Feb. 7, 2006

ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio University wrestling program will be hosting three camps in July geared towards all skill levels from kindergartners through 12th-graders, announced Bobcat head coach Joel Greenlee today.

A youth development camp for children in the kindergarten-to-5th-grade range and a technique camp for 4th-to-12th-graders will both be held July 17-20. The youth development camp will focus on developing basic wrestling skills and will help young wrestlers build a solid foundation for learning the sport. The technique camp will teach basic skills as well as advanced techniques for takedowns, pins, near falls, escapes, reversals and riding. Strength and conditioning, mental preparation and nutrition will also be covered.

On July 22-23, a parent/child weekend camp will give parents and their children between the ages of 4-11 a great chance to connect while learning fundamental wrestling skills at a pace suitable for a young child. Interactive games and drills will be introduced to help young wrestlers develop the balance and agility necessary for wrestling.

"In the past, we've held just basic technique camps but this year we're adding a development camp and parent/child weekend for younger kids," said Greenlee, a former two-time All-American currently in his ninth season of coaching at Ohio. "Our technique camp is geared more for junior high and high school kids preparing for upcoming seasons so it will feature training in the morning and competition in the afternoon."

Greenlee will serve as camp director for all three camps while Bobcat assistant coaches Kyle Hansen and Ozzie Saxon will fill the roles of camp technicians. Hansen was a two-time All-American at Northern Iowa and was a high school state champion in Iowa. Saxon, meanwhile, was a junior college national champion and two-time national runner-up at Division III Wartburg College who also won a state high school title while growing up in Washington.

Current and former Ohio wrestlers will also be on hand as camp counselors to help provide the individual attention needed to learn difficult skills and proper techniques.

All meals and overnight lodging will be in air-conditioned residence halls on Ohio University's campus. All camp sessions will be held in the Convocation Center, home of the Bobcat wrestling program.

For camp prices and registration forms, please click on the link at the top of this page.