The Forge

A Hoke Wrestling Family System

The Forge was formed in 2015 when Coach Walworth connected with Coach Finkbeiner and found out they had a shared vision for the sport of wrestling. The philosophy is that in order to become successful at the upper levels that youth must be taught the correct fundamentals. Both coaches wanted a family of wrestling bridging the Parks and Recreation with the USA/NCWAY /AAUYouth Club, the middle schools and high schools into one cohesive family.

Coach Finkbeiner was the head coach of Athens Drive when the two met and began forging the plan of One Family. Coach Finkbeiner joined the Hoke County staff in 2015 and the plan was put into place. Coach Finkbeiner's responsibility was to oversee the Family to ensure that everyone was teaching the same style, using the same terms, and getting the best our of each coach to use their strengths to teach all wrestlers their strength.

It is important to our Family that we are not out to just beat our neighbor but to create such a program that wrestlers through out will respect us as a program, from youth up and through high school while preparing our wrestlers to become civic minded individuals to better our community and to become successful members of society. While moving on to wrestle in college is a great accomplishment it will not prove to be our greatest achievement. Wrestling is the best sport to prepare one for life, for work, and for fun while forging friendships of a lifetime.

The Forge is run by a Board of Directors and the members are Vernon Walworth, Sean Finkbeiner, Brandon Locklear, Gabe Danet, Rick Henson, and Steven Warren. Each board member has committed themselves to the Family plan and work towards achieving the ultimate...One Family. Proof of this commitment is that every coach is Nationally Certified by the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS) in the sport of wrestling. Each member works with all levels of the family as the State Rules permit. Each coach works with the same practice plan. Each coach teaches Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman techniques.

Brandon Locklear is the lead clinician for the Forge. Gabe Danet is the second lead. Vernon Walworh and Sean Finkbeiner oversee the program in a supervisory and mentor role.

The Forge operates under the sanctions of USA and USA Wrestling. The cost of joining the Forge is $50 per sanctioning body per year. If you only want to wrestle Folkstyle for then $50 from August 31 - February 10. If You want to do mostly Freestyle and Greco then $50 from January 15 - July 31. If you want to do all three it is $100 from August - July 31. The wrestler would be responsible for their individual membership and any subsequent tournament fees. Scholarships are available to assist with member dues for those that qualify.

Hope you come join our Wrestling Family.