J'Den Cox Inspires at Coaches Convention

Emphasizing the need for having both mental toughness and the right skills, Two-Time World Champion and Olympian J'Den Cox inspired and impressed at the second annual Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Convention.

Cox led technique sessions both Friday night and Saturday morning to captive audiences.  In all, roughly 150 wrestling coaches were on hand to listen and learn.  And, from time to time, engage, as Cox often brought audience members who asked questions onto the mat to demonstrate various moves.

Hosted by Beat the Streets Chicago and the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA), the conference was the second of its kind in Illinois.  This year, the convention was held Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 at the Holiday Inn in Countryside.  The agenda included technique clinics, rules interpretation sessions, motivational workshops, conversations about helping athletes get to the collegiate level, a vendor fair and a social for fun and networking.

In addition to J'Den Cox, the convention was honored to have an elite group of presenters:

Tony Clarke, IHSA Head Clinician, NFHS Rules Committee

J'Den Cox - 2x UWW Freestyle World Champion, 4x World Medalist, currently ranked #1 in the world at 92kg men's freestyle

Mark Ellis, NCAA Champion, FCA Midwest Director of Wrestling, Assistant Coach at Grand Canyon University

Bill Honeycutt, IHSA Clinician, 2003 IWCOA Hall of Fame Inductee

Elliott Hopkins, National Federation of State High School Associations Director of Sports, Sanctioning and Student Services

Andrew Howe, NCAA Champion, Olympic Alternate and Associate Head Coach at Northwestern University 

Jeremy Hunter, NCAA Champion and Assistant Coach at University of Illinois

Bryan Medlin, Director of Operations, Illini Wrestling and Head Coach, Illinois Regional Training Center

Dave Mirikitani, Wrestling Guru

Mike Powell, Executive Director, Beat the Streets Chicago

Jason Tsirtsis, NCAA Champion, Assistant Coach at Indiana University

Robbi Vincent, Owner, College Wrestling Recruiting

Thanks to all who came out for this terrific event.

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