By CHAD COOPER, [email protected]
Wrestlers from across the region gathered at Grundy High School June 15-18 for the annual Grundy Wrestling Club Summer Wrestling Camp, a four-day event that brought nationally recognized instructors and collegiate standouts to Buchanan County.
The GWC camp has grown into one of the premier youth wrestling camps in the region, attracting wrestlers of all ages and skill levels while providing high-level instruction free of charge.
Leading the list of camp clinicians was Chris Marshall, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and one of the nation’s most respected youth wrestling instructors. Marshall was joined by former Grundy standout Wyatt Bush, a four-time VHSL state champion, two-time All-American and current wrestler at NCAA Division I Bloomsburg University.
This year’s camp instructors include veteran clinician Ethan Smith, a former two-time collegiate All-American at Ohio State. Also present are Carson Griffey, a three-time VHSL state champion from Grundy now competing at Reinhardt University, and Bryce Looney, a former Grundy state champion and member of the University of Pikeville men’s wrestling team.
Throughout the week, the instructors work with campers on wrestling fundamentals, technique, positioning, live drilling and match strategy, while sharing lessons learned from their own wrestling careers.
Daily sessions were divided by age group, with pre-kindergarten through second-grade wrestlers training in the morning, thirdthrough fifth-grade wrestlers participating during the late morning, and middle school and high school wrestlers attending afternoon sessions.
The camp provided young wrestlers with an opportunity to sharpen their skills during the offseason while learning from collegiate athletes. Participants received instruction in takedowns, escapes, riding techniques and mat awareness while also emphasizing discipline, work ethic and sportsmanship.
Organizers said the camp was designed to give local athletes access to elite instruction at no cost, allowing wrestlers from throughout Southwest Virginia to improve their skills and gain valuable experience before returning to competition later this year.
The camp will conclude on June 18 with a pig roast and alumni gathering at Poplar Gap Park. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be open to all Grundy Wrestling Club alumni and anyone who has contributed to the program’s success over the years, including former athletes, parents, coaches and supporters. Organizers encouraged attendees to reconnect, share memories and celebrate the tradition and legacy of Grundy wrestling.
