Following a wrestling exchange trip last summer to South Africa, brothers Caleb (in front) and Jake Batease, practice with coach Dave Naibert, for this year's Grant Union High School wrestling season.

 CANYON CITY With two weeks spent wrestling in South Africa over the summer, two brothers on the Grant Union High School team have a head start on the season.

 Canyon City residents Caleb and Jake Batease made an overseas trip with the Oregon Wrestling Cultural Exchange last summer. They said the experience was an opportunity to learn about a new culture and a new style of wrestling.

 The coach of the exchange program, Scott Revis, chose the two brothers to be on the team of 12.

 He liked how we wrestled and he invited us to go, Caleb said.

 As state middle school state champ last school year, wrestling at 195 pounds with a 27-0 record, Caleb, now a freshman, was automatically offered the opportunity to be in the exchange program.

 Jake, now a sophomore, competed for his chance to go to South Africa in a Scappoose tournament.

 Last school year Jake held the top record among GUHS heavyweight wrestlers.

 He placed fourth at the district wrestling tourney, up against two defending state champions:George Swartlender, who moved from a 2A to a 3A school, and Travis Hickman. Jake lost by one point to Hickman.

 After the brothers learned they were chosen, they worked throughout the summer – pulling weeds, mowing lawns, painting houses, etc. – to earn the $3,500 each to go on the trip. A small portion of the money needed was donated by area supporters.

 Their mom, Cindy Dougharity-Spencer, said the South Africa journey was a chance of a lifetime for her boys.

 This community was really great to them by allowing them the opportunity to earn their money, she said. We could not have done it without the support of this community.

 The Aug. 2-16 trip took the team to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town – each city with a population in the millions.

 Their first tournament was held in a large storage building in an industrial park.

 Because most of the people they were wrestling were not quite as big as the Batease brothers, they were matched with adults, 18-23 years old.

 Wrestling a man who was the five-time African national champion and the four-time South African champion, Jake was out of the first match after injuring his neck.

 All the tournaments used freestyle wrestling, not the collegiate style the brothers are accustomed to and that most U.S. high schools and colleges use.

 It was tough having to wrestle freestyle, because we hadnt done it for a long time, Caleb said. It uses mostly upper body.

 However, as the first week went on, they learned to mix their brand of wrestling with the new style.

 The rounds were 2 minutes each with two matches each time. If each player won a match, then a tie-breaker would decide the winner.

 All of the teams they were up against spoke English, generally as a second language.

 The Oregon team attended seven duals, two tournaments and had four days of free time.

 Free time was spent visiting wildlife reserves, and an expansive amusement park in Johannesburg.

 The brothers stayed with various host families, each with dogs and tall fences, and one night the entire team stayed together at a large bed and breakfast.

 The boys noted some points of interest during the trip.

 There is no such thing as a stoplight there, Caleb said, noting that the drivers speed along very fast.

 They laugh at you for wearing your seatbelt, Jake added.

 It was about 70-degree weather during their visit – winter time for South Africa. The brothers said people were shocked to see them swimming while everyone else was in coats and scarves.

 On wrestling in South Africa, they said it was hard at first, but it was good competition, Jake said.

 They had some words about the sport they love.

 Wrestling helps create good work ethic, Jake said.

 It teaches you lessons that can be applied in everyday life, Caleb added. If you do something halfway in life, its not going to work. And if you do something halfway in wrestling, youre going to get beat.

 Both boys said their mom was a great coach for them at Mt. Vernon Middle School – she was assistant coach one year and head coach for two school years, 2007-2009.

 They said she was the best at teaching them conditioning.

 Now Grant Union head coach Dave Naibert is showing them the ropes.

 Hes probably the best coach that Ive ever been around, said Caleb. Hes so knowledgeable.

 Hes taught me that if you can control somebody with your legs, you can beat anyone, said Jake. Hes one of the most motivational coaches weve ever had.

 Their mom says wrestling has made her two sons who they are today.

 They know how to win with dignity and lose with dignity, she said. Theyve made friends all over the state and, now, all over the world.