Fort Washington, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/25/2018 -- Germantown Academy has, for decades, provided opportunities within the sport of wrestling for young people in Southeastern Pennsylvania, primarily through the programming of Maverick Wrestling Club. Starting October 1, 2018 Maverick will no longer exist, and Germantown Academy will be home to a new wrestling club called Broad Axe Wrestling Club.
The club's co-founders are the club's owner, Samuel Walters, and Head Wrestling Coach at Germantown Academy, Solomon Fleckman. Joseph McMullan, who has been the lead youth coach at Maverick for the past two seasons will continue to be a lead youth coach and will serve as Program Developmental Director. The trio of McMullan, Fleckman and Walters will be assisted by two-time All-American, Jim Reilly, and two-time National Prep runner-up, Tom Iredale among others. This coaching staff will collectively bring over a century's worth of experience within the sport to the community.
Broad Axe, Pennsylvania is a neighborhood just north of Ft. Washington, which is home to Germantown Academy. Additionally, a broad axe is a large-headed axe used for shaping logs. According to Coach Fleckman, "The Broad Axe Wrestling Club was named as a nod to our locale, as well as a metaphor in that we very much aim to shape young people through the sport of wrestling."
Coach Walters, who is also the Assistant High School Wrestling Coach at Germantown Academy, has been coaching wrestling ever since his days as a collegiate wrestler at Liberty University where he helped local kids learn more about the sport even while he continued to study and compete. Over the past seven years, Coach Walters has developed into a seasoned coach who connects well with young people and inspires them to maximize their potential.
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to combine two of my passions--working with young people and wrestling," said Coach Walters. He further elaborated "With Broad Axe, we have a unique opportunity to bring together talented and thoughtful coaches, wonderful wrestling families, and a fabulous educational institution that predates our country's founding and has a long tradition of wrestling excellence. I truly believe that together, we will be able to make Broad Axe a go-to destination for young people who are interested in learning about the sport for the first time, as well as for those who see a long-term relationship with wrestling as something that they want to have in their lives."
Coach McMullan, who concludes nearly every practice session he runs with encouragement for his young charges to be "...good brothers and sisters, good sons and daughters, and good students," wants people to know that Broad Axe will be first and foremost about shaping the character of the young people who join the club. "I will be the first one to admit that I love competition, and I love winning; however, our focus in building this club is on helping young people take the habits and traits that are essential to success in wrestling and applying them to all aspects of their lives. Humility, respect and care for others, hard work and persistence are all necessary ingredients to winning both on and off the mats."
Broad Axe will hold its first official practice on Monday, October 1, 2018. In order to learn more about the club, the hours of operation, the classes available, and to purchase a membership, go to broadaxewrestling.com.
About Broad Axe Wrestling Club
Founded in 2018, Broad Axe Wrestling Club, located at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, PA, aims to help young people develop character as they learn the sport of wrestling.
To learn more about the club, interested parties can visit https://broadaxewrestling.com/.