thedrifter
10-01-07, 03:17 PM
Marines show their moves
By LESLIE HUNT Staff Writer
Subscribe to the Maryland Gazette
There's more to being a Marine than fighting in a war. That was the message the members of the All- Marine wrestling team wanted to deliver during a free clinic for high school wrestlers last Saturday.
Three members of the All Marine wrestling team held a four-hour demonstration and practice clinic for county high school wrestlers in the gym at Severna Park High School.
Although it was put together at the last minute, the Marines had an opportunity to show off their skills to 25 freshman and sophomore wrestlers from almost each high school in the county.
"We wanted to show them that there are other opportunities in the military," said Staff Sgt. Maurice Carter who works at the Marine recruitment office in Glen Burnie.
"Everybody thinks they go to infantry then they go to Iraq. There are other things besides war," he said. "We also wanted to try to help the county wrestling teams."
Sgt. Carter added that the parents that stayed and watched were impressed and "didn't know we did this."
Wrestling coach Paul Joyce of Severna Park High School was instrumental in spreading the word to fellow coaches in the county via e-mail. Coach Joyce hosted the clinic at Severna Park.
"The intent was to not only share their knowledge and teach them new moves, it was also to demonstrate to the young wrestlers that the Marines don't just get shipped off to serve in the war.
"This is a great opportunity for these kids, especially for the one's who were not able to make it to camp," Joyce said. "Plenty of other kids are still thinking about the beach, but we are going to wrestle. The early bird gets the worm."
The three Marines went over take down and submission moves and techniques to counter attacks. "The purpose of the clinic was to give students a class and let them know that there are wrestling opportunities in the Marines," said Sgt. Jimmy Bention, marketing and public affairs chief at the recruiting station in Baltimore.
There are 15 Marines on the professional team, traveling throughout the country competing against colleges and other branches of service. Next month the team will travel to India to participate in a preliminary event that would determine their ranking and could lead to participation in the next Olympics.
The wrestlers went over techniques in groups after and then were allowed two-minute drills to practice.
"The purpose of the clinic was to teach the wrestlers some techniques to improve their game and teach them something about the Marine Corps," said Sgt. Bention.
"Many kids don't know that you can wrestle in the Marine Corps," said Sgt. Jeremy McLean a wrestler in the Marines 132 lb. weight class. "A lot of kids think that we are just trigger pullers and holding forums like this one really broaden their view of the Marine Corps."
During the camp, the Marines taught the students take down moves and showed them how to counter their opponent. Then they allowed the students to practice each move and made sure that they were doing them right.
"It's great, I love teaching kids who want to learn. I mean it's Saturday and these kids are out here. You can't beat that," said Sgt. David Arendt who wrestles at the 120kg (264 Ibs) weight class.
One of the points the Marines wanted to drive home is that even though the Greco (Roman) style may not be the most popular in the United States, it is the most popular in the world.
"I wanted to let the kids know that the Marine Corps wrestling team is on a higher level than most universities, and that they will be part of a world class organization is the were to join the Marines," said McLean.
The All Marine wrestlers are hoping to hold another clinic for young wrestlers when the season begins in November.
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Lhunt@capitalgazette.com
Ellie
By LESLIE HUNT Staff Writer
Subscribe to the Maryland Gazette
There's more to being a Marine than fighting in a war. That was the message the members of the All- Marine wrestling team wanted to deliver during a free clinic for high school wrestlers last Saturday.
Three members of the All Marine wrestling team held a four-hour demonstration and practice clinic for county high school wrestlers in the gym at Severna Park High School.
Although it was put together at the last minute, the Marines had an opportunity to show off their skills to 25 freshman and sophomore wrestlers from almost each high school in the county.
"We wanted to show them that there are other opportunities in the military," said Staff Sgt. Maurice Carter who works at the Marine recruitment office in Glen Burnie.
"Everybody thinks they go to infantry then they go to Iraq. There are other things besides war," he said. "We also wanted to try to help the county wrestling teams."
Sgt. Carter added that the parents that stayed and watched were impressed and "didn't know we did this."
Wrestling coach Paul Joyce of Severna Park High School was instrumental in spreading the word to fellow coaches in the county via e-mail. Coach Joyce hosted the clinic at Severna Park.
"The intent was to not only share their knowledge and teach them new moves, it was also to demonstrate to the young wrestlers that the Marines don't just get shipped off to serve in the war.
"This is a great opportunity for these kids, especially for the one's who were not able to make it to camp," Joyce said. "Plenty of other kids are still thinking about the beach, but we are going to wrestle. The early bird gets the worm."
The three Marines went over take down and submission moves and techniques to counter attacks. "The purpose of the clinic was to give students a class and let them know that there are wrestling opportunities in the Marines," said Sgt. Jimmy Bention, marketing and public affairs chief at the recruiting station in Baltimore.
There are 15 Marines on the professional team, traveling throughout the country competing against colleges and other branches of service. Next month the team will travel to India to participate in a preliminary event that would determine their ranking and could lead to participation in the next Olympics.
The wrestlers went over techniques in groups after and then were allowed two-minute drills to practice.
"The purpose of the clinic was to teach the wrestlers some techniques to improve their game and teach them something about the Marine Corps," said Sgt. Bention.
"Many kids don't know that you can wrestle in the Marine Corps," said Sgt. Jeremy McLean a wrestler in the Marines 132 lb. weight class. "A lot of kids think that we are just trigger pullers and holding forums like this one really broaden their view of the Marine Corps."
During the camp, the Marines taught the students take down moves and showed them how to counter their opponent. Then they allowed the students to practice each move and made sure that they were doing them right.
"It's great, I love teaching kids who want to learn. I mean it's Saturday and these kids are out here. You can't beat that," said Sgt. David Arendt who wrestles at the 120kg (264 Ibs) weight class.
One of the points the Marines wanted to drive home is that even though the Greco (Roman) style may not be the most popular in the United States, it is the most popular in the world.
"I wanted to let the kids know that the Marine Corps wrestling team is on a higher level than most universities, and that they will be part of a world class organization is the were to join the Marines," said McLean.
The All Marine wrestlers are hoping to hold another clinic for young wrestlers when the season begins in November.
---
Lhunt@capitalgazette.com
Ellie