Update on the youth wrestling program:

While work continues on the renovation of our mat room in the First Baptist Church, the youth wrestling team is practicing at the Huntington Street Baptist Church Monday and Tuesday nights, from 5:30-7:45.
For more information, contact Coach Rashib at: (860)333-4464.

Crystal Avenue boxing program:

Work on the new boxing room at the Thames River Apartments has been ongoing. The room has been painted and the ring and heavy bags will be installed in the next few weeks. Heavy Hitters USA would like to thank the Buscetto Family & Friends Fund and Mr. Keith Brothers and Laborers Local 547 for their generous donations and support for this important project. We would also like to thank Mr. John Carey of Waterford for the donation he made to Heavy Hitters in the name of his uncle. Banners will be displayed in the gym, showing the kids the names of the people and organizations who believe in them and in what can be achieved here.

Update on the Mat Room

Our new mat will arrive at the end of December and work continues on the restoration of the mat room. Our new target date is January 2nd. Sorry for the delay, but team practice continues at the Strike Zone Gym and competition for the winter season starts on November 27th. at New Milford High School.

"Gloves, Not Guns" Boxing Program

We hope to be starting a boxing program in the Thames River Apartments on Crystal Avenue in New London by January 2nd. We are following the trail of the former Taino Boxing Club that operated there several years ago. Our former gym, WAC Boxing, helped get Taino started and we look forward to continuing some of the fine work Taino accomplished. With the help of Dominion Power, we will be putting equipment and staff together over the next few weeks.

Happy Holidays from Heavy Hitters USA and everyone at the Strike Zone Gym!

Heavy Hitters USA would like to thank everyone involved with the Whaling City Takedown Tournament and the Max Askren Clinic. It was a great day for all. This was an event co-hosted by the Whaling City Wrestling Club and Waterford Youth Wrestling. We look forward to having Max back at a future event.
Thanks to:
Max Askren: 2010 NCAA D-1 National Champion
Brennan Ward: Assistant Wrestling Coach, Johnson and Wales University
Orlando Peace and Liz Burdick
Brent Smith and Family
USAWCT: Sarah Jadach and Paul DeFosse
New London High School and Mike Gorton: Asst. NLHS Wrestling Coach
Members of the Uconn Wrestling Club
Steve Bilheimer and CJ Satti for the use of the Ledyard Mats
All the wrestling clubs, coaches and parents that participated in the event
All the volunteers that helped before and throughout the day
The Norwich Bulletin for covering the event.
SPECIAL THANKS to John Satti and Family and their hard work and dedication to the sport of wrestling. John's energy and perseverance, which are pulled in many directions, are important ingredients in our recipe for success.

To the wrestlers, parents and supporters:

Work continues on the repairs in the mat room. New wrestling mats have been ordered and we hope to be in full operation by the end of November.

Thanks again for your patience and a special "thank you" to Darryl MarcAurele, HH USA Associate Director and Gentleman James Fainer and the Blue Collar Brigade of Millstone Point. These men and women, representing the Connecticut Building Trades, have been been great supporters of the Heavy Hitters Program and have responded again with a generous donation to help with the mat room repairs.

Corporate Dominion, our "Hit the Switch, From the Street to the Mat" program sponsor and the men and women of Millstone will always have the gratitude of every young wrestler in our program.

The mat room in the First Baptist Church is temporarily closed due to water problems and restoration in the church. We are not sure at the present time how much of our equipment will be lost but we have made arrangements at another location to continue our program while these problems are addressed. Sorry about the inconvenience.
We will post the days and times of practice as soon as we are up-and-running.

Whaling City Boxing:

The Whaling City Boxing Team has been competing in New England and throughout Connecticut in preparation for the 2012 Western New England Golden Gloves Championship in January and February. Whaling City wants to bring the Team Championship Title they won in 2010 back to New London for 2012!

Congratulations to Angel Guzman for a great win at the San Juan Center in Hartford last Saturday night. Angel is now 7-0 and a hopeful for the 132 pound division Golden Gloves Championship. Kelsey Kaiser, our 112 pound Western New England and Regional Champion, with be fighting for the P.A.L. Belt in Fall River this Friday night (9/23).

Good luck from Lady Luck Boxing!

The Whaling City Wrestling Club is up and running for the Fall season. The hours are as follows:

Monday and Wednesday: Tadpoles ( ages 3-6 ) 5:00 pm-5:45pm

Monday and Wednesday: Wrestlers, ages 7-High School-- 6:00 pm-7:45pm

Friday: Team only practice to be scheduled by coaching staff.

