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May 20, 2005 Still grapplingCulver Academies' Schenk brings
home championships
CULVER -- Twenty-three years ago, Russ Schenk became Tarpon Springs (Fla.) High School's first state wrestling champion. Now at age 42, Schenk, the head wrestling coach and fitness center director at Culver Academies, is still grappling and taking 'em down to the mat. Last month at the New Orleans Veterans National Championships, open to wrestlers ages 35 and older, Russ won both the Greco-Roman and freestyle 167-pound titles. He couldn't have done it without his family's help. In one of his matches, he was losing big time -- 6-0. "I looked up during that match and saw my wife, Sherri, and son, Storm, in the stands. Her expression told me that she knew that I could do it. It was all I needed." It all happened within 10 seconds. "My takedown move is a duck under and I ducked him and hit him with a five-point throw. Then I gut-wrenched him and I was up 7 to 6." That turned out to be the winning score. Russ was raised in Pemberville, Ohio. He started wrestling in the seventh grade. "Being a Midwesterner, I tried basketball," he said, "but after the third or fourth game and not playing much, I asked the coach if I could go out for wrestling." It was a good choice. In high school he was an undefeated Florida state champion and All-American. At the University of Central Florida on a full scholarship, he was the NCAA regional champion and in 1984 was chosen as a college All-American wrestler. Russ wrestled in the USA Olympic Regional Trials in 1984 and 1992. "I wanted to try again in '88," he said, "but the trials were three weeks after my knee surgery and it was impossible.
"In 1992, my reflexes just weren't what they had been as far as competing with younger guys, but I knew I had to try. I never want to look back and think I didn't give it my best shot." As a high school coach for 15 years, Russ worked with wrestling teams at four Florida schools before accepting his current responsibilities at Culver Academies. His first year (2004-2005) at Culver produced the team's second winning wrestling season since 1987, with a record of 19 wins and 5 losses. "I teach the kids that if they believe in themselves, they are going to be successful." In June, Russ, who lives in Rochester, will take on the directorship of the first World Class wrestling camp at Culver Academies. The camp will be from June 19 through June 23 for wrestlers ages 8 to 18. He will be assisted by two of the top high school coaches in the country: Jeff Buxton, head wrestling coach at Blair Academy in New Jersey and Russ Cozart, head coach at Brandon High School, Florida. On July 10, Russ, a National Strength and Conditioning Association Specialist and Practitioner, will head up the first annual Kiwanis and Culver Academies Triathlon. "I am really excited about this," Russ said. The Triathlon, consisting of swim, bike and run events, will be held at the academy for both men and women. "We could sure use the help of 100 local volunteers to man the boats, water stations and help with registrations," he said. Russ has not yet made plans to retire from competition. "Wrestling is a unique sport," he said. "Once you buy into it, it's just something you have to do. At the master's level, competing against people your own age, it's a lifelong journey to stay involved. "It takes strength and conditioning, mentally and physically," he added. "And sometimes if it means getting your butt beat, then so be it. It won't happen again." |
Russ Schenk of the Culver
Academies has earned two more national wrestling tournaments
titles.