First-year Greg Carlson looks to start wrestling club on campus

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greg carlson, issue 16, Joe Evans, wrestling club, Sports - By Joe Evans on Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 01:51

Of the numerous sports that Whittier College has to offer its students, wrestling has not been one of them. This was surprising for many first-year students that participated in wrestling throughout their years in high school. First-year Greg Carlson decided to do something about this. “I have wrestled on the varsity level through all four years of high school, and I wanted to keep it up in college,” Carlson said. “Wrestling is a very satisfying and rewarding sport because it requires a lot of physical and mental training and determination.”

In years past, Whittier students have tried to band together and start a wrestling club, but due to lack of motivation or certain complications it eventually fell through.

“That fact gives me motivation to keep pushing towards organizing a wrestling club,” Carlson said. “I’ll keep trying until I graduate if I have to.”

Carlson has made progress in establishing a wrestling club. He has gathered a large group of students, both lower and upperclassmen, who share the same love for wrestling as he does. He has proposed their constitutions, signatures and all to the Leadership, Experience and Programs (LEAP) office, and even caught the interest of a high school wrestling coach, Mark Duquette, who would be willing to coach the students.

“The only thing we are waiting on now is for the LEAP office to approve of our constitution and then the club will be up and running,” Carlson said. “My goal for this wrestling club is to provide students who share the same interest in wrestling as I do a chance to continue it, and perhaps even set up some matches with wrestling teams from other colleges. The wrestling club will hopefully be up and running around the middle of the spring semester, so those interested should consider joining up as soon as possible.”

“If anyone is possibly interested in joining the wrestling club, even if you are a little skeptical, definitely come by and see what we are all about,” Carlson said. “Wrestling is not only a great way to get in shape, but it also makes you a healthier person and is a great sport.”

If anyone is interested in joining the wrestling club, even if it is just to check it out, contact Greg Carlson at (781) 799-8722.