The wrestlers of Blair Academy aren't just pinning their opponents to win matches. They're also using their muscle and talent to turn the team in to a money-making machine for charities. Community service is an integral part of Blair Academy's wrestling program and below are two activities they have completed in the past.

MS Bike Tour a Big Success
The Blair wrestling team and seven other members of the Blair community participated in the MS Bike Tour held in New York City. Over 5,000 people participated in the bike tour around Manhattan and the Blair effort netted over $3,000 for the fight against MS.

Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable experience, even freshman Kyle Turner who had a minor wreck and finished his loop around the island in a bus. Alex Berardi ('04) earned the respect of all with an amazing top 10 finish among the 30-milers. Ed Gibbons managed to cross the finish line despite riding for the final six miles on a bicycle with a broken frame. Brandon Palmer, a postgraduate from North Carolina, led a group of shirtless teammates across the finish line wearing only a freestyle singlet (yes, it WAS cold). Kelsey Strub ('03), Kira Randolph ('03), Joanna Weber ('03), and Mrs. Fleckman were the only female Buccaneers to make the trip. Joanna and Kira enjoyed a complimentary massage at the end of their journey to help them unwind. Coach Buxton learned some of the finer points of the parking rules in lower Manhattan from one of NY's finest in blue. And of course, shortly following the race, Coach Burroughs took a well deserved nap.

Special thanks to Mr. Connors and Mr. Lunger who made the trek into Manhattan at 4:30 in the morning and provided invaluable mechanical troubleshooting expertise. Thanks also to Ms. Holly Newcomb, Mr. Browse, Ms. Gorski, Mr. Wright and to all who lent bicycles or equipment to the cause. Several people in the Blair community including two on the wrestling team have family members who have been affected directly by MS.

Blair Wrestling Scores Against Juvenile Diabetes and Pins Down Hunger
In addition to winning their 27th consecutive title at the 2007 National Prep High School Wrestling Championship held at Lehigh University, the Blair Academy team received more than $13,000 in pledges. Once collected, the money will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. "The kids love wrestling and they might look tough on the mat, but deep down inside they always want to do something good," said Paul Clavel, an assistant coach. For the championship tournament, wrestlers asked faculty, students, local businesses, family and friends to pledge money which they would donate every time a Blair wrestler pinned an opponent. Each pledge was multiplied by the total number of pins that the team receives during the tournament. In previous years, the wrestling team collected for the Community Food Pantry, a local organization that is composed of four local churches. The Community Food Pantry operates year-round and serves the needs of the residents of Blairstown and surrounding areas.