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A Chat with '12-'13
WY Coaches...
▪ Brian Gross and Wilmer Pressel
w/Don Lehman, webmaster of westyorkwrestlingalumni.com
INTRO...
The first West York
Wrestling practice is 11/16/12... and will be here before you know it.
West York Wrestling Senior High Head Coach, Brian Gross, is entering his
6th season at the helm of a
school that has a rich wrestling history. The upcoming season marks
the
"78th Year" that West York has
fielded a varsity wrestling team! And, Brian Gross is the 13th coach
in West York Wrestling history. Brian
is a West York class of '88 grad, and... also put in a year or two on
the mat for
York College! Brian is
currently taking some classes (U. of Phoenix) and working @
York County School of Technology
as a Security and Safety Leader.
Brian coached West York's last PIAA State Wrestling Medalist - Billy
Randt, 145lbs... in (2010). I know WY Head Mat Coach Brian Gross... is very
excited about the upcoming season.
∙ WYJH
Wrestling's
Wilmer Pressel.
West York
Junior High Wrestling will have a "new" look and head coach this year as West York
grad,
Wilmer Pressel, will take over this VERY important position.
Wrestling success at the varsity level is
built at the elementary and junior high levels! There is no
doubt about that fact. The basics, mental
approach, conditioning and time/score management skills are taught (and
should be!) at that critical
time in a young wrestler's life. It is a VERY tough sport, one of
the toughest... and, is the world's oldest
sport. It takes a special person and athlete to compete in
wrestling, but the life lessons learned are
irreplaceable. Wilmer Pressel is a West York class of '85 grad, and
finished his WY career with a record
of 64-32-1. As a senior, Wilmer had a record of 29-8 which included 7
losses to PIAA Top-5 medalists.
As a senior, Wilmer capped off his career with a YCIAA Sectional 2nd, a
District III SC Regional 2nd - both
2nd's coming to the same wrestler (South Western's Jay Egloff)... and,
a 6th place medal at the
 1985
PIAA State Wrestling Tournament. Wilmer is in the flooring business
and currently is a Labor Services
Manager for Minnesota-based
Inside Edge CIS... a
national flooring company. A more complete
background can be found in a previous W. Pressel interview
- HERE.
I asked Brian and Wilmer to complete another interview - and I'm sure both
men are
looking very much
forward to the upcoming mat season! Thanks for checking in... Don
Don Lehman
Webmaster - westyorkwrestlingalumni.com
WY
COACHES
WEBSITE
INTERVIEW by
Don Lehman
▪ "DL"
- Interviewer Don Lehman
with... "BG"
- Brian Gross &
"WP"
- Wilmer Pressel.
DL
- Thanks, gentlemen... for agreeing to do this
westyorkwrestlingalumni.com joint interview!
Before you know it, it will be "wrestling season." How did the
off-season go... and, can you tell us about
some camps and off-season tourney mat successes per your athletes?
BG
-
I think the off-season went well. We had
some kids go to camp, wrestle in tournaments... and, practice Freestyle and
Greco-Roman. We (WY) attended the Lock Haven Wrestling Camp this
summer and had 11 kids attend. We teamed up with Hanover and went 5-4
in the team portion of the camp... wrestling the better teams in the
top bracket. In the individual portion of the camp, we had Noah
Townsley and Jacob Gemmill win their weight classes. Also - Kyle
Narber and Ryan Narber took 3rd place. Hunter Scheivert
represented our school at the Fargo Nationals this summer. Also, we
wrestled in a few team tournaments (in the spring) with Dallastown, Spring
Grove and Red Lion.
That was a great experience for our kids.
They wrestled with competitors who want and know how to win! We did
win the Swing-Away Duals in Lancaster during Memorial Day Weekend, going
5-0. As for the fall season, we are just getting started and are
looking forward to the wrestling season!
WP
- After talking with Brian, some of the WY Junior High kids went to Lock
Haven's Wrestling Camp and wrestled in the Senior High Division... which was
a great experience for them.
