HISTORY OF MEDIA YOUTH WRESTLING

 

 

Media Youth Wrestling was founded in 1997. Lee Sitkowski, then Penncrest Wrestling Head Coach, worked with Penncrest Assistant Coach Ron Frank and active wrestling booster Roy Bell to recruit volunteers and conduct our first youth wrestling clinics. They saw that the success of the High School program had its foundation in the youth program. Today most of the PHS varsity wrestling team is comprised of former MYW wrestlers. One of their first recruits was Hank Ternove, an active local resident who saw the need to establish Media Youth Wrestling in the community. He worked with local officials, school district representatives, and anyone with an interest to formalize the group as a sustainable youth program. "Big Hank" still appears at club events, and our Most Valuable Wrestler award is named the Ternove Trophy in his honor. Some of the early coaches and leaders of Media Youth Wrestling were John Best, Dave Clifton, John Pantle, Ray Resnick, John Westby, Tom Muir, Bob Arbaugh, and John Guy. From the outset, the emphasis has been on sportsmanship and fun, and those goals have kept Media Youth Wrestling a strong and enthusiastic group. The first practice room for Media Youth Wrestling was located in a detached utility building behind Penncrest High School. It was a sweat oven, where the padded walls fell down and there were no bathrooms or decent water fountains. It was the perfect place to start a wrestling tradition.

 

Now the club is hitting its second generation of leadership, having graduated many of these founding parents and wresters to the next level. Rebuilding is a normal part of any volunteer organization. A new coaching staff comprised of some familiar names and some new bloods now lead the program. Ron Frank and Sean Orr lead our more experienced wrestlers and in the 2018 season Coach Frank’s sons, Ronnie and Liam Frank, MYW alumni, joined the novice room coaching staff.   In recent seasons, the coaching staff also included MYW alumni Bear (Steve) Resnick and Joe Gartland.  2018 saw the club successfully host its 16th annual Wrangletown Classic Tournament and while preparing for its second King of the Jungle Tournament, which will feature the first ever girl’s division in a MYW tournament.

 

We would like to thank all the wrestlers, parents, volunteers, coaches and sponsors that have made Media Youth Wrestling one of the most highly regarded clubs in Eastern Pennsylvania.  We also want to specifically thank our past presidents:  Tom Carr (2020-2018), Max McCauley (2018-2016), Mark DeJong (2016-2014), Mike Bender (2014-2012), Paul Louth (2012-2009), Stacy Wolfenden (2009-2007), John Westby (2007-2000), Dave Clifton (2000-1999) and Hank Ternove (1998-1997).