PAWF Qualifier
There will be a PAWF state championship qualifier on June 7 at Lewistown High School. The state championship will then be held the following weekend, June 13-15, at Line Mountain High School. For more information, go to www.usapawf.com.
Wrestling News Show
I'm working with Austin Shanfelter, J Robinson and Wade Schalles to create a wrestling news show. To view a pilot of this program, click on Wrestling 411 to your left. This would be an ESPN news-type program that would air November through March.Young wrestlers need visual motivation. I believe this show can create what I term "the magnetism of dreams". I am responsible to raise funds to make this happen. I would like to get as many people involved as possible to help me raise funds for this. Just think about this: if every high school wrestling program put up $100, that would be over $900,000. Let me know if you would like to help make this show a reality.
Mat-Town USA Wrestling Club Newsletter
MAT-TOWN USA TRAINING
Andy Vogel, head coach at Gettyburg, leads Mat-Town on May 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Central Mountain Middle School
On Tuesday, May 13, former Messiah College wrestler and 3x All-American Andy Vogel, will be leading the training. Andy is currently the head coach at Gettysburg College. He has been a member of Coach Turner's Turner Wrestling Training staff for many years and enjoys helping students master the art of wrestling. Join us Tuesday for this special session. We encourage you to bring a friend or training partner. We will continue training sessions each Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8 at the middle school. See you there.
Congratulations
Many area wrestlers have had success in the post-season wrestling tournaments, including Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling and the Middle Atlantic Wrestling Series. Congratulations to all those who placed at those tournaments. Of special note, Quentin Wright and Andrew and Dylan Alton have earned the right to compete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado at the end of May for a spot on the Junior World Team. All three of these wrestlers placed at the U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas recently, with Wright and Dylan Alton taking first in their respective divisions. This is quite an accomplishment.
Wrestling 411
Coach Turner has been in Florida for the last few days, promoting Wrestling 411, a wrestling highlight show created by Media Sports Productions to make amateur wrestling a front page sport. To learn more about the show and MSP and how you can get involved, go to www.mediasportsproductions.com. You can now view a pilot of this show by going to Wrestling 411 Pilot. Wrestling 411 is an ESPN-style, 30-minute what's happening in wrestling. This is a very fast-paced show, like ESPN News. The young wrestlers of America need heroes. The more media coverage the better. Television validates the sport. Just look at football and basketball. In my Pyramid of Participation for building wrestling in America, the most critical role of the top of the pyramid is to provide positive role models for the wrestlers working their way up the pyramid. The top college and international wrestlers in America need to become household names and not just in households that are already involved in wrestling. This flow of exposure and excitement enhances the recruitment and retention of students in wrestling. Wrestlers need heroes to create dreams. Dreams create internal motivation. Motivation helps to bring students into wrestling and keep students in wrestling. Please join me in promoting this effort. The NWCA is coming alongside Media Sports Production to make the show a regular reality in the 2008-2009 season. To make this happen, we need the support of every single wrestler, coach, family and fan in America. Networks who consider hosting this show will have one question: how many people will be watching? ESPN has been impressed with the number of persons who watched the NCAA Division I and all the positive feedback they received for their quality presentation. Wrestling participation is a quality product. We must proclaim this and not keep it a secret. I'm counting on all of you to join me in this effort.
Job Openings
Staff Member & Wrestling Coach
Chester Academy, Chester, NY
Coaching position is at the youth/JV level. Potential jobs are school social worker grades 6-12, elementary special education, full-time substitute teacher grades 6-12, grade 7 science teacher with NYS certification, and full-time hallway monitor with medial. Please send a resume to edajack@ptd.net
Coaches
State College, Bellefonte, Williamsport and Bald Eagle Area have coaching positions open. Please contact the schools' athletic directors for more information.
SPONSORS & MEMBERS
For information on becoming a sponsor or member, please contact Thane N. Turner, president of the Board of Directors at tturner@uplink.net. For a current list of businesses, teams and individuals who are supporting Mat-Town USA go to Members & Supporters or Sponsors. Where possible, please patronize these sponsors and let them know you are a part of Mat-Town USA.
We want everyone to join us in the following three objectives: 1) increase participation in wrestling at every level, 2) increase the retention of wrestlers at every level, and 3) enhance the quality of experience for every wrestler, both in training and competition.
Mat-Town USA Wrestling Club Newsletter
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Mat-Town USA
Lock Haven
Tuesdays & Thursdays,
6:30-8 p.m.
Central Mountain Middle School Gymnasium. All age groups are welcome. Come early to move mats!
Mat-Town USA
Lancaster
Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m.
McCaskey High School Wrestling Room.
Wednesdays,
6-7:30 p.m.
Conestoga Valley High School Wrestling Room.
Training is geared to the high school athlete, but junior high and advanced youth wrestlers are welcome to attend.
The only cost is the purchase of a USA Wrestling Card for $30.