Many of the kids wrestled Freestyle and Greco-Roman in the club and
gained a lot of experience there, also.
A few of the kids wrestled in the PAWF qualifiers, as well. Just
coming in this year, Brian and I are talking about getting more of the kids
in a camp next year... as well
as more active in summer tournaments.
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DL
- What kind of strength program and conditioning process did you put in
place during the off-season
and will it carry over into the regular mat season? Are there any
other SH or JH staff additions/changes?
BG
-
As for the strength program, I
leave that to Coach Mike Mountz. He does an outstanding job with our
kids. When the kids buy into what he is doing... you see a big
difference from year to year. We had about 15-20 kids this past summer
lifting. That is our biggest group to-date. Just to let you know
how great of a program it is, we had kids that don't wrestle ask if they
could join the program. Some of this does carry over into the season.
In the preseason and during the regular season, we focus more on
conditioning. Running, Kettle Bells, Ropes, and any other Cardio that
I can add in. We are going to be adding a few new faces to our
coaching staff. At the Senior High, we will be adding
Brandon Fuhrman,
a former wrestler of mine at Dover and a past Dover Coach. Brandon was
a District III runner-up for Dover. Also, we will be adding PIAA State
runner-up, Chad Gentzler
from Dover HS. Chad had been on Dover HS's staff.
Helping new Junior High Coach, Wilmer Pressel... will be Central York's
Greg Whitecomb.
I am looking forward to working with these gentlemen this season! I
know that all of the new additions to the WY Coaching Staff are excited to
be part of the WY Wrestling Family!
WP
- I know Coach Mike Mountz '07 has been instrumental in the summer lifting
program and it is a great success. During "open mat"... we are
focusing on getting the kids in shape from a Cardio standpoint, so we
can hit the ground running on November 16.
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DL
- Are there any new rule changes coming our way? If so, what are
they and have you reviewed
with the wrestlers? And, did you have to do any scheduling shifts to
accommodate the "points" deal?
BG
-
Yes, I think the major change is that wrestlers
get an early Christmas present in the form of a 2lb. weight allowance on
December 25, 2012, instead of January 15, 2013. Also, High School
Wrestlers who are called for a third stalling violation will receive a
stiffer penalty beginning with the 2012-13 season. In addition to the
tow-point penalty, the opponent will now have his/her choice of position on
the next restart. As far as I read on the points, nothing has changed
for us. We have 19 points right now, so I am looking to add 3 points
at some time.
WP
- In addition to what Brian is saying... the league interpretation meeting
is October, 16 2012... so, we'll find out then what's in store. If I
understand your "points" question, we currently have 3 points left in which
I intend to use by going back to the Cedar Cliff Tournament.
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DL
- Brian, I know you are excited about your returning class of athletes
and also about some freshmen
additions... talk about your upcoming team, goals and expectations. Wilmer,
I know this is your first year
as a head coach at the Junior High level - how does your team look and what
are your expectations and
goals for the 2012-13 season? Did you both choose your season captains
yet?
BG
-
Yes, Don... I am very excited about this
year's team. We are still going to be a young team, but will
also have a little experience sprinkled in. We return
*four
District III SC Regional qualifiers from last year's team. From
125lbs. to 285lbs. - we should be solid. We are going to have some
depth this year... which means not as many guaranteed spots open! I am
setting the bar high this year! The expectations for this year's team
are to win and win often. As per my goals, I am going to save them
until I meet with the team.
I have not picked my Captains yet, but I have a few in mind.
*note
(4 District III SC Regional Qualifiers - Jacob Gemmill, Noah Townsley, Kyle
Narber, Garrett Stauffer)
WP
- My initial feeling about my team is that we are solid throughout with the
kids we have. We are in need of some lightweights, though... and the
search continues. So, if you know anyone - let me know.
