October 28, 2019

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Wrestlers, age eight to 14, are invited to join Howard County's Department of Recreation & Parks on Saturday, November 2, as it welcomes U.S. Olympic gold medalist wrestler Brandon Slay to its Gary J. Arthur Community Center for a pre-season wrestling clinic. Open to boys and girls, participants must have at least one year of recreation-level wrestling experience to participate. Cost is $40 per wrestler and pre-registration is required, as space is limited. "Our County is excited to welcome a U.S. Olympic Champion to this region and provide a special opportunity for our young athletes that is sure to be one of the biggest draws of the year," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. "This exceptional event is another example of the quality offerings from our Department of Recreation & Parks. From classes to camps to sports and more, Howard County works hard to make this jurisdiction the very best in the nation for our kids to learn and grow. I encourage all young people, ages eight to 14, to join us on November 2nd to discover what can be achieved with dedication and a dream."

Slay, who won the Gold Medal in Freestyle Wrestling at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, is a two-time University National Champion, a two-time NCAA All-American for the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He currently serves as the Executive Director and Head Coach of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center based in Philadelphia. "It's an honor to have Brandon bring his Olympic-caliber wrestling expertise to the Gary J. Arthur Community Center and to Howard County" said Raul Delerme, Director of Recreation & Parks. "We are very excited for what will undoubtedly be an educational and formative experience for our local student athletes."

"Brandon is not only bringing his knowledge of wrestling techniques to this clinic, but also the experiences from his wrestling career that have made him a better person," said Recreation & Parks Sports and Fitness Manager Amy Patton. "While he's had many successes as a professional athlete, he's also had to overcome many setbacks before he could claim the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics. I think our kids will relate to the victories and defeats that molded him into the mentor and role model he is today."

A true "community facility" built to serve the growing population in the western part of the county, the Gary J. Arthur Community Center is located within Cooksville's Western Regional Park. The Community Center features a fitness room, gymnasium with two basketball courts, indoor walking track, multi-purpose rooms, commercial kitchen, activity rooms and more. To learn more about this facility, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/GJACC.