. So it was always on my radar, Small said. ~|6,qhuit`u"AuWZM* Former Great Bridge wrestling coach Matt Small, who led the Wildcats to two team state championships and coached nine individual champs, will be the new athletic director. endobj Graydon Howard, Cox; 3. 215: 1. Congratulations to Mrs. LoConte-Allen, our 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year! <> Small retains those goals for the entire department. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 34, 38, 45, 49, 59, 67, 69, 70, 77, 81, 84, 85. Each of those 13 years, Martin's Wildcats were nationally ranked. Coach Martin also led Old Dominion in two wins in the first two matches ever held at The Ted Constant Convocation Center. After that, then what? Great Bridge is the only one where I could check off all the boxes., Great Bridge High School wrestling coach Steve Martin with Daniel Frishkorn after a match in Fargo, North Dakota. With Nina Feldman. 2. In the 2019-20 campaign, Martin compiled a 10-9 record, 6-2 in the MAC and coached four of his wrestlers to NCAA qualifications; Killian Cardinale, Sa'Derian Perry, Larry Early and Antonio Agee. Mrs. LoConte-Allen is an eighth grade Math teacher on the Stars team who also sponsors Wyldlife and serves as Math department chair. Austin Coburn also received a MAC Presidential Award. 285: 1. Martin led six Monarchs to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, including ODU's first All-American since 1995, James Nicholson. From: Great Bridge Wrestling <[email protected]> Date: Fri, Feb 25, 2022 at 1:01 PM Subject: Coach Steve Martin Addresses Wildcat Nation To: <[email protected]> Great Bridge Wrestling Club David To my Wildcat Family, We are thrilled to bring the state tile back home. Both squads were nationally ranked. With that being, kind of my wheelhouse, Small thought now was the best time to make the career leap and take advantage of the leadership certifications and classes he took several years ago. Robert Foster, Indian River. Logan Chambers, Ocean Lakes. Smalls tenure officially begins August 1 but hes already begun some duties in transition with outgoing AD Sean Townsend. In the final regular season dual against Bloomsburg on February 23, Martin picked up his 172nd career victory at the helm of the ODU wrestling program, tying him with original head coach and ODU Hall of Famer Pete Robinson for most wins in program history. How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? ET. One bonus box included coaching his son, Max, who won a 106-pound state title as a sophomore last year. Martin became Great Bridges coach in 1991 and compiled a 306-15-1 record, coaching 40 state champions, 98 state place-winners, 35 All-Americans and six national champions. Copyright 2023, Old Dominion University Athletics. In his 11th season as head coach in 2014-15, he led ODU to a second place finish at the Mid-American Conference Championship and also tied the program record with seven NCAA qualifiers. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The Class 4, 5 and 6 state championships begin on Friday at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. L. Todd Spencer/staff file. "That's the one thing I wanted when I was a little kid and to say that I did it, it's just the biggest relief of my life," Martin said. Those grapplers include Ryan Wilson (05-09), Jesse Strawn (06-10), Chris Brown (06-10), Kyle Hutter (06-11), Tristan Warner (10-15), Alexander Richardson (13-16), and Chris Mecate (13-16). In his 14th season, Martin scheduled six top-25 teams for dual meets. My daughter made the middle school softball team at Hickory. They have four children in Madison, Macy, McKenna and Max. 2 Cox by 12 points through eight matches . endobj 2 killed, 4 wounded in Mississippi shooting; man arrested, 150 years later, Dixon bridge tragedy among nation's worst, Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says he wants to 'shut down the FBI' and replace it with something that sounds a lot like the FBI, Sanders: Biden could win in a landslide, Fort Worth family getting death threats after FBI mistake, Florida tornado watch includes 33 counties from Sarasota to Stuart and St. Johns, Thomas University flag football team tops Webber International to advance to Sun Conference championship game. %PDF-1.5 Whenever Ive been at any event for myself Ive always talked about the community of Great Bridge. Example video title will go here for this video, In the News: Headlines you might have missed from the week of April 24, 2023. Dantey Menard, Oscar Smith; 4. I always told myself whether coaching or this job when I started missing their stuff that was gonna be it for me. At this point in my life, Ive done a lot and Ive seen a lot and I really needed the right fit for me. ODU has now sent 51 overall wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in the past 11 seasons under Coach Martin. Christian Ballon, Ocean Lakes. And obviously his rsum I havent gotten a rsum that impressive before. Great Bridge High coach Norman Smith and his wrestlers will tell you that the faces may change, but the program and the expectations do not. "One of my closing statements (during the interview) was, I think I . This year that happened.. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. He has continued his education by obtaining his Masters degree in special education in 2014 from Cambridge College and his educational leadership endorsement from Longwood University last year. The Monarchs sent three student-athletes to the national tournament, including Nicholson, Kyle Hutter and Joey Metzler. PMa./= a%pB4E)q RhV4Kp:)y#cxL| Thomas Stofka, First Colonial; 2. Moving up to the college ranks, Martin still keeps the winning attitude that's built around hard work in the wrestling room, hard work on your own, and hard work in the classroom. 12:00 pm Jostens here during all lunches . So I wasnt gonna leave the area. SUMMER CHAMP CAMP registration, There is still spots available!!!!! By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Great Bridge coach Steve Martin celebrates with Jon Sioredas after Sioredas won the 140-pound Class AAA state title in 2000. The 2010-11 campaign saw Martin and the Monarchs produce their fourth-straight All-American, as James Nicholson earned All-American honors for the second time in his career, becoming the first Monarch since Buddy Lee to be a two-time All-American. Hes a very driven guy, Great Bridge athletic director Sean Townsend said. In his 13th season, Martin led the Monarchs to a fourth place finish at MAC Championships. 