Olympic Dreams Renewed for Wrestlers Everywhere. NLWC Regional Olympic Training Center Sees Brighter Future
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® Volume 15 Number 2 V olume 2 Number1 FALL 2013 www.nittanylionwrestlingclub.com Olympic Dreams Renewed for Wrestlers Everywhere. NLWC Regional Olympic Training Center Sees Brighter Future. Our newsletter last Spring USA Wrestling’s Executive Director, designed to encourage offence joined a world-wide chorus — Rich Bender, emphasized the need over defense (or, more precisely, of wrestlers, coaches, wrestling to keep fighting. This is not a time over stalling). Collegiate wrestling organizations and historians — to to bask in the glow of a temporary also is already on board with preserve wrestling as an Olympic success: “Now the work really efforts to make our sport more fan sport. On September 8, 2013, the starts for wrestling. We need to friendly. Collegians, for example International Olympic Committee capitalize on the opportunity . can no longer escape being pinned selected Wrestling as the one We must continue to be passionate by getting only their shoulders “provisional sport” to be included and aggressive in promoting and out of bounds. Stay tuned to how in the 2020—24 Olympics. So improving wrestling in the US and new rules reduce the number of, the struggle to keep our sport around the world.” The campaign for example, 1-1 freestyle matches securely in the games beyond 2024 to “improve” international freestyle decided by a tie breaker from the continues. wrestling has already begun problematic “clinch” position. with international rule changes The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club Newsletter is published & distributed free of charge to all club members in recognition of their support of the NLWC Program. Jim Martin President Judd Arnold Vice President, Co-Editor Bob & Mary Noll Clothing Sales Other Board Members David Becker Bill Buckley Matt Gaul Darrel Zaccagni Rich Lorenzo Executive Director & Treasurer: Dave Hart Co-director of Programs Membership Chair, Co-Editor Nick Fanthorpe Co-director of Programs and Coach Coaches and Resident Athletes welcome players to the 2013 NLWC The IRS approves the NLWC as a tax- Golf Classic on Penn State’s Blue Course. (See page 8) exempt, charitable, educational organization [IRS code Sec 501(c)(3)]. All contributions above Shawn Contos, Les Sigman, Adam Lynch, Nick Fanthorpe, Quentin Wright, regular membership dues are tax deductible. Mark McKnight, Cael Sanderson, Jake Varner, Cody Sanderson. Not in picture Casey Cunningham, Jaime Espinal, Franklin Gomez Printed by Advanced Color Graphics 1 NLWC Resident Athletes Begin new Campaigns Since the 2013 Summer Olympics, Quentin Wright (96 kg/211.5 lbs.). number #1 in the world at 55 kg our Resident Athletes, in the wake The former Penn State star was a by FILA. Also in 2013, Mark won a of two years of remarkable successes 2x NCAA Champion and 4x All- Pan American Games Gold Medal as USA World and Olympic team American in college. He wrestles and placed 4th at the U.S. Open. members, have taken some breaks an exciting fun-to-watch style to recover from bruises, spend time and is expected to become one Franklin Gomez (60 kg/131 lbs.) with families, and wrestle with of the U.S.’s top freestyle upper A former NCAA Champion and decisions about future campaigns. weights. All-American for Michigan State, Jaime Espinal, for instance, who Franklin, representing his native won Silver in London — the first- Shawn Contos (55 kg/121 lbs.) Puerto Rico, earned a silver medal ever Olympic wrestling medal at the 2011 World Championships for Puerto Rico — has been Shawn, who also serves the Penn and was a 2012 Olympian. overwhelmed by public-relations State Wrestling team as their Franklin has defeated almost every appearances for his government. Strength and Conditioning Coach, has developed into one of the top competitor in the World at this weight class, including Russia’s In the coming year, both top 121 lbs. wrestlers in the U.S. Besik Kudukhov, a multiple time continuing and exciting new A 2012 Olympic Trials Qualifier, World Champion and Olympic RAs will be signing up for a host Shawn has had wins over several of Medalist. of USA and other World Team the top competitors at this weight, qualifying events for 2014, including current World Team especially the Dave Schultz member Obe Blanc. Memorial International at the end of January, the Las Vegas/ Mark McKnight (55 kg/121 lbs.) Asics U.S. Open Wrestling A former All-American for Penn Championships in April, and State, reached the 2012 Olympic the U.S. World Team Trials in Trial semi-finals before dropping Ann Arbor, MI in May. a close decision to the eventual champion. Mark placed 2nd at the Below is the current list of NLWC 2013 Dave