COACHING THOUGHTS
"Many Hands Make Light Work." It takes a lot of people to make a successful wrestling training experience and competitive experience. I have been very impressed by the number of people that have helped with the mats and the instruction at our training sessions. Please know your efforts are greatly appreciated. It's really all about the students and it's also important to teach the students how to help. It's easier to teach someone when you jump right in and do it with them. Every student has a network of support and when we connect all of those networks much can be accomplished. Our goal should be to develop students who do not need to be told what to do but who see what needs to be done and jump right in and do it. They will learn that by observing that attitude in each one of us. Mat-Town USA is not about any individual but is about what participation in wrestling can teach a young person about life and living. "Whatever you do, do it with all your heart." That is or goal. See you on the mats!
SPONSORS & MEMBERS
For information on becoming a sponsor or member, please contact Thane N. Turner, president of the Board of Directors at tturner@uplink.net. For a current list of businesses, teams and individuals who are supporting Mat-Town USA go to Members & Supporters or Sponsors. Where possible, please patronize these sponsors and let them know you are a part of Mat-Town USA.
THANKS
The Central Mountain Wrestling Boosters would like to thank all those who helped with the Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association Qualifier held on March 2. A special thanks goes to the mat moving crew, which included several men not from Central Mountain, that pitched in to move mats from the middle school to the high school after Mat-Town Training Thursday evening.
PIAA STATES WEB COVERAGE
If you go to www.msasports.net and click on broadcast, you will be able to hear John Lipez broadcasting the state tournament from Hershey.
We want everyone to join us in the following three objectives: 1) increase participation in wrestling at every level, 2) increase the retention of wrestlers at every level, and 3) enhance the quality of experience for every wrestler, both in training and competition.
Coach T
Mat-Town USA Wants You to Be Aware of These Training Opportunities
Free HTC Training Wednesday
Winter training cycle concludes this week. Our current training cycle will conclude on Wednesday, February 13th with our 7:00pm practice. We are offering an open invitation to any wrestler who would like to attend that session at no charge. If you would like to see firsthand the many benefits of training at our HTC please make plans to attend. You can email camps@kenchertow.com for more information on this very special offer.
Spring Training Cycle
Spring Training Cycle begins on February 20th. We will begin our final training cycle before summer camp on Wednesday, February 20. We encourage individuals and teams to enroll this spring. In addition to the high level of personalized training for the many critical spring events that you participate in, you will qualify for substantial summer camp discounts. We offer classes on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons for wrestlers of all ages. http://www.kenchertow.com/camps/htc/HTC_Spring_08_Flyer.pdf
Community program
We have established a community rate that allows wrestlers of all ages from your community to join the HTC for one low community fee and a $10 per wrestler registration fee, email tara@kenchertow.com for more information.
Peak Performance Camp
We will conduct a Peak Performance Technique and Training Camp on February 23rd in conjunction with a very competitive local tournament on February 24. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in the tournament or take advantage of added personalized training on February 24. http://www.kenchertow.com/camps/htc/HTC_FEB_23.pdf
College Wrestling on TV
There will be several exciting college dual meets on TV in the coming weeks with Coach Chertow on the telecast as the expert analyst. Tune in to these bouts to observe outstanding competition and many former Gold Medal Campers and current camp counselors in action, http://www.kenchertow.com/news_events/tv_lineup.html.
Jordan Oliver Selected for 34th Annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic
Pittsburgh, PA – January 16, 2008 – Jordan Oliver, a 130-lb senior from Easton Area High School, with a has been selected to the Pennsylvania team for the 34th Annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, the most prestigious high school all-star wrestling meet in the United States, to be held on Saturday, March 15, 2008, in the University of Pittsburgh Fitzgerald Field House.
Jordan Oliver, who will be attending Oklahoma State, brings numerous wrestling accomplishments to the event including a current scholastic career record of 154-5, 2X Pennsylvania AAA State titles pursuing his 3rd title this year, Asics Cadet & Junior National Champion, 4X Manheim & 2X Reno Championships along with being ranked at the top of the 130-lb weight class by many national wrestling publications. Upon accepting the selection Jordan commented, “after seeing and hearing about the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic for many years, I am very honored to represent the PA team at this years event”. Easton’s head coach Steve Powell remarked” Easton wrestlers have had a lot of success at the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic over the past years. I believe that Jordan Oliver will continue to be part of this great tradition.”
A preliminary dual meet, showcasing the Western Pennsylvania or WPIAL All-Stars against Wisconsin All-Stars begins at 5:30 P.M. The feature match, between the Pennsylvania state team and the USA All-Stars follows at 7:30 P.M.
The Wrestling Classic is sponsored by UPMC Health Plan with support services provided by UPMC Sports Medicine. Proceeds from the Wrestling Classic benefit a youth wrestling programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania through the Dapper Dan Youth Sports Leagues.
Tickets can be purchased at Wright Automotive Group on Route 19, Canon McMillan High School, or by calling the Dapper Dan Charities at 412-263-3850. For more information about the Wrestling Classic or to order tickets, visit www.wrestlingclassic.com.
