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Passing Along Their Wrestling Knowledge

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By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - River Ridge coach Russ Schenk looked to his right, at the wall in his office on the second level of the Jim Valentine Athletic Complex.

The search was prompted by a conversation with Brandon wrestling coach Russ Cozart. The two wondered if Cozart's picture was anywhere in the sea of photos and articles on Schenk's wall.

In a matter of seconds, aiming with his right index finger, Schenk pointed to an inconspicuous 4-by-6-inch photo depicting a semicircle of wrestlers who participated in a tournament in France several years ago.

The two have seen it all as wrestlers and coaches, and it's that well of knowledge that Schenk and Cozart, along with fellow clinicians Sean Peterson and Jeremiah Lowe, are aiming to pass on to the campers at the World Class Wrestling Clinic being held at River Ridge High until Friday.

"It's just like Coach Cozart said, he really spoke to the kids a lot about, you're never going to be rich from this sport," Schenk said. "You're never going to be rich, but you know what, you're going to be able to accomplish whatever you want to accomplish because of the character it builds and the discipline it takes to be successful. Everybody can achieve that, even if they don't achieve a state title. They still get their hand raised in life, and that's what it's about."
John Drummond Jr. is one who wants his hand raised.

"To win in the state tournament," the 11-year-old answered after being asked about his goals in the sport.

Drummond has only been at it for about a month, but as he went through drills at the camp, he never lost his smile. Whether it was a drill on takedowns or how to gain the advantage against an opponent, he went through each exercise with enthusiasm.

That scene was priceless for his father, John Drummond Sr., a former wrestler who once took second in New York's state tournament.

"I've been talking to him about it, and I didn't want to push him," the elder Drummond said. "You push them to do something and he's going to push away from me. He's the one who actually approached me and wanted to wrestle. He knew I wrestled for a long time and I was always big into it, so when he asked me if he could do it, I was stoked. I was so happy."

Adding an extra level of delight was the fact that Cozart, whose 2007-08 Brandon wrestling team is featured in the documentary "The Streak" that is airing on the ESPN networks, was there to add his wisdom to the camp.

"To see a legend like Cozart, it's unbelievable," Drummond said. "The opportunity my son has right now, I wish I had when I was wrestling when I was a kid."

Former River Ridge wrestler Tyler Fleming joined the group, taking his high school experiences, including a fourth-place finish last season at the state tournament in Lakeland, and passing on what he's learned. This was a chance for Fleming to transition out of wrestling and into a being a full-time student when he starts classes in the fall at the University of South Florida.

"It's really amazing to see some of the kids that are so advanced at such a young age," Fleming said. "There's one kid here, Josh Herrera. It's just amazing. He says he's going into sixth grade, and I'm like, 'Wow.'

"I started freshman year, and I kind of regret that. I understand you don't want to throw your kids in too early ... but at the same time, I kind of wish I would have started around sixth or fifth grade, just because those few extra years would have meant a whole lot."

As the end of the lunch period drew near, and just before former River Ridge wrestler and current Marines wrestling coach Sean Peterson entered Schenk's office with food for himself, Schenk and Cozart, Schenk began to reminisce while looking to the future.

"I can look at that group and I can see Sean Peterson," Schenk said. "What was it, 15 years ago? Now he's here as a clinician, who works with the Marines out in San Diego and wrestled at Ohio State and was a state champion for River Ridge. I can look out there and see him as a little kid, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed. You can show him something and he looked like a deer in headlights, but look where he is now."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com. Keyword: Pasco, for a photo gallery from the camp by staff photographer Andy Jones.

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