Olympic Champion Helen Maroulis to Host Wrestling Clinic in Yorktown Heights

Olympic gold medalist Helen Maroulis, a decorated figure in wrestling, is set to host a special clinic in Yorktown Heights on June 20. She will be joined by Victoria Anthony, a four-time national champion, in an event designed to empower young athletes and foster the growth of girls wrestling.

The clinic will take place at Mildred E. Strang Middle School and is organized by Jimmy Kaishian, the head coach of the Yorktown High School boys wrestling team. Kaishian's initiative to establish a girls wrestling program at Yorktown was recently approved for the upcoming academic year, and this clinic aims to build momentum and encourage participation.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Maroulis, who has earned two Olympic gold medals (2016, 2020) and a bronze (2024), expressed her enthusiasm for the event. "Overall, I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, sharing the mats and the love for this great sport and for getting to inspire the next generation of young men and women," Maroulis stated. She is also preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The clinic is seen as a crucial step in developing a strong girls wrestling program at Yorktown. Kaishian hopes the presence of elite athletes like Maroulis and Anthony will significantly boost interest and participation.

Funding and Support

Proceeds from the clinic will be directed towards two key areas: supporting Maroulis's preparation for her return to the Olympic Games and providing singlets for Yorktown's new girls varsity athletic team. This dual purpose highlights the clinic's commitment to both elite athlete development and grassroots program building.

A Full-Circle Moment for Kaishian

For Kaishian, a Yorktown High School alumnus, the establishment of a girls wrestling program represents a full-circle moment. After coaching at Springfield College, he aims to cultivate a strong wrestling culture in his hometown. "We just won our first section title, and in my senior year we had taken second," Kaishian shared. "Now, we’re going to start a girls program, so we’re trying to change the culture of the town and turn it into a wrestling town.”

Local Talent and National Interest

Maddy Keeler, a senior from Putnam Valley who won a Section 1 title and is committed to Presbyterian College for NCAA Division I wrestling, plans to attend. Keeler views Maroulis and Anthony as pioneers and role models. "The two clinicians are two pioneers of women’s wrestling who have accolades on top of accolades and have done amazing things in the sport," Keeler said. "Helen Maroulis is a big role model of mine, so the fact that I can meet her and learn from her is something that really attracted me to the clinic itself.”

Growing Sport

Girls wrestling is recognized as one of the fastest-growing sports, and Kaishian's efforts to establish a dedicated team at Yorktown are timely. He has already seen significant interest, with approximately 20 signatures on a form gauging interest in the program. The clinic is expected to further amplify this momentum, potentially leading to one of the first standalone girls wrestling teams in the area.

Maroulis's Vision

Maroulis champions the idea that "technique has no gender" and believes wrestling offers valuable lessons and opportunities for both men and women. Her hope is that more female-led camps will empower girls and demonstrate the sport's benefits.

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Event: Helen Maroulis-Victoria Anthony wrestling clinic
Location: Mildred E. Strang Middle School, Yorktown Heights
Date: June 20
Registration Fees: $125 (early bird), $150 (standard), $175 (day of)

The development of a girls wrestling program in Yorktown, bolstered by the involvement of Olympic champions, signifies a positive step for the sport's expansion and the empowerment of female athletes in the region.

Fuente: Yahoo Sports, https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/olympic-gold-medalist-maroulis-host-070120218.html

Datos clave