The TNT Wrestling Camp stands out as a pivotal training ground for young wrestlers, providing them with invaluable skills, competition, and mentorship. With a rich history and a dedicated staff, TNT Camps have become synonymous with wrestling excellence.
The Legacy of Carl Poff
The foundation of TNT Camps is deeply rooted in the career of Carl Poff, a name synonymous with wrestling excellence. Carl Poff got an early start in wrestling, stepping on the mat in third grade. It just might have been since his father Chris was a high school wrestling coach, who was later inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1979. Carl graduated from Council Rock High School in 1974. He was the team captain, and won sectional, district and regional titles for Hall of Fame coach Vic Stanley. He also garnered a freestyle state championship while in high school.
Carl wrestled at Bloomsburg University for another Hall of Fame Coach, Roger Sanders, and was a two-time NCAA qualifier. In 1979, Carl joined the BU staff as an assistant from 1982-1990 and was a highly respected technician. While there, the Huskies won over 100 meets, and placed in the top three in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference every year. He contributed to coaching three-time NCAA champion and National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Ricky Bonomo.
In 1990, Carl was selected as the head wrestling coach at Lock Haven University. He returned Lock Haven University to a powerhouse team and became the winningest wrestling coach in LHU history at 167-62-3. His 2000-01 team went 21-2 and his 1996-97 team finished fifth at the NCAA Division I tournament, the highest finish in school history, with five All-Americans.
Carl’s teams won four PSAC titles and the Eastern Wrestling League championship in 1997. He coached 80 national qualifiers, 14 All-Americans, two national champions, 20 EWL Champions, and 30 PSAC champions. He was PSAC Coach of the Year six times and EWL coach of the Year twice. He is a member of the LHU Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Possibly Carl’s strongest trait was his ability to build relationships with his wrestlers. He not only served as a coach, but more importantly as a mentor and role model. The greatest compliment a student athlete can give is to follow in their coach’s footsteps. Count the number of LHU and Bloomsburg alumni in the wrestling coaching ranks, from high schools and clubs, to the NCAA Division 1 level. Carl’s impact on his athletes is unmatched, which contributes to the ongoing growth of the sport of wrestling, and will be felt for decades to come.
Carl’s is a past executive director of the Lock Haven Foundation and is the owner of TNT Camps.
Carl Poff
TNT Camps: A Hub for Wrestling Excellence
Milton Hershey School recently welcomed wrestlers from across Pennsylvania to refine their skills and learn more about what the school has to offer. Taylor said the camp was held in direct response to a challenge issued by MHS President Pete Gurt ’85 earlier in the school year. The TNT Wrestling Camp staff included NCAA Division 1 National Champions, all-Americans, a bronze Olympic medal winner, and NCAA Division 1 coaches.
“The TNT wrestling camp gave me the opportunity to learn from the best,” said MHS 10th grader William Olson. “I believe this experience will benefit my future as a Spartan wrestler because I have seen what the best wrestlers in the world do in person. “I learned hard work pays off.
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MHS also welcomed Beat the Streets to the event, an organization that cultivates youth development in underserved communities through wrestling. Beat the Streets wrestlers from Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Lancaster visited MHS for the camp.
Team Building and Competitive Edge
The TNT Team Camp is designed for you and your team to gain the competitive edge for next season. Our junior and senior high team camps provide the opportunity to learn, compete and build team unity. The wrestlers gain valuable experience while your coaches and our staff evaluate and give instructional feedback. Numerous states are represented at this camp and the competition is considered outstanding.
It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that we will once again be offering a special camp for our upper weight athletes. Last years camp was very popular and a huge success with nearly fifty participants. The camp will be under the direction of two-time NCAA Heavyweight Champion Ziad Haddad. This camp will have a unique blend of outstanding competition, intense training and world-class instruction.
According to Kemal Pegram, Head Coach at Lower Dauphin High School, "Carl Poff’s TNT Camps have proven to be an integral component in the recent success that Lower Dauphin High School’s wrestling program has experienced. In addition to the tremendous competition, the camp offers excellent technique sessions administered by current college and high school coaches."
Billy Chamberlain, Head Coach at Manheim Central High School, notes, "The TNT Camp creates the perfect balance between technique, live matches and team bonding. The competition level meets the needs of both the novice and seasoned wrestler."
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TNT provides top notch technique from clinicians who truly care and show interest in all wrestlers. The competition is outstanding, with nearly forty teams participating from numerous states. Our team has been attending this camp for nearly twenty years and it has been a huge part of our success.
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Camp Highlights
- Technique Sessions: Excellent sessions administered by college and high school coaches.
- Live Matches: Balanced with technique sessions to provide a comprehensive training experience.
- Team Bonding: Opportunities to build team unity and camaraderie.
- Competition: Outstanding competition with nearly forty teams participating from numerous states.
- Instruction: World-class instruction tailored for upper weight athletes, led by champions like Ziad Haddad.
Testimonials
Here are some quotes that reflect the impact of TNT Camps:
| Name | Title | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Kemal Pegram | Head Coach, Lower Dauphin High School | Carl Poff’s TNT Camps have proven to be an integral component in the recent success that Lower Dauphin High School’s wrestling program has experienced. In addition to the tremendous competition, the camp offers excellent technique sessions administered by current college and high school coaches. |
| Billy Chamberlain | Head Coach, Manheim Central High School | The TNT Camp creates the perfect balance between technique, live matches and team bonding. The competition level meets the needs of both the novice and seasoned wrestler. |