Zavala Earns Gold Level Coaching Certification

Gregory Zavala reached the fourth and highest tier of USA Wrestling's National Coaches Education Program by earning his Gold Level Certification. Requirements for the Gold Level included completing 12 research tasks, teaching in the Coaches College, and instructing at a five-day training camp. Zavala also needed a Silver Level Certification and a USA Wrestling (USAW) membership to reach this advanced level. "Greg Zavala exemplifies the goals of USA Wrestling's National Coaches Education Program. He has worked hard in achieving each level within the program and has enhanced his education and skills as both a coach and motivator through the process. Greg has achieved USA Wrestling's highest level of certification through his desire and motivation to be the best possible wrestling coach he can," said Mark Scott, Director of State Services for USAW. "I personally commend Greg on setting an example for our many thousands of Copper, Bronze and Silver certified coaches to follow." To his credit, Zavala possesses over 30 years of coaching experience at the state, national, and international levels. At the state level, Zavala has directed the USA Stockton Wrestling Club. He has also coached the California Junior National Wrestling Team and served as exchange director for California USAW. Nationally, Zavala has acted as a USAW Greco-Roman World Team Scout. He lent his coaching expertise to the 2004 Greco Olympic Training Camp. Zavala served on the 1996 USA Greco-Roman Olympic Staff. From 1997-1998, Zavala held positions with the USA Greco-Roman World Team. Zavala's international coaching credentials involve participation in the USA Greco-Tour that competed in Russia during the mid 1990s. Zavala has held the title of Assistant Director of the Concord International Greco Tournament as well as tallied 18 years of service volunteering for the event. Through FILA, the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, he has coached at the Costa Rica Training Program and in Puerto Rico. In 1986, Zavala hosted wrestling clinics in Peru to promote a higher level of amateur training in the country. Zavala has received numerous awards, including Coach of the Year. In 2002, Zavala was inducted into the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame. Currently, Zavala coaches wrestling and soccer at Franklin High School in Stockton, CA. He has served on the USAW International Cultural Exchange Committee since 2003. Zavala graduated from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching Credentials. He received a Masters Degree from the University of San Francisco. A graduate of Edison High School, Zavala was a three-year member of the wrestling team. While attending the University of California at Davis, Zavala also wrestled from 1969-1972.