I'm not sure what to say about an expectation except that I will expect 100%
effort all of the time and the rest will fall into place.
For me... to be a captain - it is earned and it is too early for me to
predict who that will be in the Junior High ranks. I will have two
captains and one "hustle" captain chosen weekly. That way, anyone can step up
into a leadership role by example.
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DL
- I understand the facility at Martin is closed... where will each of you
practice - and, are there any
time
constraints per your change of plans? (11/16/12 start)
BG
- The Senior High will again be back in the WY
Auxiliary Gum, where we always have been. We will be moving our
practice times back to accommodate my work schedule and Coach Pressel's work
schedule. This does cause a problem with the WY Elementary program.
As of right now, we are without a place for them to practice. We have
been looking and will continue to do so. So, if anyone knows of a
place in West York for the Elementary kids... please let me know!
WP
- We will practice in the WY Auxiliary Gym at the High School. The
"time constraint" works out for me because of my work obligations... so we
will practice right after high school. I did hear that we may be using
Wallace Elementary for the Youth Program, but it's still up in the air.
 (now
approved - it's Wallace)
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DL
- Let's talk about the very important mental approach of folkstyle
wrestling. Are you planning
to implement practice time to teach and review mat management, time
management, winning attitudes,
team camaraderie, weight-loss planning, where you are on the mat, etc.?
Why is this important?
BG
-
Don, the mental approach of
wrestling is HUGE. Everyone is always caught up in a "name." We
do talk about the mental approach quite often. We also go over time
management, knowing where you are on the mat... and, about believing in
yourself. Weight management is always the most difficult for
the kids to understand. I talk about this on a daily basis to the
guys... what they should be eating and not eating, how much they should be
drinking, etc. The team camaraderie seems to be good. The guys
are always hanging out with each other off the mat and are holding each
other accountable. I think all of these things are as important as is
the drilling and "live" wrestling! You need to have everything
going for you to be successful!
WP
- Absolutely - all of that, Don. I think I have a bit more of an
opportunity in this category because Middle School kids are so influential.
We are going to try and bring confidence to their minds and hearts by making
them believe that they are all winners just by walking into the room.
It's a tough sport... and they will hear that from me the very
first day.
There is no sugar-coating that aspect. All of the things you mentioned
will be a work in progress throughout the season.
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DL
- I'm guessing that you, Brian, will work with Wilmer on a plan for
improving his wrestlers per taking
that next important step up to the senior high level. What is that
plan, and does it involve the youth-
elementary program, also? Are you both having success recruiting our
youth to this, the most grueling,
yet... the best sport for fostering discipline and improving
physical/mental fitness - wrestling?
BG
-
Yes, Don... I will be working with Wilmer, along
with our Elementary coaches and make sure we are all on the same page.
I think it is important that we are teaching the right things to all
skill levels. As far as recruiting our youth... we are holding a "free
clinic" for all Elementary kids. This gives them a chance to try the
sport without making a full commitment. Most kids try it once and
can't wait to come back the next week. We are holding the clinic this
year in the High School gym from 9-11am on October 20th and 27th, November
3rd and 10th. We also set up a table @ Lincolnway and Trimmer Schools
during open house. I think we are having success in getting kids out
for this great sport. Our numbers seem to be going up every
year.
WP
- Brian and I, as well as the rest of the coaching staff, have worked
together for the last four years... and the program we have in place right
now is a culmination of that group effort... and, seems to be working so
far. We will continue to work together for the betterment of the
program as a whole, so we can continue to have strong teams in the future.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL
- What has wrestling done for you and what do you tell the kids about
your experiences as you work
with them daily? Is the current day-to-day leaning towards a (one)
year-round sport, or are there still
those kids that like to participate in multiple sports?
BG
-
WRESTLING has done so much
for me. I think the mental part learned still plays a big role in my
life.
The sport makes me who I am today. Wrestling is still teaching me life
lessons, even as a coach. I think the big thing that I try to get
through to my kids is... to never give up! To keeping working hard,
even when you have set backs. We have half of our team, if not more...
playing football. I always thought the two sports went hand-in-hand.
