WEst Ottawa Wrestlers Learn From the Best

PICTURED (LEFT TO RIGHT: Dan Gable with Ethan Curtin ('16), J. Robinson with Jace Garza ('17), Jeff Jordan with Ethan Garcia ('17)

Panther Wrestlers SCOUR the Country for the best training.

HOLLAND, MI

Panther wrestlers went on a veritable world tour this summer in an attempt to hone their craft. Through their own efforts they had the opportunity to meet and learn form some legends of the sport of heavy hitters in the industry. ​

Jace Garza ('17) kicked off his summer training at the world famous J Robinson 14 Day Intensive Training Camp held at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania June 19-July 2nd. J Robinson Intensive Camps are known as the most challenging and life-changing wrestling camps in the country.Through 4 workouts a day, the camp includes technical skill sessions, live wrestling, drilling, running, weight lifting, and cross-training. The camp's namesake is after J Robinson, the head coach for the University of Minnesota. Regarded as one of the top coaches in the country by student-athletes and peers, Robinson has also been involved in coaching on the national and international level. He served as an assistant coach on four consecutive U.S. Olympic squads - 1976, 1980, 1984 and 1988 - and was the head coach for the United States at the 1983 Pan American Games. As a wrestler, Robinson competed on two World teams, placing fourth in 1970 and fifth in 1971. He represented the United States in the 1972 Olympic Games and was named to WIN Magazine's All-Olympic team of the century. Robinson captured four national titles during his amateur career, two in freestyle and two in Greco-Roman. Jace is will be a senior for the Panthers this winter.

Ethan Curtin ('16) competed in the 2016 ASICS/Vaughan Cadet and Junior National Championships held in Fargo, ND this July 16-23. Curtin was earned his spot on the national team from Michigan at the 121lbs weight class. He competed in the freestyle division only, and had matches against nationally ranked wrestlers, including Greco-Roman national champion from Oklahoma Dalton Duffield. While he was in Fargo, Curtin had the opportunity to meet with wrestling legend Dan Gable. Coach Gable is best known for his tenure as head coach at the University of Iowa where he won 15 NCAA team titles between 1976 and 1997. He is also famous for having only lost one match in his entire Iowa State University collegiate career – his last – and winning a gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, while not giving up a single point. Ethan will be wrestling for Michigan State this winter.

Ethan Garcia ('17) spent a week at the Jeff Jordan State Champ Camp in Urbana, OH July 31-August 4. Garcia learned some great technique in a room full of high level athletes from all over the United States. Jeff Jordan during high school captured four Ohio High School State Titles. His high school record was 159-1; the best four year record in the history of Ohio wrestling. During his college wrestling career he was a 2x NCAA All-American and a Big Ten Champ. Ethan will be a senior for the Panthers this winter.

Keenan Montoya ('16) flew down with a Michigan contingency in Houston, TX for the 2016 AUU Jr. Olympics this August 1-5. Held at George R. Brown Convention Center, wrestlers from all over the U.S. were on hand to compete.This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the AAU Junior Olympics.  Keenan competed in a meat grinder of  tournament, wrestling 15 matches and wining the majority of them at 182lbs. Montoya will be wrestling for Elmhurst College in Illinois this fall.

These wrestlers all set the tone for the rest of the program and elevate #pantherstyle wrestling to a whole new echelon. Almost every wrestler in the program also found time and energy to put into not only themselves but the team as well. Congratulations to all the have worked hard this off-season and will continue to do so.