As part of an outreach program providing service and leadership opportunities, St. Margaret’s wrestling team members shared their wrestling expertise with local Middle School students through the San Juan Capistrano Boys & Girls Club. In February, led by Head Varsity Wrestling Coach Jason Leneau, 10 Upper School wrestling team members volunteered to instruct local boys and girls on the Marco Forster Middle School wrestling team.

The outreach sports program, ongoing throughout February, began when community member Ken Friess and Coach Leneau collaborated to help “kids helping kids.” Coach Leneau and the St. Margaret’s wrestlers made trips on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to help instruct the younger wrestlers in technique and strategy.

The positive impact that the St. Margaret’s students had on the younger wrestlers was significant. Mr. Friess shared, “I was absolutely overwhelmed by what a positive impact Coach Leneau and the St. Margaret’s wrestlers had on our team. I have no doubt that some of our wrestlers will get a tournament medal who would not have earned one if your team were not helping them.” St. Margaret’s students valued the time they were able to spend sharing their skills and serving the community. Justin Ren, grade 9, said, “It was really fun to work with the kids. We taught them a lot, focusing on the basic. You could tell they were really enjoying themselves.”

Coach Leneau, who has wrestled for over 20 years and has coached JV and varsity wrestling at St. Margaret’s for five years, says that he hoped this opportunity to work with Middle School wrestlers outside of St. Margaret’s would help build interest in wrestling. “It empowers Middle School wrestlers to become better wrestlers, leaders or even teachers,” Leneau said.

Members of the St. Margaret’s wrestling team who have been helping the Middle School wrestlers off-campus include: Charles Cox, grade 11; Mitchell Donahue, grade 9; Jacob Garrett, grade 10; Nathan Goodman, grade 9; Spencer Keane, grade 12; John Murayama, grade 12; Stephanie Ornelas, grade 11; Justin Ren, grade 9; Joey Sego, grade 11; David Sparks, grade 9; Nicholas Toubia, grade 10; and David Walters, grade 9.

The student’s total volunteer hours were clocked at 150!