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John Welch
elected president of the Metropolitan Wrestling Association
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
02/14/2006
John Welch of Seaside Park, N.J. has been named the new president
of the Metropolitan Wrestling Association (MWA).
Set Agonian of Woodside, N.Y., who served as the MWA President for
22 years, did not seek the position. Welch was elected by the Board
of the MWA to serve as its president during its meeting on January
9.
The Metropolitan Wrestling Association is an Allied Member of USA
Wrestling and a leader in the promotion and development of the sport
in the New York metropolitan region.
“I am very pleased and proud that John Welch has accepted this
position,” said Agonian. “He is very organized and well respected by
our Board. This position is a difficult challenge. I believe John
Welch will help the MWA to grow and thrive. Our Board is very
devoted to the cause of helping wrestling in the New York area.”
Welch is currently an at large member of the USA Wrestling Board of
Directors. He previously served as state chairman for USA Wrestling
New Jersey for 20 years. He is a past chairman of the State
Chairperson Committee for USA Wrestling, and has served in a variety
of other leadership positions within the organization on the
national and regional levels. Welch was named USA Wrestling State
Chairperson of the Year in 1990.
He is a mat official, with a National 1 rating, and has been active
with the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association. Welch has also been
as a member of USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Pool.
Welch also served as a successful high school wrestling coach for 20
years. Among the achievements which he is proud of was coaching two
of his sons to three
New Jersey
High School state championships.
“The biggest challenge is to unite the many different wrestling
factions in the metropolitan area to make wrestling grow,” said
Welch. “We need to help build inner-city wrestling, support our
college programs and work with local clubs to strengthen
international wrestling in our area. It is our goal to be a model
for the nation about how to build inner-city wrestling programs.”
Agonian provided leadership for this organization for two decades.
In 2003, Agonian was named USA Wrestling’s Man of the Year. During
his years as MWA president, the organization hosted numerous major
international wrestling competitions in
New York City,
as well as providing expanded opportunities for young people to
participate in the sport.
“Set is well known in
New York,
national and international wrestling circles,” said Welch. “Much
credit goes to Set for leadership in the
United States
serving as host of the 2003 World Championships of Wrestling in the
most prestigious venue in the world,
Madison
Square Garden. He will remain on the board as Past President, and
will insure an effective transition.”
Ed Gould of
Merrick,
N.Y., the current State Chairperson for USA Wrestling New York,
was elected as First Vice President. Sonny Greenhalgh of West
Patterson, N.Y., the wrestling chairman for the New York Athletic
Club, was elected Second Vice President. Marcia Haise of Babylon,
N.Y., a top international wrestling referee, was elected as
treasurer. Neil Duncan of Patchogue, N.Y. and John Rodin of
New Jersey
were elected as new members of the MWA Board. |
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