NEWPORT NEWS, VA. - Bruce Shumaker, long-time high school
wrestling coach across the Peninsula, was named today as the Head
Wrestling Coach at The Apprentice School by Director of Athletics
Bill Casto. Shumaker comes to the Builders after serving as the
coach at Lafayette High School since 1998.
"I'm excited to have Bruce join our coaching
staff," said Casto. "His experience and history of success makes
him a great addition to our program. Bruce's credibility in high
school wrestling across this state will greatly enhance our
recruiting efforts."
Shumaker graduated from Edinboro University where he was a
walk-on with the wrestling program who progressed to earning a
partial scholarship by the end of his first season. He won over 70%
of his collegiate bouts in his four-years and participated in two
Olympic Trials.
His first area stop was at Denbigh High School from 1974-80
before heading to Lexington, VA for a season as an Assistant Coach
at Virginia Military Institute and six years at Natural Bridge High
School. At Natural Bridge, he coached 10 individual state champions
and 12 place-winners from 1981-87.
He returned to the Peninsula in 1989 to coach at Mathews High
School where his teams compiled a 118-48 dual match record. His
Blue Devil teams won five regional and two state titles, while
placing in the top three four times. At Mathews he won his first of
two Virginia State Wrestling Coach of the Year honors.
Since 1998 he has been the coach at Lafayette High School in
Williamsburg. In that time his teams have been 184-41 in dual meets
and have won three Bay Rivers District Dual Meet titles. The Rams
have won three Region I titles and have been runner-ups five times.
In the Virginia Group AA Tournament the Rams have been in the top
10 seven times in nine years including two fourth-place finishes.
Former Daily Press wrestling reporter, now Director of
Media Relations for the National Wrestling Coaches Association,
Jason Bryant, had nothing but praises for Shumaker and his return
to collegiate coaching.
"Having grown up in Hampton Roads and knowing Bruce
Shumaker on both a personal and professional level, I think the
Apprentice School is making a sound choice," said Bryant who is
also the lead wrestling writer and webmaster for
Intermatwrestle.com. "Bruce is loyal to the area, a solid technical
coach, holds a great knowledge of the sport of wrestling and is one
of the most respected coaches in the state and
country."
Shumaker looks to hit the ground running with the Builders.
"I feel very fortunate to be the new coach of the
Apprentice School. This is a serious wrestling program and there
will be a new challenge every week," he said. "Our first priority
will be to continue the success of the Builder's wrestling and then
to make a connection with some of the local talent."