113: 1. But I think all things work out for a reason and Im thankful to be able to help in the sport of wrestling at Great Bridge.. Great Bridge High School wrestling coach Steve Martin with Daniel Frishkorn after a match in Fargo, North Dakota. As I went through the last year looking at my options, it always came back to being involved at some level, said Martin, who also considered collegiate options after ODU discontinued the wrestling program last spring. Neumann . I want to personally thank everyone who has supported the program this . Theyre 11 and 9 now. This upcoming track season will be challenging yet rewarding and I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for us! Brogan Hurt, Lafayette. Sam Villasenor, Poquoson. Biden surveys Ida cleanup in, Mike Perry Has Face-off With Conor McGregor at BKFC, NFL Teams Calls to Draftee Went Directly to Voicemail, MLB Fans Rightfully Ripped Ump After Bad Call Led, Former Pro Bowl Running Back Signed With New Team, Warriors Reveal Stephen Currys Powerful Speech Ahead, Heats Kevin Love Tweaks Aaron Rodgers After Game, Knicks Star Takes Blame for Horrific Performance, SITW Day 3: Sunday events canceled due to severe, Norfolk woman shot Saturday night at VB Oceanfront, Entrepreneurs win big at SITW Pull Up & Pitch competition, 5 killed in execution style shooting in Texas, ONLY ON 10: Pharrell Williams surprises local family, Slight delay for day 2 of Something in the Water, 6 injured after security guard fires weapon inside, Deadly shooting on E Princess Anne Rd. 5:30 pm JV Baseball vs. Oscar Smith HS. Story, photos and video of Great Bridge's 21st state championship in wrestling. Tyler Klinger, First Colonial; 4. All he needed to do was go back on his resume to find a job he already had, wrestling head coach at Great Bridge High School. Ian Arnett, Kellam; 2. Im part of the community. Im part of the community. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ", Steve's son, Max is a state champion for the Wildcats in the 120 pound weight class. I want to make sure theyre good kids. Coach Matt Small is an educator and wrestling coach at Great Bridge High School. Produced by Will Reid and Michael Simon Johnson. 132: 1. ", "Never been a part of anything like that. Please have a ride ready to pick you up at the rear of the school at 5:00 tomorrow afternoon. The Norfolk Sports Club named him the Bob Bates Award winner as the Outstanding Metropolitan Coach of the Year. Thanks to all for trying out. Throughout the season, the Monarchs defeated five top-25 teams and were consistently ranked in all seven team polls. So it was always on my radar, Small said. Townsend, who recorded more than 100 wins as Great Bridges baseball coach, is excited to leave the athletic department in the hands of a fellow coach and friend. Tristan Warner was the recipient of the NCAAs Elite 89 award for the second consecutive season, becoming just the second division I wrestler to earn the award in back-to-back seasons. Congratulations on making the 2023 Great Bridge Middle girls track team. If you want a pest-free patio this spring, the most important thing you can do is take away those elements that bugs find desirable. Coach Matt Small is an educator and wrestling coach at Great Bridge High School. And once again, an alumni will lead the athletics program. Biden announces aggressive new, Newsfeed Now: Biden to launch new plan against COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Health experts concerned about COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Pres. Kevin Beazley also qualified for the second-straight year for the Junior World Championships in Zagreb, Coratia after winning the Greco-Roman International Wrestling Federation (FILA) Junior World Team Trials at his weight class of 96 kg (211 pounds). It's believed to be the first time that's ever happened in the state. 165: 1. I think its gonna be a unique situation, Martin said. Congratulations to the following individuals for being selected to represent your school as a member of the GBMS boys track team. Jack Dechow reached his third-straight championship as well, registering a 3-2 record. And once again, an alumni will lead the athletics program. Coach Small grew up in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake where he was an all-star wrestler at Great Bridge High for hall-of-fame Coach Steve Martin. 175: 1. Im not gonna put a timetable on when were gonna do this or when were gonna do that, but I think were gonna be very competitive., Ray Nimmo, 757-446-2364, [email protected]. Jayden Young, Landstown; 4. L.Todd Spencer/Staff file, Great Bridge coach Steve Martin leaps in celebration as his wrestler, J.C. Cuffee, defeated Cox's Jon Buddles to win the 152-pound Class AAA state title in 2000. "If that's not in the history book, it is now. Trey Thebarge, Tallwood; 4. For the first time in four season, ODU did not earn an All-American. If your number is selected, please meet in the main gym tomorrow (Friday) after school for our first practice until 5:30pm. Aiden Sheesley, Gloucester. Also for the first time in school history the Monarchs earned a top 20 ranking as a team. Beyond building upon Great Bridge wrestlings strong foundations, Martin aims to grow the sport in the area. The Great Bridge community and alumni base dates back 115 years to the school's opening. Under Coach Martin there have been several multi-year NCAA qualifiers. Myrin Nixon, Great Bridge; 4. All CMSL schools may begin tryouts on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Small retains those goals for the entire department. In a showdown with Cox, another great program, the Wildcats won going away 56-20 on Thursday night in their dual meet. % This year that happened.. Thats familiar to any whove known Small and his style. 1 0 obj The following athletes have been chosen for the 2023 Wildcat Field Hockey Team: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22. Aaron Swift, Super 32 this weekend!! I think as a coach he just gets it, Townsend said. Never," Chittum said. Jared Goodson, Poquoson. None of those storied teams of the past have accomplished what the current group of Wildcats achieved last Friday during the Region 4A tournament. Former Great Bridge wrestling coach Matt Small . Additionally, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall-of-Fame VA chapter for the eastern region in 2011.