Schultz International returning and new RAs in the Tournament. Especially note- coming year. The NLWC Coaching worthy at this tournament was Staff — Cael Sanderson, Cody that on his way to the finals, he Sanderson, Casey Cunningham defeated Amit Kumar of India and Nick Fanthorpe — has retained who in addition to being India’s or recruited elite athletes that 2012 Olympian, was also ranked have made our Regional Olympic Training Center one of — if not Franklin Gomez “the best” — in the country. Cael was USA Wrestling’s choice in 2012 as their Freestyle Coach of the Year. Jaime Espinal (84 kg/185 lbs.) Also representing Puerto Rico, CURRENT RESIDENT Jaime had a tremendous season ATHLETES in 2012 and won an Olympic Francisco Soler (74 kg/163 lbs.) Silver Medal at 84 kg. Jaime was a successful international wrestler Francisco is one of Puerto Rico’s before he started training with the young and talented middle weights. NLWC in 2010. However, with his He was a 2012 FILA Pan American tremendous attitude and with the Championships Qualifying Tourn- help of the NLWC training partners ament Silver Medalist, and he was and coaching staff, Jaime quickly a 2012 Olympian at 74 kg. developed into one of the top 84 kg competitors in the world. Mark McKnight 2 Jaime Espinal Jake Varner Les Sigman Jake Varner (96 kg/211.5 lbs.) Medalist under the coaching of Les Sigman (96 kg/211.5 lbs or A former 2x NCAA Champion the NLWC Regional Training 120 kg/264.5 lbs) and 4x All-American at Iowa Center Coaches Sanderson, A 4x NCAA Division II National State, Jake followed his Sanderson, and Cunningham, Champion in college, Les was the 2011 World Bronze Medal Jake sets an excellent example 2010 U.S. Open and World Team performance with a Gold Medal for his teammates and for the Trials Champion, and in 2012, placed at the 2012 Olympic Games. NLWC’s Collegiate and Scholastic 2nd in the U.S. Olympic Trials. He A tough competitor who Athletes. has consistently been one of the top developed into an Olympic Gold U.S. upper weights for several years. Note on Website News: We will produce a newsletter next June that summarize’s results of this seasons campaigns. Those who want more up-to-date reporting should check out Nick Fanthorpe’s: new NLWC website to “Get Fans and Supporters More Involved with Coaches, Managers, NLWC School Members and Resident Athletes – in Training and On The Road.” http://www. nittanylionwrestlingclub.com The Website also includes coaches and wrestler bios, schedules and results, competition photos and videos, and an on-line blog. The Text of USA Wrestling’s Choice of Cael as Their 2012 Freestyle Coach of the Year Award. Many of our readers already know This award is named after the late Sanderson is coach of the Nittany of Cael’s honor. Many of you, wrestling legend Terry McCann, a Lion Wrestling Club, which is located however, have probably not read 1960 Olympic champion wrestler. at Penn State University and is one of USA Wrestling’s text explaining McCann was a long-time coach with the most successful Regional Training their choice. the successful Mayor Daley Youth Centers in the nation. The Nittany Foundation club, which won numer- Lion WC is the full-time training lo- Cael Sanderson (State College, Pa./ ous national titles in freestyle and cation for a number of top Senior-lev- Nittany Lion WC) has been named Greco-Roman and produced champi- el men’s freestyle wrestlers, and also 2012 Freestyle Coach of the Year by on athletes for the United States. Mc- supports a strong age-group interna- USA Wrestling. It is the first time that Cann also served as USA Wrestling tional program. Sanderson has received this presti- President and a FILA Bureau member. gious award. 3 straight NCAA Div. I national title under Sanderson, led by three NCAA champions, Dan Hodge Trophy win- ner David Taylor at 165 lbs. and Frank Molinaro at 149 pounds and Ed Ruth at 174 pounds. In 2012, the Nittany Lions had six All-Americans. In his four years with the Nittany Li- ons, including the 2013 season, his team has won three NCAA titles and placed ninth in his first season. Sanderson’s coaching career began at his alma mater at Iowa State, where he was on the coaching staff in a variety of positions from 2003-06. In 2007, he was named head coach for Iowa State, and led the Cyclones for three seasons, winning conference titles each year and placing second, third and fifth in the NCAA Champi- onships team standings. Sanderson won a Olympic gold medal at 84 kg/185 lbs. in men’s freestyle at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He also won a silver medal at the 2003 World Championships held in New York, NY. Sanderson was also 2012 FreeStyle Coach of the Year, Penn State’s Coach Cael Sanderson a 2000 University World champion. He qualified for the 2001 and 2002 U.S.