Wrestling Clinic Held for Wounded Warriors

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Jennifer S. Kimball, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and the Balboa Warrior Athlete Program (BWAP) in conjunction with the Challenged Athletes Foundation held a wrestling clinic for wounded warriors at the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) gym, Aug. 8.

The clinic was designed to empower military members recovering from injuries and give them resources for their future to renew their quality of life.

"[The clinic] was to show troops they can overcome their injuries," said retired Marine Maj. Nico Marcolongo, Operation Rebound program manager. "It also gives them a chance to experience a different sport."

This was the first wrestling clinic held at NMCSD, but BWAP regularly holds other sports clinics depending on the needs of service members.

"Sports are a huge part of rehabilitation, especially wrestling, which uses core strength and conditioning," said Marcolongo. "I hope they take what they learn here and use it in their own rehabilitation."

One of the attendees, Evan Morgan, a Marine corporal, regularly competes in triathlons and other sports as part of his rehabilitation routine.

"Sports are a great form of rehabilitation," said Morgan. "Not only do they give you goals, but they're also fun, engaging and interactive."

During the clinic, special guest Dustin Carter, a quadruple amputee and wrestler, told his story of training and competing as a wrestler with a handicap.

"This experience was pretty cool," said Carter. "My dad was in the Navy, so I have a lot of respect for service members."

Carter lost his limbs at age 5 to a rare bacterial infection of the bloodstream. Although his injuries came from a disease and are not service-related, he remains an inspiration.

"I get that I'm an inspiration a lot," said Carter. "I guess I'm humble about it, but deep down I'm excited. I love wrestling, it's my passion and if I can teach others and get others to feel the same way I do, it's awesome."

During the clinic, Carter and his coach Scott Goodpaster demonstrated training techniques that he used to condition his body to be a champion high school wrestler. He talked one-on-one with service members and showed them some of his wrestling moves. Carter then challenged audience members to a match on the wrestling mat.

"He's another example that you can adapt to anything," said Morgan. "The clinic was inspiring and educational and really made you re-prioritize your life."

Some of the clinic attendees were former wrestlers like Army Sgt. Saul Martinez, a former patient and now a Squad Leader for the Army Warrior Transition Unit at NMCSD.

"He's a big inspiration for me," said Martinez. "What he's been through makes you realize all the things you take for granted. I'm missing my legs, I have both my arms, so I can't even fathom his situation, but to see how he adapted and overcame gives me motivation to do the same."

"Opportunities like this go far toward helping their recovery and healing while also inspiring the troops for a lifetime," said Marcolongo.

---------------------

MilitaryConnection.com thanks you for your patronage. This web site is a portal of all things military. There is something for everyone including a new job board, listing all types of jobs for military including military jobs, government jobs, veteran jobs, diversity jobs and civilian jobs,. We also feature education for military resources such as information on the newly improved GI Bill, listings of military schools in the military school directory, an expansive scholarship directory and additional education benefits that will aid you in continuing your education. If you need a personal loan, MilitaryConnection.com provides information on military loans and reputable companies that handle them.

We are constantly adding resources, content and valuable features to benefit our audience. This has resulted in the web site quickly becoming the “go to” web site for all things military. Our web site and all of the resources are free to users and we value your input. If you belong to a group or organization, we will post your press releases, special events, newsletters, professional conferences and seminars, reunions, job fairs, and videos to help spread the word.

MilitaryConnection.com has a multitude of employment and educational resources including a Directory of over 30,000 Employers, Job Tips, Columns written by top Job Coaches, our new and improved Job Board, Virtual Job Fair, jobs for military and military spouses, military jobs, government jobs, veteran jobs, diversity jobs, civilian jobs and much more. You will find military education resources information on the GI Bill, military schools, a military school directory, a scholarship directory and information on current educational benefits. We also feature military loan information. When the next tour is back home, it’s on MiltiaryConnection.com.