Grapples to Grapples

The Glasgow Wrestling Club put their 2023 Camp in the books last week with another smashing success. From Aug. 1 to the 3, 137 wrestlers hit the mats at the Civic Center and the Wrestling Club, under the tutelage of some of the best athletes and coaches in the nation.

Iowa State University Assistant Coach Derek St. John returned to helm his crew of medalists and guide wrestlers through a grueling and fun three days. Joining the camp for the first time this year was Tyson Springer, who will guide the first women's team at Dickinson State University this year. Springer was in attendance for the first two days of the camp and has already expressed enthusiasm about returning for future camps with his women collegiate wrestlers to assist.

Amara Halverson also returned this year in a coaching position. "There's lots of improvement," she said during the girls' portion at the Wrestling Center. "They [the girls] keep coming back so lots of improvement there." Halverson enjoys the camp from her position as a coach after attending as a camper several years back. Being back in Glasgow gives her the chance to grow her perspective as a coach and have fun helping out.

This year's camp boasted a number of repeat attendees while continuing to grow. Glasgow Wrestling Coach Jory Casterline said there were 39 girls K-12 in the girls' portion of the camp with 50 girls overall with the inclusion of the youth camp. Campers traveled from as far as Baker, Hardin and Red Lodge to grow their skills in Glasgow.

On the boys side, 61 attended the camp, traveling in from all over the state. The Glasgow Wrestling Camp even brought in grapples from California and Canada this year, demonstrating the reputation and reach of the organization.

St. John's enthusiasm for the camp and coaching in Glasgow has not waned. "There's more numbers than last year. It's growing, especially the girls side of things," he said. "And the community support is great. Very supportive local businesses helping. Jory and Brenner [Flaten] and those guys take good care of us. Got a good thing going here."

"This program is such a benefit for the community," Casterline said. "I mean, three days, this level of talent. Like David Carr, a national champ. How often are these young guys going to have the chance to hit the mats with a national champion? It's low cost, no travel for our guys.

We get to show off the building, our facility, you know? That home town pride. If you're a wrestler, you're here."

But even as the most diehard of wrestlers and coaches, Casterline recognizes that the three days in Glasgow offers more than the camp. "Lake time. We're done at 4 p.m. each day so we take these guys out to enjoy Glasgow and Fort Peck. We show them a good time. You know, Manny Rojas was begging to come back this year. He had such a good time last year."

Casterline highlighted how much area businesses and parents are crucial to making the camp a success. Between volunteer time and donations, he and his Wrestling Club are able to provide the most to the coaches and staff to ensure the continued success of the Glasgow Wrestling Camp for years to come.