Shawn Jansen: Matman and joker -- Weber two different people on and off wrestling mat

Ben Weber's checklist probably looks a little different than most wrestlers as he packs his bag for today's Sac-Joaquin Section Division I South tournament.

The list may read something like this:

Singlet -- Check.

Headgear -- Check.

Wrestling shoes -- Check.

Pink sequin hat -- Check.

Stud muffin T-shirt -- Check.

You won't find Weber's outfit in a J. Crew catalog.

It does make it easier to spot the Golden Valley junior out of the crowd at any wrestling tournament.

Just look for the hat with the propeller on it, or on certain days he might be the guy in the pink tights.

"I'm just me," Weber said. "If I look at it and I think it's funny, I'll wear it. I ride a unicycle. I'm not afraid of anything. I'm looking to wear a sombrero this week."

We can all learn a lot from somebody like Weber.

So often kids (adults too) are afraid of what other people think.

Here's a kid who's comfortable with who he is and is having fun being himself.

"People might see me wearing a shirt that says stud muffin," Weber said. "I've worn pink tights before. I just do it. I think to myself why not?

"I was definitely the class clown. My mom always told me, 'you don't have to fit in, just be yourself.' "

What kind of reaction does Weber get?

"I definitely get the 'gay card' a lot," he said. "I'll hear someone say, 'Ah, you're gay.' A lot of people just know it's me.

"I was wearing the pink hat the other day and I heard, 'That guy's gay.' Someone sitting next to him must have knew me because he said, 'No, that's Ben Weber.' "

Spotting Weber on the wrestling mat isn't difficult either.

He's usually the one with his hand raised after the match.

Weber enters this week's divisional tournament at Stockton Lincoln with a 35-5 record, including a 114-pound title at last week's Central California Conference championship.

Weber is 10-0 at 114 pounds this year.

He's surrounded by his goals every day at practice.

Hanging in the Golden Valley wrestling room are four banners.

Last week's performance already secured Weber's name on one banner with the list of GV conference champions.

The other three banners list the names of Golden Valley wrestlers who were sub-section finalists, section placers and state placers.

"Every day we're in here," Weber said. "You look at the banners. I have the confidence because I know I'm on one banner.

"My goal is to be on all four and I want to be on all four twice my junior and senior years. That's definitely motivation."

Golden Valley coach Chopper Mello has referred to Weber as a kid on a mission in recent weeks.

Jasper McCormick, Earl Richards and Jack Edwards are the only three GV wrestlers who have their name on all four banners.

"It's a big motivation," Mello said. "We talk about it all the time. Especially at this time of year. It's a rare opportunity and it's a privilege to be up there."

With the crazy outfits and hats, you might think Weber doesn't take anything seriously.

You couldn't be more wrong.

You don't compile the record or win the three tournaments he's won this year without focus.

"About a half hour before each match I get really nervous," Weber said. "It doesn't matter if I'm about to wrestle a guy I already beat.

"I start to get into focus mode. When I get called to staging area all the jokes go away. It's game time."

Even though you won't see Mello wearing pink tights or a stud muffin shirt anytime soon, the GV coach doesn't have a problem with Weber having fun.

"Kids are happy and sometimes they wrestle better when they're happy," Mello said.

"When you get to the state meet you see a lot of wrestlers who have their unique things or do things out of superstition. I think it can help take the edge off. I think that can be a good thing."

All the funny clothes could work in Weber's favor.

Other wrestlers could see him walking around in these funny outfits and not take him seriously.

"All the hats and shirts aren't really strategy," he said. "The only strategic thing I do is my handshake. I have a weak handshake.

"I purposely give a weak handshake to my opponent before the match so maybe they'll take me lightly."

How can you not root for a kid like that?

Shawn Jansen is a Sun-Star sports reporter. He can be reached at 385-2462 or via e-mail at sjansen@mercedsun-star.com.