We’re only days away, but Greco athletes who’d like to sneak in under the wire and fit in a high-level camp before the holidays can still do so.
Beginning Monday at the Olympic Training Site on the campus of Northern Michigan University is the second annual NMU Winter Camp. Orchestrated by NMU coaches Rob Hermann and Andy Bisek, the week-long training excursion comes at a crucial time for American Greco-Roman competitors. The domestic schedule, already barren throughout the fall, won’t see its first event pop up on the calendar until the Dave Schultz Memorial in late-January. And because there is no Bill Farrell Memorial/NYAC Open this coming spring, NMU’s camp stands as the best opportunity for athletes to seek out serious prep work with different partners prior to the heightened competitive phase of the season.
Hermann’s idea for the camp is easy to grasp. It gives his wrestlers something to look forward to before the holiday break while also serving as a gap-filler for those from outside the NMU room who could use an uptick in their workload .
“Our main focus is to get some extra bodies in here, some different looks, and get some matches in before the guys get a break for the holidays,” Hermann said last month. “We don’t have a tournament this time of year so we’re trying to keep our guys busy.”
Last year’s NMU Winter Camp saw stars like recent World Team members RaVaughn Perkins (72 kg, NYAC) and Patrick Smith (77 kg, Minnesota Storm) participate. This time around, attendees can expect even more of a shark tank environment. For example. Olympians Ben Provisor (87 kg, NYAC/NLWC) and Robby Smith (130 kg, NYAC/Chicago RTC) are reportedly checking in along with the surging Joe Rau (87 kg, Chicago RTC). In addition, a sizable group from Army’s World Class Athletes Program as well as representatives from the Finger Lakes Wrestling Club and Williams Baptist College are also set to appear.
It goes without saying, but the names mentioned above will all be assimilating with the hefty numbers NMU’s program has at its daily disposal. 2018 Senior World Teamer Dalton Roberts (60 kg), U23 World Team member Randon Miranda (60 kg), 2014 University World bronze Sammy Jones (63 kg), Colin Schubert (72 kg), and U23 US World Team rep Carter Nielsen (82 kg) are among the 50+ Greco athletes who comprise Northern’s stout roster. Which means whoever shows up from a different training environment will have more than their fair share of talented partners to do battle with.
As of now, there are still a limited number of beds available. Athletes who attempt to register too late and find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to lodging will be directed towards suitable options off campus.
NMU Winter Camp 2018
Northern Michigan University — Marquette, Michigan
December 17th-21st (Travel days — December 16th and 22nd)
For more information, please contact:
Rob Hermann (NMU/OTS head coach) — phone: 850-261-1719; email: rhermann@nmu.edu
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