One Nation, Under God

Malta Summer Slam Wrestling Camp

The Malta High School Old Gym was the site of the 2021 Malta Summer Slam Wrestling Camp from Monday, June 28, to Wednesday, June 30.

This year served as the second year of the camp. The first event was held in 2019 and canceled in 2020 due to the threat of COVID-19.

There was a total of 51 wrestlers from age five to age 14. A majority of campers were from Malta, but Great Falls was well represented with 11 wrestlers.

The camp, which was held from 10 a.m. to noon, then 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. was run by a few counselors, which included several Malta coaches on every level of Malta wrestling. The headlining coach was Isaac Bartel, who is a four-time Collegiate All-American and a 2021 National Champion wrestler for Montana State University-Northern.

Also helping lead the campers was Aaron Jensen, the head coach of Great Falls CMR wrestling. Jensen was also an All-American wrestler in his college days at Montana State University-Northern.

Local coaches included Malta Mustang High School Wrestling Coach Jake French, MSU-Northern senior Steeler French, Malta AAU coaches Kris LaBrie, Jesse Blunt, Luke Spencer, and Nick Oxarart.

The camp covered the fundamentals of wrestling, while also providing challenges for each age group.

"We started wrestling neutral, on our feet, then we would cover top position, bottom position, and we did lots of new drills for all age groups," LaBrie said.

The camp ended with a take-down competition, in which wrestlers were matched by age and/or weight.

"Kids just like to see who the best is," LaBrie said.

Though camp is competitive, the crew decided not to give individual awards.

"I don't like to give out too many awards because it gets too political, but this is just kind of a pride thing," LaBrie said. "There is no trophy or award for it."

After camp, a celebration bbq was held at Trafton Park.

 

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