State native to hold clinic at FOC wrestling
December 8th, 2009
Originally found at www.register-herald.com
Written By Gary Fauber
When Kevin Farley was wrestling at Woodrow Wilson, he had aspirations of a college career.
He will never forget the help he received in trying to realize that dream. Rob Waller, a Iaeger native who went on to accomplished careers both as a competitor and coach, went to bat for Farley.
Waller, who was coaching at Mount Pleasant (Pa.) High at the time, tried to help Farley get into Slippery Rock, which has one of the most respected wrestling programs in the nation. An injury ended up derailing those plans, although Farley did go on to play football at Concord College.
Still, Waller’s efforts left an impression that stay with Farley more than 20 years later.
In November, Waller will have the chance to impact the lives of several more youth wrestlers at the second annual AAU/Friends of Coal Power Nationals. Waller will give an hour-long clinic in the morning prior to the kickoff of the tournament, which is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.
“For me, personally, it means a lot to have someone of his stature volunteer his time for our tournament,” said Farley, who is one of the tournament’s directors. “It shows that the tournament is growing and getting a lot of notoriety.”
The tournament had a successful inaugural year in 2008, attracting wrestlers from states all over the eastern half of the nation. Farley and Jamie Humphrey, another director, have received several compliments about the event, including at a recent AAU tournament in South Dakota.
“We have received tons of positive feedback from people nationally who were happy to see the quality of wrestling we have here with our boys in West Virginia,” Farley said. “One of our goals is to showcase the quality we have here and we feel we have succeeded in that. It’s nice to go halfway across the country and see ‘Friends of Coal’ on the singlets. It made us feel good about West Virginia and showcasing the sport and our home.”
Bringing Waller aboard will only increase that awareness.
As a competitor, Waller won a National Junior College Athletic Association national championship at 142 pounds in 1970. He won several regional and conference championships and have over 200 career victories.
At the coaching level, Waller has a career record of 310-93-7. He is a member of three halls of fame, including the NJCAA national hall. Thirty-five of his wrestlers have gone on to college.
He will bring all of those credentials and immeasurable experience to Beckley. The clinic will be free to all youth and adult enthusiasts who can present an AAU card.
Wrestlers in 118 age and weight divisions from all over the country will compete in the one-day tournament. The youngest competitors are 3 years old, and there also is an open division for grapplers of any age.
