By Jordan J. Michael

BINGHAMTON – Keith Domermuth is an ordinary kid from Westerlo. But there is nothing ordinary about winning a gold medal at the Empire State Games.

The 17-year-old Berne-Knox-Westerlo senior defeated Roy Wilferth of Western to claim a gold medal in Greco Roman wrestling.

“Everyone wants to make a big deal out of the gold medal,” said Domermuth. “I just went out there and wrestled. That’s what I do.”

Domermuth competed in the scholastic men’s 125Kg wrestling weight class. He took on opponents in both freestyle and Greco Roman events. He placed fourth in the freestyle event.

His mother, Kim Domermuth, said that Keith is a “shy guy.” He didn’t even show anyone his gold medal.

“Right after he got home, he hung the gold medal in the glass case,” she said. “I asked him if he was going to show his friends, but he said it looked good where it was.”

Domermuth doesn’t like to have his picture taken when he’s wrestling. “My mom always wants to take pictures but I won’t let her,” said Domermuth. “I don’t like the flash. I need to have total focus when I’m the mat.”

However, Mrs. Domermuth had a sneaky friend take pictures of Keith at the Games. “I needed pictures from the Games because this is an important memory,” said the proud mother.

Domermuth trains year round at the TNT Wrestling Center in Albany with his coach Mike Merige. The TNT gives him confidence and strength, he said. He joined the club after winning only one match in his first year of wrestling.

“Jeff Vogel from my school introduced me to wrestling. BKW wrestling has helped a lot of kids, including myself,” said Domermuth. “My first year was rough, but Jeff suggested TNT. It was a good choice.”

Domermuth is thinking about becoming a physical-education teacher. He would love to coach wrestling some day. But currently, he has no idea what to do with the gold medal.

“I’m happy that I won the gold, for sure,” said Domermuth. “But what am I supposed to do with it?”