The Bulloch Academy wrestling program lives by the motto, “summer wrestling makes winter champions.”
    The Gators put their mantra to the test recently as the program took 10 middle school students to participate in the Southern Hospitality summer wrestling camp at Camden County High School in Kingsland, Georgia.
    The five-day camp features training sessions from coaches around the state of Georgia, along with live wrestling training. The Gators arrived at Camden County High School on Sunday and will stay until the end of camp, Thursday.
    BA wrestling coach Andy Tomlin said these camps are a great way to work with future starters in the Gators’ wrestling program.
    “We always take our young kids and kind of show them the ropes and show them how to go to camp,” Tomlin said. “We try to stay with them along the entire progression. The more time we spend with them, the better our program becomes.”
    Tomlin knows a thing or two about building a solid wrestling program. Since Tomlin’s arrival at Bulloch Academy in 2007, the Gators have slowly but surely built a dynasty in Class AAA GISA wrestling. Last year the team won the GISA AAA state Championship, the Gators' second in school history.
    Tomlin said he was proud of the 10 wrestlers, ranging from ages 10 to 13, who came to participate in summer camp.
    “The best kids are the kids who put in the most work,” said the four-time GISA AAA Region 3 Coach of the Year. “Those kids are your die-hards. Those are your state qualifiers.
    “Everyone wants to know what makes a great wrestling program, and it’s family. If family is there to truly support it, it’s tough to beat a program like that.”
    Tomlin said his wrestlers are working on the fundamentals of the sport during camp.
    “They have to get the basics. They need to know the basics from day one. you have to learn your stance, and arm bars and not just be one dimensional.”
    Assistant coach Ulmer said the camp has been a great experience so far. A three-time state qualifier in wrestling, Ulmer said he valued having his wrestlers learn so many different styles.
    “It’s been awesome. The best thing about camp is they’re bringing in all this past wrestlers and past state champs,” said Ulmer, who has been with the Gators for four seasons. “At camp, I like to the kids to learn from other coaches because they’re not going to get that technique from me.
    “It’s a great camp. Camden county has a great program and there’s so much technique in the gym right now. They couldn’t ask for more.”
    Tomlin plans to have additional camps in the summer for his varsity and middle school wrestlers, including a “father and son” camp.
    Tomlin said the rigorous schedule he has set for his team is what makes BA one of the best in the area.
    “There’s a lot of people that want to make excuses and complain and they won’t sacrifice one week out of their summer to get better. Summer wrestling makes winter champions. Everyone wants to be a champion in the winter,” Tomlin said.

    Horace Holloman may be reached at (912) 489-9408.