Men's Team: Times and days to be established.

All wrestlers, with the exception on non-competing Tadpoles, must have a USA Wrestling Card!

For more information, please call Ramonita Ramos, Registration Director for WCWC:

( 860 ) 857-7242.

Please let me take a moment to explain the purpose of the Banner Ad Campaign because there are two import parts to this program. First, the more obvious part is the financial aspect. Proceeds from this program will help defray travel expenses and entrance fees to competition and help purchase head gear, singlets, knee pads and uniforms.

The second part, equally as important, is the chance to point out to the kids, young adults and coaches the businesses in the community that believe in and support all the hard work and effort that goes in to a wrestling program. This is a way to quietly cheer for these kids every night they are in the mat room surrounded by these banners and a tangible way to demonstrate that businesses are an enormously important part of the community and their support is essential to the success of these programs. Many young people don't understand the hard work that goes into operating a business, and this is also an opportunity to point out to the wrestlers and parents that we need to help support the people that support us!

Thank you and I look forward to seeing your banner flying!
Kent Ward.

Heavy Hitters USA and the "Hit the Switch" wrestling program would like to thank Blair Tugman and the Team Tugman wrestlers and parents for coming to the Whaling City Wrestling Club for a scrimmage. It was a great session and something we certainly will continue in the future.

From the "boxing front" at Nomads Adventure Quest in South Windsor, CT., congratulations to Miguel Soto for his 1st round win (TKO) in his first time competing in the 152 pound weight class and in the Open Class Division ( 10 fights and over). Miguel showed good ring command and demonstrated that the hard work he puts in will make him a top contender in the 2012 Golden Gloves.

Also, congratulations to John "Football" Naples for his 1st round TKO win (RSC) at the Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee, Mass. John, fighting for Darryl MarcAurele's Team Strike Zone, competes in Amateur Mixed Martial Arts. Great job by Big "D" and John's teammates to get him ready for this event. John trained hard for this and clearly showed he will be a force to contend with in future events.

Help support WHALING CITY WRESTLING CLUB and the “HIT THE SWITCH, FROM THE STREET TO THE MAT” Youth Program with your company banner that will be proudly displayed in our new mat room, along with banners from other businesses that believe in the importance of what will be achieved here. More info >>>>

Heavy Hitters USA is extremely pleased to announce that Dominion Power has come on board as our major corporate sponsor, helping to fund the Whaling City Wrestling Club and its "Hit the Switch, From the Street to the Mat" youth and young adult wrestling program.

Dominion employees have been very supportive of the Heavy Hitters program through the years, but with this commitment and generous contribution from Dominion Corporation, we feel we have attained a new level of recognition. We would like to thank Mr. Arnold "Skip" Jordan and the wonderful people from the Dominion Foundation for making this gift possible.

"Heavy Hitters USA, providing a path to a brighter future;

Dominion Power, helping to light the way"

Schedule Update: Wrestling

Starting on Monday, February 21st, the schedule for Whaling City Wrestling Club practice, held in the Mat Room at the First Baptist Church, will be as follows:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday:
*Tadpole Wrestling: 4:00-4:45 pm Ages 3-6
*Youth Wrestling: 5:00-6:45 pm Ages 7-12
*High School and Adult Wrestling: Days and times will be established this week.

Schedule Update: Boxing

Starting on Tuesday, February 22nd, the schedule for Whaling City Boxing Club's "Gloves
not Guns" program, held at the The Strike Zone, will be as follows:
*All ages are welcome on Saturday mornings, from 10:00-11:30 am.
*Youth Boxing: Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-4:30 pm. Ages 7-12
Older kids interested in boxing can join the Whaling City Boxing Club and attend
practice on days and at times established by their coaches.

    Heavy Hitters USA would like to congratulate Kelsey Kaiser and Marcia Agripino for winning the 2011 Western New England Golden Gloves Novice Championships in the woman's 112lb. and 125 lb. divisions and advancing to the New England Championship finals at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell Mass., on Tuesday, February 15Th at 7:30 pm. Kelsey and Marcia represent Whaling City Boxing Club's "Lady Luck" Boxing Team and have been very supportive of the Heavy Hitters USA programs.

Good luck ladies and remember, hands up, chin down and keep punching!

