Waters is an elite competitor who instantly evokes confidence and belief in the people around him,” the coach said.
“Joe is one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet,” he added, noting that his conditioning and skill set is a product of his work ethic. “He deserves to be a champion.”
For the younger Bachmann, the sky’s the limit, Clymer said.
Fred’s “moxie and confidence is something that few can rival. He’s mean when he has to be mean and accommodating when he has to lead the guys around him.”
The Bachmann brothers’ father, Fred, stated that Joe started wrestling at 4 and Fred began at 3. He was appreciative that his sons centered their attention around freestyle wrestling.
“It is definitely still wrestling, but there are definitely a lot of differences in how the European strategy often is just to not really wrestle and slow down a match.”
At the worlds, the older Bachmann lost a tight 3-2 match in the semis and came back with a technical fall in the next round to capture the bronze. The younger Bachmann, who was the youngest wrestler there, lost in the opening round and missed an opportunity at wrestlebacks because the top four wrestlers were on the same side of the bracket in the blind draw format.
Faith Christian will return every starter from its PIAA Class 2A team tournament championship team, led by Waters and junior state champion Gauge Botero.
Joe Bachmann is anxious to make his contribution next year.
“I’m looking forward to being part of an awesome wrestling team with some friends and with the best coaches in the country. I am truly blessed to be able to wrestle for Coach Clymer, who is a great coach and also a great leader to me and my teammates.”
The Bachmann brothers and Waters “are great teammates and have grown in their faith over the past few years,” Clymer said. “... I’m confident they’ll continue to be successful at both while they and their teammates pursue excellence. I’m grateful I get to be around them and excited for what this year will bring.”
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