SOUTH PARIS – An opportunity to learn wrestling from someone who has earned accomplishments at the highest level will be the featured attraction this summer at the Oxford Hills Area wrestling camp.
Former Olympian Lou Rosselli, the assistant coach at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, will be offering his expertise at the three-day wrestling technique camp on July 6-8.
The camp is already receiving registrations for youth entering the second grade up to high school. The camp will be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with a separate tournament on Saturday.
“We are trying to offer something that the area kids don’t have to spend a small fortune on and get some good instruction,” Oxford Hills wrestling coach Mark Dolloff said.
The camp theme boasts “wrestling does not build character, it reveals it.”
Rosselli will teach techniques that will work at all levels of wrestling.
A member on the 1996 Olympic team, Rosselli has accomplished a great deal throughout his career. He won a World Cup championship, is a three-time United States national champion, a university national champion and earned a silver medal in the PanAm games.
The camp staff will consist of Dolloff, University of Southern Maine coach Joe Pistone, Vikings assistant coaches Cimiron Colby and Tony Stevens and Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff.
“Lou’s focus is on basic techniques,” Mark Dolloff said. “He has a rather intense nature, so it makes for a great teaching atmosphere. He will gear what he teaches to what the staff would like to see. Lou is great with tilts and control wrestling, so that is a lot of his foundation.”
For the past two seasons, Oxford Hills has taken a team to Bruce Baumgartner’s wrestling camp at Edinboro. Baumgartner is an Olympic gold medalist. The Vikings also have sent several individuals to Rosselli’s summer camp in August.
Former Vikings two-time state champion Seth McAlister is a freshman at Edinboro. McAlister, who redshirted this season, was Shawn Bunch’s practice partner. Bunch was a finalist at the 2005 NCAA Div. 1 championships. Rosselli has said that the McAlister did really well against Bunch and also wrestled strong in three open tournaments.
The cost is $135 per wrestler, but, early registration is $110. If the camp draws enough participants, a larger camp may be held next season.
“This is our first formal camp,” Dolloff said. “So, we are hoping it goes well and we can expand the concept. It appears camps are picking up in Maine during the summer and that can only help our sport.”
There are several camping areas and other accommodations in the area, so parents are encouraged to stay and watch.
For more information, contact Dolloff at 743-2378 or Jack Pike 743-2078. Email:[email protected].
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