Wrestling
Wrestling
WRESTLING: SCSU Enjoys Weekend Retreat in Kimball
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wrestling retreat 2009. |
The St. Cloud State University wrestling team spent the weekend of Sept. 25-26 at "The Preserve". The Preserve is a privately owned wrestling training center located near Kimball, MN.
"We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to take our team to such a wonderful place, it was the perfect set-up for our annual team retreat," said Head Coach Steve Costanzo. "We would like to thank Doug Joseph for allowing us to use his outstanding facility."
The annual team retreat provides the wrestlers an opportunity to get away from campus and spend some time with their teammates in a relaxed setting. They began the night exploring The Preserve and playing games outdoors and on the wrestling mats.
In keeping with tradition, the Husky coaches lined up a special guest speaker. Marty Morgan who currently serves as Brock Lesnar’s (UFC Heavyweight Champion) head trainer was the featured speaker. Marty previously served for 16 years as the head assistant coach at the University of Minnesota. While coaching at Minnesota, the wrestling team won 3 NCAA Division I national championships.
As an athlete, Marty was a four-time All-American and a NCAA Div. II and NCAA Div. I national champion.
" Having somebody with Marty’s experience and knowledge of the sport visit with our guys was outstanding, he did a fantastic job and I think our team learned a lot," said SCSU assistant coach Matt Lowers.
During his talk to the team he stressed the importance of a "team first" attitude. He also stressed the importance of being a disciplined athlete on and off the mat.
After a question and answer period with Marty Morgan the Husky wrestlers gathered around a campfire to discuss their upcoming season. The 2009 SCSU Wrestling Captains: Tad Merritt, John Sundgren, Derek Skala and Gabe Suarez led the discussion.
When asked about the campfire talk Head Coach Steve Costanzo stated, "It was a time for the team to discuss what they wanted out of the season, it was an opportunity for the wrestlers to share their thoughts and goals on the upcoming season. I thought our captains did a great job tonight, I think it’s important for our guys to have discussions like this...where they are purely athlete driven."
Once the campfire talk broke up the wrestlers found themselves back in The Preserve playing games and enjoying the camaraderie of one another. Throughout the night, the team could be found playing volleyball, basketball, ping pong, pool and an occasional wrestling match. There was also an area for the team to relax and watch movies and play video games.
"This was exactly what our team needed," said SCSU assistant coach Chris Heilman. "The team was able to spend valuable time together while having the opportunity to hear first hand from Marty Morgan about what is needed to be a champion on and off the mat."
The Huskies open their season on November 8, at their annual Black/Red Classic in Halenbeck Hall.
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