A familiar face to Clarkston Wrestling is back in a new role as native Derek Moscovic takes over as head coach for the varsity team.
One of his goals in his new role is to carry on the Clarkston tradition.
“The tradition to me is to be one of the top teams in the state every year, if not state championship,” said Moscovic. “Clarkston competes in everything. They have a long history of competing with the best in the state.?
Another goal is to have more individuals on the wall and team state championship.He added he knows some people say it is unrealistic but he doesn’t think so.
“Someone has to do it every year,” Moscovic said. “Someone has to win individual and team championships – why can’t it be Clarkston?”
Moscovic also will continue to use his wrestling and coaching experiences to help the wrestlers with each practice and each match. It will help with his other goal to lead the wrestlers to the right path.
“When an athlete wins, it’s the athlete,” he said. “When the athlete loses, it’s the coach’s responsibility. I believe that. I know it’s not always fair to the coaches but I believe it’s the truth.?
Moscovic spent 2002-2010 as the Clarkston High School Varsity Wrestling assistant coach. During the time the program had five state champions, over 20 state place winners and numerous state qualifiers.
He is also coach and president of Integrity Wrestling helping younger wrestlers to not only have a successful experience but a fun experience as well.
Moscovic knows about tradition. His grandfather was on the first wrestling team in Canonsburg, Penn., a small steel mill town. His father also wrestled and continued the sport in college at California University of Pennsylvania. He came to Clarkston after accepting a teaching job and set the foundation for the wrestling program.
Born and raised in Clarkston, Moscovic wrestled at Clarkston Junior High School before going on to Brother Rice High School to win three state titles in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
Following his success he went to Indiana University were he was a four year varsity letter winner, Big Ten place winner and NCAA qualifier in 1996 and 1997.
He is a firefighter and paramedic for Independence Township and works with Moscovic Building.
He is also a family man spending time with his wife Shannon and three children Stone, MacieLou and Mack.
“I think we are going to have an exciting year,” Moscovic said for the season. “They are eager to work hard and compete.”