Contacts: Kriag Nellis Frank Vulcano, Jr.
Phone: 412-213-0688 Phone: 412-429-2244
Email: kraignellis@aol.com Email: vulcanojr@hotmail.com
About Dapper Dan Charities
Olympian Ken Chertow Offers Holiday Break Wrestling Camps
Our mission is to raise the spirit and fortune of Western Pennsylvania by celebrating athletic tradition and accomplishment, and by supporting athletic opportunities for under-served youth. We pursue this mission by: Creating and maintaining a forum to acknowledge this region’s athletic achievements – scholastic, amateur and professional. Sponsoring programs that offer opportunities for athletic participation and personal growth to under-served youth. Funding educational opportunities for students who display high levels of scholarship, sportsmanship and citizenship. Developing the necessary resources
U.S. Olympian Ken Chertow will be holding two Gold Medal Wrestling Camps in Pennsylvania over the upcoming holiday breaks.
Coach Chertow will host his Weekend Warrior Camp November 23 - 25 at his Home Training Center (HTC) in Boalsburg, Pa., and his Winter Break Training Camp December 26 - 31 at the Ramada Inn Convention Center in nearby State College, Pa.
Both camps offer serious wrestlers of all ages and skill levels the chance to get a head start on the winter wrestling season. Coach Chertow provides his campers with intense, personalized instruction in a productive learning environment. Group discounts are available as well as need based financial aid to those who qualify.
Coach Chertow's Gold Medal Camp System has also been running summer camps throughout the nation for more that 20 years. Last summer, Coach Chertow brought camp to 21 locations ranging from California to Boston. Look for updated summer 2008 camp information on kenchertow.com in December.
For more information, or a tour of Coach Chertow's camps, please feel free to call (814) 466-3466 or email camps@kenchertow.com.
]Mat-Town USA Wrestling Club Newsletter
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Mat-Town USA
Lock Haven
Fall training has ended. Stay tuned for the winter schedule.
Mat-Town USA
Lancaster
Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m.
McCaskey High School Wrestling Room.
Wednesdays,
6-7:30 p.m.
Conestoga Valley High School Wrestling Room.
Training is geared to the high school athlete, but junior high and advanced youth wrestlers are welcome to attend.
The only cost is the purchase of a USA Wrestling Card for $30.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - November 4 at Quakertown HS
USA PAWF Fall State Championships. NO PRE-QUALIFICATION IS REQUIRED!! See www.usapawf.com for details.
COACHING THOUGHTS
The 2007-2008 Scholastic wrestling season is here. Training will begin all across Pennsylvania on Monday, November 12. I don't know the exact dates for the other states, but I know everyone is moving into action. The colleges have been up and going for some time. Many of them are in the process of having ranking bouts. The colleges will soon begin to compete. I spend hours every day working on all aspects of wrestling so at this time of year my thoughts are racing. I'm going to invite you into my mind and my mind is connected to my heart. Here are some of my thoughts.
Be sure to remind your students they are not training to defeat opponents they can already defeat. Every training session the student is training to defeat opponents they could not defeat prior to that session. This requires 100% focus.
Never stop recruiting wrestlers and the students you have are the best recruiters. Be sure to invite students who have wrestled at some time in the past to return to wrestling.
Have a plan. It is a long season. Concentrate on a fundamental plan for developing all of your students. If every student improves, the season is a success.
Concentrate on competitive fitness. Eliminate all references to weight cutting. Change the language to good nutrition and maximum fitness. There are many stories of wrestlers being more successful by training up to a weight class.
Be sure every student, every coach and every family member knows your mission. Your mission would be your way of doing things. When the journey is correct, the results take care of themselves.
Be sure you communicate with every student's support system. Success requires communication. The coaches, the students and all support groups must be united in purpose. Much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.
Let us know if we can help in any way. We do not have all the answers, but we'll help you network to find one.
SPORTS MEDICINE UPDATE
We have posted a very good article on strategies to prevent staph infection. This article was given to us by John Hughes, from the Penn State wrestling staff. You can find the article on the Mat-Town website under articles.
SPONSORS & MEMBERS
For information on becoming a sponsor or member, please contact Thane N. Turner, president of the Board of Directors at tturner@uplink.net. For a current list of businesses, teams and individuals who are supporting Mat-Town USA go to Members & Supporters or Sponsors. Where possible, please patronize these sponsors and let them know you are a part of Mat-Town USA.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Lock Haven Fall Classic - November 10 & 11. Information and an online registration form is available at www.lhup.edu/wrestling/FC.htm.
COACHING DEVELOPMENT
The NWCA has a lot of great technique tapes. Just go to InterMat www.intermatwrestle.com). These help to keep your mind sharp when you're developing your teaching system.
We want everyone to join us in the following three objectives: 1) increase participation in wrestling at every level, 2) increase the retention of wrestlers at every level, and 3) enhance the quality of experience for every wrestler, both in training and competition.
Coach T
