Athlete of the Week: New Head Coach for Wrestling Team

Algonquin is welcoming two new young coaches this year to its wrestling team. A relatively young program compared to some, the wrestling team at the high school starts its season at the beginning of December.

Northborough Patch talks with Brian Kramer, ARHS varsity wrestling head coach. Kramer was on the Hopkinton High team for four years, going 37-7 as senior captain in 2007. He also placed second in the Division 3 State Finals in 2007, and second in the All-State Tournament that same year. Kramer attended State University of New York College at Oneonta for four years, where he was a varsity wrestler, two years as captain.

Most recently, Kramer was the assistant coach at St. John's in Shrewsbury. Kramer currently works as a special education aide in the Zeh School.

"After graduating this past May," said Kramer. "I knew I wanted to take a positive step toward my teaching career as well as my coaching career. Participating in the sport for the past nine years, I have grown to love and embrace it. Knowing I wanted to stay involved, coaching seemed to be the next logical step. In my mind coaching is an extension of teaching and another position where I can become a positive role model for kids of all ages."

Kramer said that landing the job in Northborough was ideal because he is able to run the program to his standards, and it is also close to his hometown of Hopkinton.

"Additionally, I was lucky enough to pick my own assistant coach," he said. "Derek [Grant, assistant coach] and I grew up and wrestled for Hopkinton High School. I went on to wrestle for the State University of New York College at Oneonta, while Derek wrestled for Bridgewater State University. Derek went to school for physical education and is pursuing a career in personal training. His background will surely be pivotal in our attempt in developing a competitive wrestling program."

ARHS's wrestling season starts off with a tournament on Dec. 10 at King Philip High School, and its first home meet is Dec. 14 vs. Tyngsboro High. ARHS also hosts a large quad meet with three other teams on Jan. 21.