Clarion Area Elementary Wrestling Sign-Ups, Meet The Team Night, And Clinic Set (11/05/15)

(By Coach Dave Smail)

Every year for the elementary program we have signups and “Meet The Team” on the same night. This year we have changed things up a little, signups are going to be a week earlier and separate from the first night. This year we also have a special guest who is going to conduct the clinic on Nov. 17th. Retired Hall of Fame Coach Craig Turnbull of WVU Wrestling, see article below.

Join the Clarion Area Elementary Wrestling Team!

For children in grades 1st – 6th. Open to students of all Clarion County Elementary Schools.

The Clarion Wrestling Club would like to invite all children in grades 1st through 6th from elementary schools located in Clarion County to participate in the Clarion elementary wrestling program. This year we are having Sign Ups Nights, please bring the registrations to one of the following sign up nights:
Clarion Limestone Elementary – November 10th – 6 – 7:30 pm
Clarion Elementary – November 11th – 6 – 7:30 pm

If you cannot make it to one of the sign ups, Please mail in registration form and check to: Clarion Area High School, c/o Lee Weber, 219 Liberty St., Clarion, PA 16214 by November 13, 2015.

Cost: $30/child or $50/family. This will help cover the cost for t-shirts, singlets, coaching instructions, awards, clinic, Novice tournament and Clarion elementary tournament entry fee. Please make checks out to “Clarion Wrestling Booster Club.” Elementary parents are expected to help out at Three (3) wrestling tournaments. Please call David Smail at 229-1268 or Lee Weber at 319-2926 for information. *See other side for important dates and insurance form.

Elementary wrestling will be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience for your child. The program will teach basic wrestling moves to the beginner as well as focus on building skills for more experienced wrestlers. Also many games and drills will be done to better develop your child’s coordination and strength. Wrestling also builds self-esteem and character as well as agility and overall body conditioning. Each practice session will also include a brief lecture period stressing the values and importance of good sportsmanship.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Checks made out to: “Clarion Wrestling Booster Club ” by November 13th, 2015.
$30/child or $50/family

Important Dates: All practices are at Clarion Area High School “Meet the Team” night – Tuesday, November 17 – 6:00-7:30 PM – All wrestlers and at least one parent should attend this important event. There will be an elementary clinic and important information will be provided. Wrestlers should wear shorts, t-shirt, and clean shoes.

Insurance forms will be available at clinic. November 13th – Registration form & check due.
Official Practices: First day of practice is Tue., Dec. 1, 2015. Last day is Jan. 29, 2016. Junior Olympic season –Feb. 1 -March 12. Tues./Thur. Practices.

Calendar for the year will be handed out during the first week of practice! Call David Smail 229-1268 or Lee Weber at 319-2926 for information.

Registration Form pdf

ARTICLE ON COACH TURNBULL

From an earlier article (edited) from the PIAA Hall of Fame induction (he has been inducted into 4 Hall of Fames):

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 19, 2014) – Coach Craig Turnbull of the West Virginia University wrestling program has been named to the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2014.

“I am very humbled and proud to be recognized by one of the finest wrestling states in the country,” says Turnbull. “This recognition is shared by all of the outstanding men that have worked with me, including Mark Cagle, Bill Bailey (Clarion), Nate Carr, Zeke Jones, Greg Jones, Cary Kolat, Tony Robie and all of the young men that I have had the privilege of working with over the years.”

At the annual fall meeting of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association (PWCA) held in October 2013, the executive board elected 13 former wrestlers, coaches and contributors to be inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Over the past 35 years, Turnbull has built WVU into one of the nation’s finest collegiate wrestling programs. The four-time Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) Coach of the Year has mentored five NCAA champions, coached 26 of the program’s 29 All-Americans, 42 EWL champions and more than 160 NCAA Tournament qualifiers.

Turnbull is the seventh winningest active coach with 285 victories as well as 12 top-25 finishes at the NCAA Championships. Turnbull’s most successful wrestler was three-time NCAA champion Greg Jones, who now serves as the Mountaineers’ associate head coach. Jones’ brother Vertus, was the program’s first three-time NCAA All-American (1998-2000). Scott Collins (1991) and Dean Morrison (1994) also wrestled to national championships under Turnbull’s tutelage.

Turnbull was a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state qualifier while competing for Iroquois High School and competed at Clarion University for Hall of Fame coach Bob Bubb.

Craig retired in 2014 after 36 years as the coach.