FARGO FEATURE: Pennsylvania's Alton brothers shooting for more titles
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by Craig Sesker
FARGO, N.D. - Something magical happens when the Alton brothers step on the mat at the Fargo Dome.
Pennyslvania twins Dylan and Andrew Alton did plenty of damage last year in this building and they are back for more this year.
Andrew was a double Cadet Nationals champion in 2007, winning titles in both Greco-Roman and freestyle. Dylan also won a Cadet Nationals title in Greco-Roman and placed second in freestyle.
This year, the twins have moved up to the Junior Nationals division with Andrew competing at 140 pounds and Dylan wrestling at 135.
Dylan breezed through his first match early Sunday morning in Greco-Roman.
"It was good to get that first one of the way," Dylan said. "This is a great tournament to compete in. I love testing myself against some of the best guys in the country. This is as tough as it gets for kids like me who are in high school."
Dylan's success in Greco-Roman is impressive when you consider what he focuses on in practice.
"I like freestyle better - I don't really train at all in Greco," he said. "I wasn't going to wrestle Greco this year, but my brother was going to compete in Greco so I figured I would just do it too."
Dylan said he and his twin brother, who are both 17 years old, push each other in workouts.
"Sometimes we get in brawls and mix it up a little bit," he said. "But it really helps a lot, having someone to train with all the time. You don't ever have to go looking for a training partner.
Pennyslvania twins Dylan and Andrew Alton did plenty of damage last year in this building and they are back for more this year.
Andrew was a double Cadet Nationals champion in 2007, winning titles in both Greco-Roman and freestyle. Dylan also won a Cadet Nationals title in Greco-Roman and placed second in freestyle.
This year, the twins have moved up to the Junior Nationals division with Andrew competing at 140 pounds and Dylan wrestling at 135.
Dylan breezed through his first match early Sunday morning in Greco-Roman.
"It was good to get that first one of the way," Dylan said. "This is a great tournament to compete in. I love testing myself against some of the best guys in the country. This is as tough as it gets for kids like me who are in high school."
Dylan's success in Greco-Roman is impressive when you consider what he focuses on in practice.
"I like freestyle better - I don't really train at all in Greco," he said. "I wasn't going to wrestle Greco this year, but my brother was going to compete in Greco so I figured I would just do it too."
Dylan said he and his twin brother, who are both 17 years old, push each other in workouts.
"Sometimes we get in brawls and mix it up a little bit," he said. "But it really helps a lot, having someone to train with all the time. You don't ever have to go looking for a training partner.
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