We have kids that participate in other sports as well.
WP
-
I think an easier question to answer would be what didn't wrestling
teach me?!
I will bring up work ethic, though... because I think it's important.
The harder one works, the bigger the reward. Mental toughness, stamina,
confidence, will to succeed... you name it - this sport of wrestling brings
it all. If you are asking what we think of participation in multiple
sports - I think it's good. Participation in wrestling is a
positive influence in any other sport. You are only in Middle/High
School once, make the most of it.
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DL
- West York has had, in its 78 year-old history... 608 dual meet
victories against 403 losses and 14 ties.
In that time, we have had some excellent wrestling coaches. If you
could pick "one" coach in your
time at WY that taught you the most about wrestling, how to win... and also
taught you some valuable life
lessons along the way, who would that be and why did you choose that
particular coach? It could also be
a coach that you had after graduation, or, as a co-staff colleague in the
coaching ranks.
BG
-
I don't think I can pick just one!
There were so many coaches that taught me not only about wrestling, but
important life lessons as well. That being said, I am always looking
to learn wrestling rules and new techniques. Wrestling is always
changing, and you need to keep up with the rules and times.
note:
Brian Gross had John T. Toggas as a head coach during his WY tenure -
@ York College, Tom Kessler.
WP
-
Wrestling is similar to
"life"... you really don't learn everything from just one person. I
would love to say my mom and dad taught me everything I know, but as much
as I love and respect them, what I now know is a culmination of all
of my experiences in life. The same goes for this great sport of
wrestling!
ALL of
my coaches have had a positive influence in my wrestling and in my life.
note: Wilmer Pressel had both John T. Toggas and Kevin McCleary as head
coaches @ West York HS.
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DL
- What are the toughest duties that you have as a wrestling coach these
days and why?
BG
-
The toughest duty I have is making
sure I am getting the right gear put into my budget year to year.
The school does a nice job in taking
care of us. Last year,
we received new warm-ups... and, a few years back - we needed a new mat and
we got one!
WP
- This is a work of love... so, I don't look at this as a "duty." I'm
just passing along what was freely given to me.
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DL
- What kind of extra-curricular support is needed in these tough
economic times? You have a pretty
good Booster Club - how does their support and work play into your everyday
coaching duties? Are there
any uniform changes this year for either program? And, any special
home nights planned?
BG
-
Fundraising is a huge
thing that is needed for us to continue our program!
I have to say that I have the BEST
Booster Club!!! They
make my life so much better. I can coach and they take care of the
everyday activities needed to supplement our funding needs. They
always ask me if I need anything. The Junior High is getting new
warm-ups! We have some special things on slate for this season... we
have an
ALUMNI NIGHT
planned for January 3, 2013... an Elementary Night planned for December
12, 2012... a Senior Night planned for January 22, 2013... and a
"PIN CANCER"
Night planned for January 9, 2013. Details to follow.
WP
-
Our West York Wrestling Booster Club is second to none.
We have outstanding community support
that seems to be growing. I know the Junior High is getting new
warm-ups this year per the Booster Club,
but I haven't seen them yet. They apparently are modeled after the WY
Senior High warm-ups.
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DL
- How is the support from the Alumni... and, how can you get more Alumni
involved and enthused
about the West York Wrestling program? If you have something to say to
the Alumni... this is one
way to communicate your thoughts and views!
BG
-
I have to say that the support we have received
from the Alumni is AWESOME!!
It starts
right here with this great website!!!
We
also have received great support from Randy Blasdell '78 with his
annual Bulldog Open Golf Outing. There are many more Alumni that are
involved in some way or another. Coaching, donating time, or, coming
to matches and events are some other support areas. One thing we have
done is to recognize the ALUMNI at an Alumni Night. Another
thing I want to day is if you like wrestling... please come to an event and
check us out! The more people we can pack into the gym, the louder it
gets and the tougher it is on our opponents. Please, Alumni... take a
minute and come up to me and introduce yourself!
