ZACH SHEAFFER NAMED ASST. WRESTLING COACH at Clarion

Posted on | September 28, 2010 | No Comments

Zach Sheaffer, 24, a former All-America heavyweight wrestler at Pitt, has been named assistant wrestling coach at Clarion University, it was announced today by Clarion A.D. Dave Katis.

Sheaffer replaces former Assistant Ethan Bosch, who stepped down from the position over the Summer.

“We’re really excited to have Zach on board,” said Clarion head wrestling coach Teague Moore. “Zach brings a great energy into our program. He’s young, has a great passion for the sport, and combined with his All-American abilities, will help take us to the next level.”

Moore, who begins his fifth season at Clarion, has worked very hard to return the Golden Eagles wrestling program back to its glory days of the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. Clarion was 8-8 last year, defated two top 25 ranked teams, and placed third at both the EWL and PSAC Championships.

“We hired Zach as the new head assistant coach because he showed us that his desire to win and his goals of motivating college wrestlers to succeed in the classroom and on the wrestling mat proved to me that he was the right candidate for the job.”

Sheaffer, a native of Carlisle, Pa. and Cumberland Valley High School, had a high school career record of 135-29, including a 48-1 record his senior year (2004). He finished third at the PIAA Championships in 2003 and 2004, and was a two-time district and regional champion. A three-time PIAA Qualifier, he also won the “Beast of the East” Tournament.

Moving on to the University of Pittsburgh, Sheaffer wrestled for veteran head coach Rande Stottlemyer from the 2004-05 season through the 2008-09 campaign. As a freshman heavyweight in 2004-05 he posted a 25-13 overall record, was an EWL Champion as a true freshman and an NCAA D-I Qualifier.

Zach red-shirted 2005-06, then came back in 2006-07 to post a record of 25-12, won the W&J Open and placed third at the Cornell Body Bar Invite.

In 2007-08 Zach was 35-11 overall, placed 6th at the prestigious Midlands Open and won his second EWL title, qualifying him for the D-I Nationals. Zach was 1-2 at nationals as a junior.

In his senior year Sheaffer reached the ultimate, an 8th place finish at the NCAA Div.I Nationals and an All-America placing at heavyweight. Zach finished the year with a 22-10 overall record, placed second at the Midlands Open and was 4th at EWL’s, while ending his career with an overall record of 107-46.

Zach received his degree from Pitt in 2009 and earned a degree in U.S. History. Last year (2009-2010) he was an assistant wrestling coach at Limestone College, before coming to Clarion.

“I am very excited to be here at Clarion and part of this wrestling program,” said Sheaffer. “I look forward to making a strong contribution to the team including working with our upper weights, working closely with our student athletes, providing quality leadership and providing an energy and passion that I feel for the sport of wrestling.”

Clarion starts its 2010-11 wrestling season on November 6th hosting the Clarion Open.

CLARION NOTES: Sheaffer joins Clarion head wrestling coach Teague Moore who is bringing Clarion’s NCAA Division I Program and tradition back to life … The Golden Eagles were third at EWL’s and PSAC’s last year, while sporting an 8-8 dual meet record… Clarion notched wins over top 25 teams Old Dominion (20-18) and North Carolina (25-19). Moore, 34, is preparing to begin his 5th year at Clarion … He is a native of Pittsburgh and North Allegheny High School… Moore had impressive wrestling credentials … He was a three-time PIAA placewinner including a runner-up in 1993, a third pace ending in 1994 and State Champion in 1995. He also was a three-time PA. State Freestyle Champion (1993-95), a three-time Junior National Freestyle Champion (1993, 94, 95) and National High School Champion in 1995… At Oklahoma State Teague was a four-year starter at 118-pounds for the Cowboys. A 4-time NCAA Division I National Qualifier, he was a three-time Division I All-American (1997-99), including an NCAA National Championship in 1998. He also placed third at nationals in 1999 and 4th in 1997. Teague was a Big 12 Champion in 1997 and 98 and runner-up in 1999. He posted a career record of 118-25 and was 15th in career wins at Oklahoma State at that time… Moore placed third at the US Olympic Trials in 2000, he won the US Open National Championship at 55KG in 2002, was a national team member and runner-up at the World Team Trials. In 2003 he was a National Team Member, was a Silver Medalist at the World Cup and placed third at the World Team Trials and the US Open Nationals. A National Team member in 2004, Teague placed third at the US Olympic Trials and at the US Open…Wrestling internationally, he was University World Champion (@ Tokyo, Japan) in 2000, Manitoba Open Champion in 2001, Yasar Dogu Champion (Ankara, Turkey) in 2002, Manitoba Champion again in 2004 and second at the Ulan Ude, Russian International Open, among others.