LVAC changes name to Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club and adds athletes
Share:
by Denny Diehl, LVWC
Zach Rey, shown at the 2015 World Team Trials, is a member of the Freestyle National Team at 125 kg/275 lbs. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors.
NEW: The 16-year old Lehigh Valley Athletic Club will now compete under the name Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club (LVWC). The change to include “wrestling” in our name was made in June to enhance the Club’s recognition and acknowledge our major focus on one sport.
CURRENT EVENTS: On top of major boosts in individual financial pledges, a superb new corporate initiative led by Mike Caruso (LU trustee ’67) has generated significant interest. St. Luke’s University Health Network (eastern PA’s largest provider of sports medicine services) will partner with LVWC to sponsor resident athletes. Another major announcement is due this Fall.
LVAC standout Zach Rey made the 2015 U.S. National Team, the second LU alumnus (with former LVAC athlete/coach Jason Kutz) since 1984 Olympic champion, Bobby Weaver. Ranked second in the USA behind World medalist Tervel Dlagnev, Rey has won three Pan Am golds and three Cerro Pelado titles in Cuba. Zach has benefited by training with three nationally ranked LVAC athletes, including 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco. Rey and the LVAC helped recruit Boyertown’s Cadet World silver Jordan Wood (220, PA 2,2,1), who’ll enroll at Lehigh next August.
QUICK CLUB HISTORY: The LVAC was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1999. First clinic: 2000.The Club was co-founded by then Olympic coach, Greg Strobel, and U.S. Olympic alternate, Pat Santoro. First employee: from 2000-05, two-time Olympian, Kerry McCoy; another LVAC World Team member was former resident, Keith Gavin. Other current LVAC weights: former NCAA Top 2’s Robert Hamlin (185) and Dave Zabriskie (211) who placed in the 2014 National Open, as did NCAA 2nd Nate Brown (185) this year, a remarkable feat for a college junior.
Head Club Coach since 2014: Jeff Buxton, one of the nation’s greatest-ever prep coaches and NJ’s freestyle coach. Many top high school youth participate in LVAC workouts run by Buxton. Great coaches, a great venue and a top new training facility opened in 2013 are all part of the ongoing excitement.
--Coach Overseer: Pat Santoro
--Head Club Coach: Jeff Buxton
--Resident Athletes (freestyle): Zach Rey (264); Dave Zabriskie (214); Robert Hamlin (189); LU Volunteer Coach, Jarrod Garnett (121).
--Soon to be named (ranked in Greco): Santiago Martinez (165)
--Clinic Director: Jon Trenge
NEW: The 16-year old Lehigh Valley Athletic Club will now compete under the name Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club (LVWC). The change to include “wrestling” in our name was made in June to enhance the Club’s recognition and acknowledge our major focus on one sport.
CURRENT EVENTS: On top of major boosts in individual financial pledges, a superb new corporate initiative led by Mike Caruso (LU trustee ’67) has generated significant interest. St. Luke’s University Health Network (eastern PA’s largest provider of sports medicine services) will partner with LVWC to sponsor resident athletes. Another major announcement is due this Fall.
LVAC standout Zach Rey made the 2015 U.S. National Team, the second LU alumnus (with former LVAC athlete/coach Jason Kutz) since 1984 Olympic champion, Bobby Weaver. Ranked second in the USA behind World medalist Tervel Dlagnev, Rey has won three Pan Am golds and three Cerro Pelado titles in Cuba. Zach has benefited by training with three nationally ranked LVAC athletes, including 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco. Rey and the LVAC helped recruit Boyertown’s Cadet World silver Jordan Wood (220, PA 2,2,1), who’ll enroll at Lehigh next August.
QUICK CLUB HISTORY: The LVAC was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1999. First clinic: 2000.The Club was co-founded by then Olympic coach, Greg Strobel, and U.S. Olympic alternate, Pat Santoro. First employee: from 2000-05, two-time Olympian, Kerry McCoy; another LVAC World Team member was former resident, Keith Gavin. Other current LVAC weights: former NCAA Top 2’s Robert Hamlin (185) and Dave Zabriskie (211) who placed in the 2014 National Open, as did NCAA 2nd Nate Brown (185) this year, a remarkable feat for a college junior.
Head Club Coach since 2014: Jeff Buxton, one of the nation’s greatest-ever prep coaches and NJ’s freestyle coach. Many top high school youth participate in LVAC workouts run by Buxton. Great coaches, a great venue and a top new training facility opened in 2013 are all part of the ongoing excitement.
--Coach Overseer: Pat Santoro
--Head Club Coach: Jeff Buxton
--Resident Athletes (freestyle): Zach Rey (264); Dave Zabriskie (214); Robert Hamlin (189); LU Volunteer Coach, Jarrod Garnett (121).
--Soon to be named (ranked in Greco): Santiago Martinez (165)
--Clinic Director: Jon Trenge
Read More#
U.S. pushes all five men’s freestyle wrestlers to semifinals on day one of U20 World Championships
Hafizov claims silver medal in Greco-Roman at German Grand Prix in Dortmund
Hafizov to go for gold medal in Greco-Roman at German Grand Prix in Dortmund
Lockett wins gold, Villasenor gets bronze, USA places second at U17 World Championships in men’s freestyle
