ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Cliff Keen Wrestling Club members Josh Churella and Jimmy Kennedy will headline a free wrestling clinic, sponsored by the University of Michigan wrestling program, on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena. The clinic, the first of the 2011-12 season, is open to all ages and skill levels and will feature technique instruction from Churella and Kennedy as well as members of the Wolverine team. No registration is necessary, and video cameras will be permitted.
As a Wolverine wrestler (2005-08), Churella wrapped up his collegiate career with a 124-21 record — ranking 15th among Michigan’s all-time wins leaders — and three All-America citations. He boasted a career-best 31-5 record during his junior season; the same year he advanced to the 149-pound final at the NCAA Championships. Churella began his career at 141 pounds, where he won a Big Ten title and earned All-America honors as a freshman.
Kennedy was a three-time All-American at the University of Illinois (2007-09, ’11), placing fifth at 141 pounds as a senior after earning back-to-back top-five NCAA finishes at 133 pounds during his sophomore and junior seasons. His career record of 119-24 ranks eighth in Illini program history.
Both wrestlers are currently training in Ann Arbor, Mich., for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Churella ranks third on USA Wrestling’s 66kg/145.5-pound freestyle ladder after twice placing third at the World Team Trials (2010, ’11). Kennedy, in his first full year of freestyle competition, ranks ninth at 60kg/132 pounds. He took second at 2010 University World Team Trials and, more recently, fourth at the 2011 Sunkist Kids International Open.
Following the clinic, the Wolverines will square off against Wisconsin for their 2011-12 home opener at Cliff Keen Arena. The Big Ten Conference dual is slated for a 2 p.m. start, and all clinic participants will receive free admission to the meet and a food voucher. Accompanying parents and coaches are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance via the U-M Ticket Office.
For any further information regarding the clinic, please contact the Michigan wrestling office at 734-647-0248 or email mfsears@umich.edu.
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