Lebanon High Wrestling Camp again thriving with help of college stars
Last year, Lebanon High wrestling coach Vaughn Black boldly endeavored to go where no local high school sports camp had ever gone before.
Not only would Black and the Cedars host an instructional camp for local youngsters, he would bring in some of the sport's top amateur champions to serve as instructors and counselors.
The inaugural camp last year was a rousing success, drawing over 100 wrestlers to hear and learn from a star-studded roster of amateur stars, including former Penn State NCAA champion Aaron Brooks.
The second edition of the camp got underway Friday and will run through Sunday. Brooks was again in attendance, leading the first session Friday morning and was followed later in the day by former Illinois All-American and current University of Pennsylvania assistant coach BJ Futrell and Brooks' PSU teammate, two-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci.
Still to appear are former PIAA state champ and Ohio State All-American Kenny Courts, also a 2021 attendee, and current and former Penn Staters Max Dean, Greg Kervliet and Ed Ruth, who now competes in MMA.
Between the group, they've won 8 national championships, giving them instant credibility among campers.
"It was awesome being able to do it for a second year in a row," Black said. "It was nice again being able to pull the top guys in their weight class in the country for a second time. Hopefully it's a yearly thing.
"The guys that were here last year had a good time with the kids. The previous year they were like, 'Hey, reach out to us and let us know. We definitely enjoyed working with the kids you had last year.'"
The ultimate goal, though, is making sure those kids are having a good time, and in that the camp seems to be a success again this year, although the total turnout is down to 83-84 campers.
"The goal more so is to bring opportunity to our local community," Black said. "And hopefully as many people as possible can take advantage of that. I think it's really important to continue the growth. When we see the top guys coming to the area to do camps and clinics it definitely motivates the kids to work a little bit harder. It's something they can relate to, 'You're not that much older than me and look at where you're at already. I can do that, too.'"
This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon High Wrestling Camp again thriving with help of college stars
