Oct. 13, 2009
Conant Clinic Registration Form (PDF)
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head coach Tim Cysewski has announced the special addition of NU alum and 2009 World Freestyle silver medalist Jake Herbert to his staff of featured clinicians at the 'Cats' annual coaches clinic on Sunday, Nov. 1. The clinic will once again be hosted by Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
After winning his second NCAA championship and the 2009 Hodge Trophy last spring, Herbert began his international wrestling career in spectacular fashion by becoming a U.S. Open champion and earning the right to wrestle at the 2009 World Freestyle Championships in Denmark in September.
Herbert, an Olympic hopeful for 2012, enjoyed a triumphant first experience at the world championships as he became the first American wrestler since 2003 to advance to the title match of his respective weight class (84 kg).
"We're really excited to have Jake take part in our coaches clinic and that he's decided to train in the Chicagoland area," Cysewski said. "We are confident that the combination of our program, the Overtime School of Wrestling and the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs will help him become a world and Olympic Champion."
After six years as Herbert's head coach, Cysewski knows firsthand the qualities Herbert possesses that will make him an important contributor at this year's coaches clinic.
"Jake's strengths as a wrestler lie in his training routines and his attention to detail with every technique he uses," Cysewski said, "so I think the coaches that attend the clinic really have a chance to pick up on some high-level training methods."
Coaches interested in registering for the clinic should complete and return the brochure posted at the top of the page or send an email to wrestling@northwestern.edu for more information.
Joining Cysewski and Herbert as featured clinicians will be NU associate head coach Drew Pariano and assistant coach Matt Storniolo. Pariano has been an integral part in developing and training the three national champions and eight All-Americans NU has placed over the last three seasons while Storniolo, a former All-American for Oklahoma, joins Northwestern this season after helping guide Ryan Williams to the 141-pound national championship match as a volunteer assistant coach at Old Dominion last season.
Also on-staff at the clinic is the Wildcats' volunteer assistant, Will Durkee, a former NCAA qualifier for Northwestern now in his fourth season as a member of NU's coaching staff.
Prior to his appearance at the Conant clinic, Herbert will be present at Northwestern's home football game against Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 31, to be officially recognized for his achievements at Northwestern--where he posted a 149-4 collegiate record--and for his recent success on the world freestyle stage.