Carson High's Owen Craugh has earned a berth as a wild card in the National High School Coaches Association Senior National Wrestling Championships, beginning March 30 in Virginia Beach, Va.
Seniors who have finished first or second during their careers in their state championships automatically qualify for the event. Craugh, who finished third in this year's NIAA 4A State Championships at 119 pounds, applied as a wild card and was accepted.
NHSCA National Championship events have seen hundreds of its participants enjoy illustrious college careers. Many NCAA champions and All-Americans and Olympians have competed in NHSCA National Championship events.
In the 2006 NCAA Division I finals, 9 of the 10 NCAA Champions wrestled in the NHSCA Senior Nationals when they were high school seniors. NHSCA Senior Nationals alumni make an average of 17 of the 20 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championship finals appearances each year and they win an average of 8 of the 10 NCAA Division I National Championships each year.
Two other Carson wrestlers qualified for the event, but will be unable to compete. Travis Lamborn won the state title at 160 pounds this year while Kyle Banko finished second last year and third this year .
Craugh needs to raise about $700 to pay for his flight and food while in Virginia. Any additional funds raised will be donated to the Carson Bulldogs Wrestling Club. For more information, contact Craugh at ondcraugh@juno.com.
Galena baseball to conduct clinic
The Galena High varsity baseball team will conduct a clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 25 at the Galena High baseball field.
The clinic will be directed by Galena coach Gary McNamara and is open to ages 6-13. The goal will be to improve skills and to give participants a better understanding of the mechanics of the game. Overall improvement will be stressed, but the most important goal will be to teach participants the love of the game and to have fun.
Cost is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event, which includes a t-shirt and a barbecue at 1 p.m.
McNamara and the 2006 Northern 4A champion Grizzlies will demonstrate skills and techniques. McNamara's coaching experience also includes the University of Nevada and Canada (Calif.) Junior College.
Since taking over at Galena in 2002, the Grizzlies have compiled a 120-55 record, advancing to the NIAA 4A State Championships in 2003 and 2006, finishing third in 2003. During that time, 18 Galena players have gone on to play college baseball. Two have been drafted by Major League teams and five have been named High Desert League Player of the Year.