GP West/Bruin Inv.

[Sommers]

tested? In case anyone was wondering...

I can't imagine why no one is responding here...

 

The Union County Wrestling Dynasty Continues to Grow

 

Union County wrestling has gained national fame, by accomplishment as well as by advertisement on Gary Ervin's t-shirt during the Amazing Race. In Kentucky, however, UC Wrestling is simply known as the top team to beat, every year, and is nothing short of a dynasty.

 

By definition, there are two types of dynasties: family and sports. A sports dynasty is defined as a team that dominates their sport or league for multiple seasons or years. A family dynasty, however, is traditionally one where leadership of a kingdom or empire is passed down through family members in succession. The Union County wrestling program is a unique and powerful blend of both.

 

As a sports dynasty, it is obvious that the wrestling program fits the bill. UCHS Wrestling is, without a doubt, the winningest program in Union County sports history. Boasting six team state titles in 1976, 1980, 1982, 2007, 2008, and 2011 as well as a total of 40 individual state champions along with eight consecutive (12 total) regional titles, four state Most Valuable Wrestlers, a KHSAA Coach of the Year, an NHSCA national champion, and a National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum award winner, it is very apparent that there is something special about the Union County Wrestling program.

 

Wrestling has also become a family tradition for many in Union County. In this growing family dynasty, eleven members of this year's state championship team were second generation wrestlers or had an uncle or brother who had wrestled on previous teams. At the high school level, six of the coaches had wrestled for the Braves during their own high school careers. Danny Lovell was a two-time state champion for the Braves in the 80's, Clint Hayes was a multiple time state placer, Tim Ervin was a state champ, Gary Ervin was a state placer, and Robert Ervin was a state champ and state Most Valuable Wrestler. There are also a couple of "adopted" family members on the coaching staff including University of Missouri's Big 12 Champion Marcus Hoehn and Mater Dei High School wrestling alumnus Bob Dezember. Representing the middle school program, all four coaches, John Brown, Aaron Carr, Billy Ervin, and Mike "Loader" Thomas, were also part of past Union County High School wrestling teams.

 

The elementary program is a further extension of the family in which all coaches also wrestled for UCHS, including Lovell, Hayes, Billy Ervin, Tim Ervin, and 1992 state champion Brad Ervin. The members of the extended family dynasty known as Union County wrestling have dedicated themselves to building and sustaining a championship wrestling program for the benefit of all the youth in Union County. Established several years ago as a feeder program for the high school, the middle school wrestling team has already claimed four state championships. Two years ago, an elementary wrestling program was initiated as an early instructional program and this year, Union County had its first elementary state champion. Apparently, the old adage proves true: Success breeds success.

 

According to UCHS head coach, Robert Ervin, "there is no tighter family than in the sport of wrestling." Union County Public Schools superintendent, Josh Powell, agreed, "It is clear that family values, intense dedication, discipline, and strength of character are the foundation of this program. With around 150 elementary wrestlers participating this year in the elementary program, it is uplifting to see the high school wrestlers involved in every practice with the young children. After a grueling championship season of sacrifice and focus, these dedicated young men turned their attention to sharing their experience and skills with others. The high school wrestlers provide the younger students with one-on-one instruction. During this, they encourage them and make it fun, but they also give and demand respect. This truly is the kind of system of which dynasties are built and stories are written," said Powell.

Modest as always, Ervin shies away from any recognition for what he or his family has done for Union County wrestling. "There are a number of great people who have been involved in Union County wrestling and have built a foundation for the success we are now seeing," said Ervin. "Loader Thomas started the program in 1972 and coached three state championship teams as well as had 18 individual state champions in his 11 years as head coach. I have to give credit to him for getting Union County wrestling off to an unbelievable start and setting a standard of excellence. Loader's newest contributions to the wrestling program are his grandsons, who both wrestled for our middle school team this season and placed at state." Loader is a well-known figure in Union County wrestling, and his championship teams are still fondly remembered as "Loader's Rollers."

