By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

GUYTON – South Effingham’s two-time defending state champion wrestling program continues to lead the area wrestling community.

Last weekend, head coach Christopher Bringer orchestrated his first “Wrestle Fest,” which included a two-day, instructional camp at SEHS that drew 54 varsity athletes, a youth camp for 42 athletes, and a tournament with 135 competing.

For the varsity camp, Bringer brought in wrestling guru Cliff Fretwell, who runs Compound Wrestling, a training center in McDonough.

“I tell the kids and their parents, the most important month (for the Mustangs’ wrestling program) is June,” said Bringer, who was named Wrestling Coach of the Year and overall area Coach of the Year at the recent Coastal Empire Sports Awards banquet.

Bringer directed the Mustangs to an undefeated dual season en route to the Class 6A state title, then coached two individual champions and had the high-point team during the traditional state tournament.

He’s doing something right. He’s held 12 two-hour practices on campus during the summer, has taken the team to a week-long camp at Newberry College, and now the weekend “Wrestle Fest.”

“We teach all our technical things now so when the season starts, we’re jogging into it, instead of going in cold,” Bringer said. “We became good because our summers have been good.”

Fretwell said he works about 25-30 camps a year. During his 17 years in McDonough, he’s seen some of his pupils advance to wrestle in college and eventually go on to coaching.

“I love sharing the technical aspects of wrestling,” Fretwell said. “I love seeing (athletes) have growth and gains and be creative. It’s important to sharpen a skill and add that to what you’re trying to do. I understand not everyone in this room will wrestle in college or go on to coaching. But what we’re teaching is applicable in all phases of life. Work ethic and the ability to adapt go a long way in life.”

Bringer surveyed the room with pride July 12. All his Mustang wrestlers have attended “Wrestle Fest.”

But that’s not surprising. Twenty are on the football team and get to school at 7:30 a.m. to lift weights before going out to the football stadium for several hours of practice in the summer heat.

They finish at 11:30 a.m., get an hour to eat and rest and come back for wrestling practice from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

It’s a schedule Bringer keeps as a SEHS linebackers’ coach as well.

“Our two-hour (wrestling) practice is as hard as a mid-season practice,” Bringer said. “No one complains. No one tries to get out of it. It’s part of the culture now. We have 15 freshmen on the team and 14 have had perfect attendance.

“We’re at the point here where everyone knows what’s expected of them.”

Bringer said he’ll bring Wrestle Fest back next year and expand it to overnight.

Fretwell was impressed.

“It’s a tough balance and that’s why they’ve had a lot of success with this program,” Fretwell said. “If you want to be elite in sports these days, you have to put a ridiculous amount of time into it. The fact that the coaches are facilitating this speaks volumes of their commitment as a staff.”