DUBOIS – With the addition of wrestling to the line-up of Penn State DuBois athletic programs, area youngsters also have new opportunities to explore the sport. A wrestling camp has been offered this year as one of the Kids in College (KIC) sport camps.
\”The first time you do anything like this, there is always uncertainty,\” said head wrestling coach Matt Park. \”But we ended up with 35 kids in this camp, and that\’s really good for the first year.\”
The campers range in age from elementary to high school aged children. Park and other volunteers coach the wrestlers according to their age group and skill level.
\”We\’re trying to provide the basic skills, and then build upon that, but we want to make sure the basics are there first, then we can build on that according to their ability,\” said Park.
Park hopes the camp will give its participants a positive outlook on wrestling, and help cultivate interest in the sport. \”We try to make it fun, and at the same time teach them that it takes hard work and commitment to reach the higher levels of this sport,\” he said.
For these youngsters, reaching a higher level could mean returning to wrestle for Penn State DuBois one day. Park reports that the program is doing well so far, and that 25 wrestlers are already signed up for the team\’s first season.
Penn State DuBois also will host a USCAA Wrestling Championship in February.