 

Although he only coached for one year in 1985, Tim Ervin added to the Wrestling Braves' success by leading the team to second place in the state with three individual state champions. Robert Ervin continued to point out the success of Union County's past wrestling coaches by saying, "Dennis Walls coached for over 20 years and during that time had two state championship teams and 15 individual state champions. His tenure of 20 years is remarkable-he has to be credited for downright determination and love for Union County wrestling." Ervin continued, "Brad Hagedorn also made a big contribution to the Braves as a state champion wrestler, as well as a coach. He coached the middle school team for four years and had four state championship team titles. He also helped spearhead the development of our elementary programs."

 

Although wrestling has been one of Union County's strengths for a number of years, it is obvious the Ervin family has embraced it as their personal mission to spread the love of wrestling and give the opportunity for every Union County child to become a state champion. From their family alone, there have been a total of 15 individual state championship titles, three state tournament Most Valuable Wrestler Awards, a KHSAA Coach of the Year, an NHSCA national champion, a Dave Schultz High School Excellence National Award winner (presented by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum), and a family member on every Union County state championship team.

 

When asked about his family's achievements, Robert Ervin was quick to point out that many people and families have contributed to the success of Union County wrestling. "It's not about our family," he said, "this is about our entire community and the great success of these kids. They are state champions and they earned every bit of the recognition they receive." He continued, "Our family loves the sport of wrestling and the discipline and life lessons it instills in these young men. We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of such an outstanding program and so many young lives. It's more than building a program; it's about building character--one young man at a time."

 

The strength of the program is further evidenced by the fact that success does not end after high school. The UCHS Wrestling team has touched the lives of 16 young men who have gone on to wrestle at the collegiate level, with six of them being in the last four years. Union County wrestlers have placed at the NCAA college national tournament eight times and just recently, five Union County wrestlers competed at the NHSCA national tournament with two of them placing. When asked what makes a champion, Coach Robert Ervin said, "Drive and passion is what makes a champion. Willingness to train hard, work hard, discipline yourself, and make sacrifices. These kids deserve every drop of praise they get, because as a team and individually, they have shown a tremendous amount of grit and character. They set goals and stay focused on achieving them. Wrestling is a grueling sport and these kids give everything they have to attain their goals." Powell agreed, "Having a championship program, that now stretches from elementary all the way through high school and on into the collegiate level, is a great source of pride for our community. This is the embodiment of what the Union County Public Schools vision statement, A Passion for Excellence, is all about. We owe a great deal of thanks to every person who has advanced the Union County Wrestling program and instilled a sense of great pride for us all."

 

510 S. Mart St. • Morganfield, KY 42437

 

testedkIllinois & Indiana ain't far

 

 

[facenthecrowd]

Now coach, I'm not sure anyone wants that the night before what is to be a combined d1 & d2 State Championship ran in one single day. I'd love to see you & Cleveland or THE BROS go at it though!!

 

Maybe Ryan dice they've missed s date or two!?!?

 

What?

 

Please tell me this is a joke or is this really how you type.

 

 

Maybe Ryan dice they've missed s date or two!?!? - Could you please explain what you are saying!

Edited January 9, 2013 by facenthecrowd

[Sommers]

sorry about that face in the crowd uh all I can say is my audio texting doesn't always work on my android

[Sommers]

I remember father Ryan missing a match or to which may leave open a date if they wanted to take on Union County

[Sommers]

? Asterisk. S clamation point.,.,??! Happy face all I can say is you never know what is going to type for you... it's interesting what it will type and no I am NOT drinking and drivingand thank you so much mister face in the crowd and others that have had concern over this.

 

should be 1 of the toughest tournaments of the entire year state included though

[papbear3]

Sommers, t-shirt size?

[cbg]

What?

 

Please tell me this is a joke or is this really how you type.

 

 

Maybe Ryan dice they've missed s date or two!?!? - Could you please explain what you are saying!

The Father Ryan schedule shows that they should be @ Science Hill this weekend.

[Sommers]

Sommers, t-shirt size?

I'd like large but xL should work.

[rlwest40]

Cleveland and CBHS should be close in points for top 2 spots with McCallie and Union County in a tight race for 3rd and 4th.

[notscared]

I was told Wilson Central would be attending.?

Edited January 11, 2013 by notscared

[ghouse]

I was told Wilson Central would be attending.?

 

To the best of my knowledge they were never on the team list.

[BoroRef]

To the best of my knowledge they were never on the team list.

 

They are at Sycamore this weekend.....