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New Executive Director Nathan Coburn is Ready for Challenge

Coburn named VAWA’s new Executive Director, to lead USA Wrestling association in Virginia

By Virginia Wrestling Association, 07/01/16, 4:00PM EDT

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July 1, 2016--The Virginia Wrestling Association (VAWA) has selected Nathan Coburn to continue the mission Andrew Farrar began as the state’s second Executive Director. Coburn will begin his new position on July 11 th , 2016. VAWA is state association for USA Wrestling the National Governing Body of the sport of wrestling in the United States. Nathan Coburn has been involved with the Virginia Wrestling Association in many aspects, as a competitor, coach, and tournament official—at the youth and high school levels.

No stranger to Virginia wrestling, Nathan grew up in Alexandria, Va. wrestling first in Hayfield’s Jr. Hawk program and later graduating from Hayfield Secondary School under the reigns of Hall of Fame coach Roy Hill. In high school, Coburn compiled over 100 wins, All-Northern Region all four years, a state placer his Senior year, and as both a Cadet and Junior he ended one win shy from All-American status at Fargo.

After high school, Nathan took two years off from competing and attended Old Dominion University as a student heavily involved in various business clubs and community service organizations, along with volunteering with Granby High School’s team alongside former high school and Team Virginia teammates. After a two-year hiatus, Nathan wrestled at University Nationals in Akron, Ohio earning All-American status in Greco Roman, along with the opportunity to walk on to Hall of Fame coach, Steve Martin’s Division I program at ODU.

Upon completion of two seasons competing for the Monarchs, Coburn graduated from Old Dominion with a double major in Business Analytics and Marketing in December of 2015. Since then, Coburn has been working in the litigation support and data management space for a consulting firm in Washington, D.C., while helping coach his former high school and offseason club team, the Gunston Wrestling Club.

“I relate to the kids in many aspects-- whether it’s pop culture, our upbringing, or our passion for wrestling. As a Virginia boy who's wrestled in this state my whole life, from a young age to the elite collegiate level, I’ve grown a tremendous pride for my state, the talent of wrestling that has come out of it, and the opportunity for growth of our great sport”, Coburn said. ”Wrestling for two of Virginia’s Hall of Fame coaches (both of which ironically were inducted the same year) has given me an incredible outlook on what it means to be a wrestler from the Commonwealth. I could never thank Roy Hill and Steve Martin enough for all that they’ve done, instilling in me two completely different styles of wrestling and coaching, and I hope that with this position I can help others in a similar way.”

As a volunteer assistant coach for the second half this past season, Coburn helped Hayfield’s All-Met team finish third in Virginia’s 6A State Tournament with two individual state champions: Xavery Washington (145 lbs.) who is entering his Senior year at Hayfield this coming fall, and Antonio Agee (182 lbs.) who finished his high school career nationally ranked with a runner-up finish at NHSCA Senior Nationals and will continue his career at Coburn’s alma mater, Old Dominion.

“I believe an advantage I have in taking this role is looking at it with more of a business- minded approach than a coach’s perception. I have a lot of experience in business development, marketing, and account management, and I’m going to use these skills to my advantage as I take on this position. I’m excited to give back to an organization that has done so much for me. I’d like to thank Bill Swink and the Board of Directors for allowing me the opportunity to help grow the great sport of wrestling in my beloved home state and I’m extremely excited for the great things to come for Virginia wrestling”, said Coburn.

“We are very excited to bring Nathan on as our Executive Director. His experience in business and his understanding of the Virginia wrestling landscape make him a great fit for VAWA. We are looking forward to him helping continue to improve and grow the organization and bringing new ideas and insight to our programs. We feel he will be an asset to our organization and the entire wrestling community.”

For more information on the VAWA and wrestling opportunities in Virginia, visit the VAWA website at: http://www.virginiawrestling.com/