WP
- I'm glad you brought this up, Don. I have noticed increased support
from our Alumni over the last couple of years and it's been really great!
I can't say enough about the financial contribution made to our program by
Randy Blasdell '78 and his
Bulldog Open Golf Outing @ Briarwood this
year.
I think the golf
outing brings the Alumni together with the current kids and I will be
pushing hard for more participation from my team to help out and be totally
involved next year! It just shows what West York Wrestling is all
about... when our Alumni of all ages are involved with the programs... and
they have really helped pave the way in bringing West York Wrestling BACK,
with their support! Finally, how could there be better support then
from your Alumni Website. I think the work you have done on this
website, Don, has helped bring us all together - not to mention showing us
where we are going... so, thank you for all you do.
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DL
- What do you see around the YAIAA and District this year for both
programs? Talk a little about your
first contest or two - and, do you have any scrimmages planned that we can
attend as spectators?
BG
-
The
YAIAA is going to be much tougher this year than last! A ton of kids
that went to the District III SC Regional Tournament are back for another
run at the PIAA's. Our AAA Section has gotten much tougher with the
addition of Eastern York. Our Section now has
14 AAA
Teams.
As far as District III AAA, it will again be the toughest in the state!
We (DIII) return 4 PIAA State Champions and numerous state-placewinner's. Our
first contest this year will be the Milton Hershey Team Duals (6 teams).
This will be the first weekend of competition - (December 8, 2012). We
then come back with 3 YAIAA Division meets against New Oxford, Northeastern
and Central York. We do have our annual home scrimmage on November
24th (@ WY Gym) with Oley Valley, Dover, Littlestown and Kennard Dale.
The following weekend, we travel to Hanover HS w/Northern York for our 2nd
scrimmage. Both scrimmages start @ 9:00am.
WP
- Actually, I am just getting into this. I've been busy trying to
figure out what WE (Junior High) have,
and then I can align with the competition.
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DL
- Is coaching and teaching Freestyle and Greco-Roman
wrestling a priority for you in the off-season
and
if so, why? Are there any plans for a new club?
BG
-
Yes,
Don... Freestyle and Greco-Roman styles are a PRIORITY in the off-season.
It is all about getting mat time, so we also mix in some folkstyle, also.
It is a nice change of pace for the kids. Even though there are
different rules and styles... the moves compliment each other. We do a
ton of drilling during the
season. As for the club, we are still going to be Modern Day
Gladiators... we just need to find a new home!
WP
-
I think Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling is GREAT... and it is
a focus in the off-season.
The perspective I try to give to the younger kids is how FUN it is, and we
love to explain the differences between the F/S - G/R and Folkstyle.
But, I think it is very important to be wrestling in the off-season, no
matter what style it is.
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DL
- Do you gentlemen have a favorite NCAA college wrestling team that
you follow?
BG
-
Yes,
Don... I follow Lock Haven University and Penn State in Division One.
Lock Haven has one of my former wrestlers (Billy
Randt) along with some other York County kids. Penn State has a
ton of PA boys wrestling for them - and I have followed PSU for years.
I also follow "our"
York College in Division
Three.
WP
- I like watching the NCAA Division One Teams... and I root for Penn State
University and Coach Cael Sanderson.
I'm keeping a "keen eye" on Lock Haven University's
Billy Randt this year, also.
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DL
- Thanks - Coach Gross and Coach Pressel for taking the time to chat
with me. The best of luck in
your upcoming wrestling season!
BG
-
Don - Thank You!!! I always enjoy doing
these interviews. I think it is a great way for Alumni and anyone else...
to follow West York Wrestling. Thanks again for all you do for our
program!!!
WP
- Thank you Don, for keeping focus on the greatest sport in the world!
Keep up the great work.
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