College wrestlers set to take 10-day tour of culture, competition in China

Jason Bryant NWCA/InterMat
06/10/2005

Manheim, Pa. – Duke University wrestling coach Clar Anderson and Eastern Michigan University wrestling coach Charlie Branch are leading the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s All-Star Tour set for Beijing, China, June 13-22. The event takes a group of college wrestlers for a cultural exchange tour to the site of the 2008 Olympic Games and will give them as many as six dual meet competitions against some of China’s toughest wrestlers in freestyle wrestling. In addition to wrestling, the coaches and wrestlers will take tours of China’s top historical and cultural sights like the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City. “I think it’s a great mix of culture and wrestling,” Branch said. “You want to get some good competition against some of the better university-level kids in the world.” Seven Division I wrestling programs have wrestlers represented on the 2005 team, including one each from Anderson’s Duke and Branch’s Eastern Michigan teams. Pittsburgh’s Drew Headlee and Ron Tarquinio are accomplished freestyle wrestlers, as is Duke’s Frank Cornely. The Citadel’s Sean Markey and Travis Piccard will make the trip, as will a trio of Princeton wrestlers, led by NCAA qualifier Jake Butler. The other two Princeton grapplers are Marty Everin and Alex Enriquez. Franklin & Marshall’s Mike Parziale, Wyoming’s Malcolm Havens and Eastern Michigan’s Nick Conklin will also make the trip. “The trip is going to be incredible because we’ll deal with pretty talented athletes in a different culture,” Anderson said. “(Coaching this team) is an honor and privilege that I don’t take lightly.” The purpose of these trips are to promote the educational value of the sport of wrestling,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “By sending our teams abroad, they not only have the educational experience and the cultural experience and have the opportunity to compete with the top wrestlers in the world.” Anderson has competed and coached traveling teams before to Mongolia, the former Soviet Union and its former republics and much of Eastern Europe. Branch is also excited about the opportunity. “The purpose is to go over there and wrestle tough competition and do well,” Branch said. “It meshes with my goals as a young coach -- be in as many arenas as I can and coach and train all levels of athletes.” The U.S. contingent will face off with the Chinese Army Club, one of the stronger teams and several university clubs. “We’re going to face their toughest and then the kids on the level as ours,” Anderson said. “We’ll have some success and have some guys that will be challenged by better wrestlers.” While some aren’t as versed in freestyle as others, Branch points out it’s more than just about wrestling. “Anytime you go overseas, you’re representing your country, period,” he said. “You’re representing your country and you want to go over there and send a message that we have the best university level wrestlers in the world.” Chances to see ancient Chinese historical sights are also fresh on the minds of Branch and Anderson. “It could be incredibly transforming in their lives,” Anderson said. “It will be eye-opening to see 1.2 billion people. The masses of the people, the government and its citizens, the value of life and the standard of living.” “It’s a great opportunity for those that want to go,” Branch said. The trip is also important to the host country. “They (China) are gearing up for the 2008 Olympics, and everything they do now, they try to set the stage for,” Anderson said. “From improving the venue and improving their chances to place.” “This whole thing is about continuing to develop kids to accomplish the ultimate in our sport,” Branch said. The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate programs. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling. The NWCA, through its organizational structure, promotes communication, recognizes achievement, recommends rules and regulations, sponsors events, and serves as an educational and informational source. Additionally, the NWCA strives to foster the sportsmanship and integrity that are the cornerstones of athletic competition.