2010 Spring Updates

Aloha Punahou Wrestlers, Parents and Friends,

As the 2010 school year begins winding down, we wanted to update you of all wrestling related activities occurring through the end of the school year and throughout the summer.  Below is a brief synopsis of each activity.   A detailed itinerary and/or information regarding each specific activity will be sent out accordingly. 

April:
-USAW Season and Tournaments (Puma/Inter/JV/Vars)
USAW tournaments have already begun and will run until May 29th.  During this season your wrestler will have opportunities to wrestle both freestyle (One of two Olympic styles of wrestling), and folk-style.   USAW tournaments require the purchase of an annual USAW card.  The cost of a USAW card is $35 and can only be purchased online at the following website: http://www.usawmembership.com/

May:
-AAU Maui Invitational Wrestling Tournament May, 15th Lahaina, Maui (Puma/Inter/JV/Vars)
In May Punahou will be competing in the annual AAU Maui Invitational Wrestling Tournament.  The tournament is open to all grade levels K-12, with K-8 wrestling folk-style and 9-12 wrestling freestyle.  This is a great opportunity for our youth programs to wrestle different teams with different styles, and to develop positive relationships with our neighbor island teams.  This tournament is also a great chance for high school wrestlers to wrestle a different style of wrestling that will help prepare them for next season, especially those who plan on going to Fargo with Team Hawaii later this summer.  We plan on leaving Friday, May, 14th in the early evening and returning Sunday, May 16th about the same time.  A Maui itinerary will be posted to the website shortly as well as handouts to be passed out at our Tuesday/Thursday practices.

-Punahou Puma Judo Program
Beginning in May, Puma and Intermediate Coach Nelson Nomura will be starting a youth Judo club that will meet on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 3:00pm-4:00pm in the wrestling room.  Judo is a great sport that helps athletes with their balance, body awareness and mental focus.  Judo will help your children learn to take a fall safely, increase their flexibility and provide them with a healthy perspective on life.  We look forward to the growth and success of this program and wish Coach Nelson the best.  More details to follow. 

-Washington Intermediate Eagle Wrestling Club Scrimmage (Inter)
Washington Intermediate 6th grade teacher and Coach Brett Kumabe (c/o ‘95) recently restarted the Washington Intermediate Eagle Wrestling Club.  Per our preexisting relationship, we would like to continue working together as neighboring schools in the wrestling community.  During the month of May we will have two joint practices with the Eagle wrestling club and an intermediate dual meet, games, award and potluck day to celebrate our friendship, and the ending  to our school years.  More details to follow.
 
-Spring Meat Club Beach Cleanup (Puma/Inter/JV/Vars)
The Punahou Meat Club will conclude their service projects with their Spring BBQ Makapu’u beach cleanup.  For those of you who didn’t make it out last time, you missed an awesome event and a fabulous meal.  While this event is optional, we are encouraging as many wrestlers to make it out as possible.  More details to follow.

Summer/June-July:

-Summer Wrestling (Puma/Inter/JV/Vars)
Summer wrestling practice will be on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 3:15-4:15 in Forrest Hall and will run concurrently with Punahou Summer School.  During this time period we will be focusing solely on folk-style.  To participate in summer wrestling your child must sign up through the Punahou summer school catalog. 

-Aloha State Games (Puma/Inter/JV/Vars)
The Aloha State Games is not a USAW event, and will be held in June.  This event is open to all levels and will be wrestled in Freestyle and Greco Roman.  More details to follow.  

-Steve Knight TEAM EXCEL Wrestling Camp Wednesday, June 30th – Saturday, July 3rd
Steve Knight is a former NCAA All American, Big Twelve Champion, freestyle world medalist and longtime coach with USAW.  He most recently coached the US national team in France at the Henri Deglane Invitational, and is director and head coach of Team Excel.  Steve has a great relationship with Hawaii and has been doing this camp for many years.  He is a great motivator and understands wrestlers of all levels.  His camp staff always includes some of the best wrestlers in the country and we highly recommend this camp for Punahou wrestlers of all ages.  

-Punahou Wrestling Summer Service Project
We are planning on having a program wide service event at some point during the summer.  More details to follow.

Thank you for your time.  All of these opportunities are available to your children, none of them are required.  Thank you for a great season from top to bottom, we look forward to seeing you all soon.

Ciao,

Coach Mike