Major Step Forward: Same Program, New Name, Introducing Central Clarion Wildcats Wrestling!!!!

on 11 September, 2023 at 19:06

Above: Central Clarion Wildcats Logo designed by Clarion Area Alum Karl Jacobson

There is a major change taking place in the local wrestling co-op effective this coming 2023-2024 season.

The co-op, which for years been the Clarion Bobcat wrestling team, will now be the Central Clarion Wildcats, falling line with Central Clarion Wildcats Football program.

The team will still continue to wrestle at Clarion Area High School, where the wrestling room has been going through some big changes.

Head Coach Braun Gourley explained, “It was a natural transition as we move forward with renovating the wrestling room. There has been discussion on transitioning all co-op sports and given this project, it seemed like a natural fit to do it this year.”

The co-op currently includes Clarion Area, Clarion-Limestone, North Clarion and Keystone. Student/Athletes who are homeschooled or attend charter and/or charter schools, who live within the confines of those districts are also eligible to compete in the co-op.

Clarion Area Superintendent Dr. Joe Carrico and Clarion Area, now Central Clarion Head Coach Braun Gourley shared a lot of background information on this historic move ahead.

“The benefit of a new name and logo is that it promotes a regional thought process. We were comfortable with the program being the Bobcats, but we have seen a lot of buy in with the Wildcats theme. Again, as we renovated, this seemed like a good time. The wrestlers seem really excited about the transition as well.”

Does the new name seem to be being received well with coaches, wrestlers, parents etc.?

Dr. Carrico shared, “The students, parents, school boards, etc. are all very comfortable with the change. They have seen it with football, marching band, cheerleading, softball and wrestling would be a logical next step.”

About how many wrestlers do you expect this season? Are there any girls and will they wrestle in Wildcats matches? Are you planning on getting them involved with the county-wide travel team Redbank Valley is hoping to have in place this season and your hopes for that venture?

There have been no specific or in depth conversations about girls teams. Girls are welcome to wrestle with the Wildcats boys team. “(Recently graduated) Chesney Boggess is a good example of a competitive wrestler in recent years. Girls wrestling is just now taking off as a PIAA recognized sport so there will be lots of movement and evolution over the next few years.” Chesney also wrestled in Girls’ competition last year.

Coach Gourley shared his enthusiasm for the direction the program is heading, “We hope to have 20 Varsity wrestlers this year and 20 Junior High wrestlers. Last year our Youth Program had approximately 50 wrestlers. We hope to grow those numbers next year.

“The renovated wrestling room and new uniforms for the program should bring more excitement to the growing program.

“I personally feel that our program is growing in a very healthy way. Our vision is sustainability. The opportunity exists for us to become a very good program, not only regionally, but across the Commonwealth. Our numbers appear to be growing, which is rare in the high school wrestling realm, and we have a tremendous feeder program.

“Iron sharpens Iron – so the more wrestling and the better quality of wrestling we can get, the better we will become!”

How can you help the Central Clarion Wildcats Wrestlers with this great step forward?

The Central Clarion Wildcats Wrestling Boosters are currently running two big fundraisers. The first is T-shirt sales, from which the Booster Club will receive $12.50 for each shirt sold, which will go toward the purchase of new uniforms for all wrestlers Pre-K through 12th grade. The second is for special sponsorships at various levels: Pin Club Level – $1,000, Near Fall Level – $500-$999, Take Down Level – $250-$499 and Escape Level $100-$249. With the sponsorships the contributors receive T-Shirts and various sizes of adds in the Match programs. This is a great way for businesses, groups and individuals to contribute.

More information on all both these fundraisers, as well as a T-Shirt order form is included in this release by the Central Clarion Wildcats Wrestling Team and the Central Clarion Wrestling Booster Club (Feel free to contact them with any questions):

We hope this letter finds you well. As we begin the new school year in Clarion County, we are excited to share the news of the newly formed wrestling co-op with Clarion Area, Clarion-Limestone, North Clarion, and Keystone school districts. Our wrestling co-op will now be known as the Central Clarion Wildcats.

With this new co-op, there is a need for new uniforms and equipment. We are reaching out to our dedicated parents, alumni and businesses within the community for support. Your generosity will make a significant impact on the wrestlers in our program. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to purchase new uniforms for all wrestlers in our program. This includes wrestlers from Pre-K through 12th grade. We are currently asking for monetary donations to reach this goal.

The Central Clarion Wildcat Wrestling program has been growing rapidly over the past three years. We currently have approximately 60-70 wrestlers. After many years of requests to the Clarion Area School District, our practice room is also being renovated this fall with new mats and many other items that will greatly benefit wrestlers of all ages and ability levels.

If you would like to donate, please send your check to:

Central Clarion Wrestling

Attn: David Smail, Central Clarion Wrestling Booster Secretary

116 Crestmont Drive

Shippenville, PA 16254

We are also selling Central Clarion Wildcat T-shirts to raise money. The T-shirts are $25 each. The booster club will make $12.50 a shirt. If you would like to order shirts, please fill out the order form on reverse side and email to David Smail (dsmail1268@gmail.com) by October 1, 2023 or you can click on the link in this letter and order more.

We value your continued support and thank you in advance for considering a donation to the Central Clarion Wrestling Team.

Best Wishes,

Braun Gourley Varsity Head Coach

Central Clarion Wrestling Booster Club: Randy Boggess – President; Rob Powell – Vice-President; James Edmonds – Treasurer; David A. Smail – Secretary

Central Clarion Wildcat Donation Levels

Please select donation level

Make checks payable to: Central Clarion Wrestling Booster Club

Pin Club Level – $1000+

Two Wildcat wrestling T shirts
Full Page Ad in program for all home matches
(1) Home Match Sponsorship

Near Fall Level – $500 – $999

Two Wildcat wrestling T shirts
Half Page Ad in program for all home matches

Takedown Level – $250 – $499

One Wildcat wrestling T shirt
Quarter Page Ad in program for all home matches

Escape Level – $100 – $249

One Wildcat T shirt
1/8 Page Ad in Program for all home matches

Please support this fundraiser by purchasing more T-shirts from All American Awards and Engraving.

The Wildcat Booster Club makes $12.50 for each shirt purchased.

Central Clarion Wildcats Wrestling – All AmericanHQ

https://allamericanhq.com/central-clarion-wildcats-wrestling/ Central Clarion Wrestling

(Congratulations to the Central Clarion Wrestling Program on this historic move forward!!!! LET’S GO, WILDCATS!!!!)

(Note: Wildcats Assistant Coach posted this: A few big steps taken for our program recently! Any girls or boys within our co op who might be interested in wrestling, you can message our social media for more information as there are already practices going on in town!)