    Results from 2011 Western New England Golden Gloves:
Miguel Soto, representing the Whaling City Boxing Club, won his quarter final and semi-final matches to advance into the finals on February 5th at Nomads Adventure Center in Windsor, Connecticut. Miguel, boxing in the 141 pound weight class, joins teammates Roberto Vega and Kelsey Kaiser in their quest for the Golden Gloves Championship.

Congratulations and good luck from everyone at Heavy Hitters USA!

    It's official! The new wrestling mat room in the First Baptist Church is up and running. Youth practice is held every Monday and Wednesday from 5-7 pm. If anyone is interested in participating in the program, please call Kent at (860) 235-0212. We will be having an official grand opening sometime in February.

Heavy Hitters USA would like to thank everyone involved with the youth tournament held January 2nd at New London High School and hosted by the Whaling City Wrestling Club. The New London High wrestling coaches and many of their wrestlers volunteered at the event and were a great help. Special thanks to Ledyard High School and Middle School for lending their mats to us and to everyone who put in the time and effort to make our first tournament a success.

    It's been fun and productive Summer! Sorry about the delay in posting updates and schedules. We've been putting some new projects together and this has taken more time and resources than expected! However, things are coming together and we will continue to provide our usual programs while we are working on development in other areas.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

   Whaling City Wrestling Club's coach Rashib Robledo was pleased with the way the kids wrestled and how well they conducted themselves throughout the day. Although there were only four wrestlers from the club, it marked the beginning of a new era for New London youth wrestling.

The following kids competed in the tournament:

Nicholas Ramos-- Middle School division
Keith Verdini--Middle School division
Deyvon Verdini--Elementary School division (3rd place)
Hashim Barnhill--Elementary School division (3rd place)

Congratulations on a great day!

    The Coast Guard Academy is excited to invite Heavy Hitters USA and various students from the surrounding Greater New London Area for an immersive day on campus. Students will interact with cadets, athletes, and administrators as they tour the facilities. This event looks to support the efforts of New London’s superb non-profit organization: Heavy Hitters USA. In addition, the Academy will continue to host events like this as we celebrate 100 years in the City of New London. See you Saturday!!

Program

- 10am - Arrive @ CGA

-Tour-Activities

-Free Lunch For Students

-Videos

    For more info contact:

Mr. Orlando Peace

Tel: 860-449-3179

Email: opeace@comcast.net

    Heavy Hitters USA would like to thank everyone involved with the April 11th fundraiser hosted by Applebee's Restaurant in Groton, Connecticut. This event was very successful and benefited Whaling City Boxing Club's "Gloves, not Guns" youth program. Special thanks to Applebee's and their wonderful staff; Mr. Orlando Peace, HH USA Program Coordinator and his "crew" of kids and coaches; and extra special thanks to the event coordinator Kelsey Kaiser, her family and her ever supportive teammates on Whaling City's Lady Luck Boxing Team. We would also like to express our appreciation to everyone who purchased tickets and attended this event. Your support helps make our program a success!

    Sixty-one years ago, boxing was discontinued at the United States Coast Guard Academy, the year I was born. Maybe it was fate that, having been involved with boxing for over forty years, I would have some small part in the return of a boxing event to the Academy, located in the city where I grew up. Probably not, but Heavy Hitters USA certainly had a very prominent role in its return. With the help of Mr. Al Valenti, boxing promoter from Boston and the Connecticut USA Boxing Program, Heavy Hitters USA was able to bring the United States Marine Corps Boxing Team to New London for the first time. The Coast Guard Academy, through the efforts of their boxing coach Chris Soto, hosted the event and did a great job. Billard Hall, where the competition was held, was filled with energy, enthusiasm and cadets that were helpful throughout the event. One could almost feel the presence of the ghosts of boxing past smiling with pride in the arena they had competed in themselves so many years ago. There were also fans from New London who had never been inside the Academy gates before. Because of boxing, the playing field had been leveled and the cadets and the New London fans stood side-by-side for a moment that many will never forget.

    I would like to thank everyone involved with the production of this event and the sponsors and donors whose contributions helped Heavy Hitters defray some of the expenses. I would especially like to thank Mr. Orlando Peace, Program Coordinator for Heavy Hitters USA, for all the work he did and continuously does for the program, and Chris Soto and Tom Barile, CGA boxing coaches, for the work they do with their boxing program and for opening the “doors of possibilities” for the Heavy Hitters program.

Best Regards,
Kent Ward

(click to see more pictures)