Churella Brothers to Host Pre-Meet Clinic
11/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan wrestling program will host a free wrestling clinic on Sunday (Nov. 16) from 12-2 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena. The clinic is open to the public and will feature technique and practice-planning instruction from former Wolverine standouts Ryan and Josh Churella. Video cameras will be permitted and attendeesare welcome tocome down to mat level during the clinic.
Ryan Churella (2003-06) was a three-time NCAA All-American and Big Ten Conference champion at 149 and 165 pounds, just the eighth Wolverine in program history to accomplish such a task. In his final season at Michigan, Churella posted a near-perfect 29-1 record and advanced to the 165-pound final at the NCAA Championships. His 117-18 career record places him sixth in the U-M record book for career winning percentage (.867) and 17th in career wins. He also ranks ninth among the all-time pin leaders with 35 career falls.
Josh Churella (2005-08) wrapped up his collegiate career last spring with a 126-21 record -- ranking 12th among Michigan's all-time wins leaders -- and three All-America citations. He boasted a career-best 35-1 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. He lists as one of only three Wolverine wrestlers to achieve both feats in his first varsity season.
Both Churellas continue to train in freestyle wrestling for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Ryan placed fourth in the 74 kg/163-pound division at the 2008 Olympic Trials and third at the 2008 U.S. Senior Nationals.
Immediately following the clinic, wrestling fans will get their first look at the 2008-09 Michigan team at the annual Maize and Blue Intrasquad as the final wrestle-offs will determine the starting rotation.
For any further information regarding the clinic or intrasquad meet, please contact the Michigan wrestling office at 734-647-1223.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
