Olympic wrestlers hone skills of youths

Published March 21, 2013
By Airman Tara A. Williamson
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- "Defense! Offense! Defense! Offense!"

Army Capt. Phillip Simpson, All-Army wrestling team member, based out of Fort Carson, Colo., and hailing from Nashville, Tenn., called out each position to more than 45 boys who would drop to the mats and scramble right back up.

Children ages six to 18, from Virginia, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, received a unique opportunity to learn different techniques from Olympic-class athletes during a wrestling clinic held at Griffith Field House, March 16, 2013, here.

"It's a great opportunity to see the great wrestling and the rivalry among the services and the skills, but then you get on the mat with them and they teach you and talk to you about what it takes to be a champion and what it takes to be successful at the Olympic level," said Floyd Winter, 87th Force Support Squadron sports and fitness director, originally from Porterville, Calif., and prior All-Army wrestler himself. "As a parent or a coach, you can't buy that. They're going to see it, then they're going to show them how to do it."

Winter asked the Army coach to assist with the clinic because they have several Olympians and national champions. The team was more than happy to help, he said.

Talking to the wrestlers about the clinic, Winter said they understand giving back to the sport they put so much work into and how much the children look up to them. It means a lot to the wrestlers, he said, that they can help out the children.

The clinic was only advertised to high school students when first announced. However, Winter was asked by parents to reconsider allowing younger children to participate.

Army Capt. Peter Whitney, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion air operations officer here, has a 9-year-old son, Shane, who showed interest and requested Winter to allow younger children to come out as well.

"They originally put it up for high school students," said Whitney. "I asked if they'd allow junior wrestlers between the ages of six and 13 out here and he was very welcoming and let us bring our rec kids out here."

Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael Carey, Maritime Civil Affairs Security Training Command team chief, said it was great to have his son Aiden, 10, and the other kids coached by Olympians and champions in a sport they love.

The children see the military aspect on a daily basis. It was eye-opening for them to see real wrestling matches and then get taught by those same professional athletes on a personal level, Carey said. "It was good for them all. It's good to see them out there with our fellow brothers."

Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Cabosky, 87th Force Support Squadron commander, stated leadership had talked about hosting events like the tournament and clinic. He had no reservations about bringing the tournament and clinic to the joint base and knew when Winter brought it up, it would be a great success.

"I think this is the perfect place, here on the joint base, to have an armed forces tournament," said Cabosky. "We're a joint base, we have all services represented day in and day out. What better place to have an armed forces tournament?"

The tournament drew a crowd of joint base service members, competitors family members and children interested in cheering for their service or simply to enjoy the opportunity to attend a higher capacity sporting event in their area.

The boys are not going to get this experience at a recreation center, in town or in a local club, said Whitney. The kids could see the highest level in a sport not as popular on television as others.

Attending a clinic with three Olympians assisting kids is a rarity, said Winter. If any parent finds the opportunity, it would normally cost them a couple hundred dollars.

The children had smiles on their faces for hours as they learned from professionals who were motivated about working personally with them.

"It's the epitome of the sport out here," said Whitney. "You also have to take into account that they're fellow members of the military. It makes me proud to have my son out there with them."