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“This year I was a New York state champ and I wrestled for Craig's Ascend Wrestling Club. The first time I heard of Craig was in the summer of 2008 was when I saw him on Flowrestling. They had Craig do the predictions for the 2008 Olympics since he was one of the few people who knew everyone from the other countries as he has been studying all the international wrestling styles. They called him the Wrestling Guru. One day I went to a wrestling club that I go to and Craig was there working out with the kids so I started wrestling with him. It was funny because after 2 minutes of wrestling with him Craig already had me picked apart and knew all my flaws and everything I was good at. So, I wanted more. I started taking privates with Craig with my partner Chris Brienza. The first time Craig gave me a lesson we went over high crotches to a finish. Craig was showing all different ways of doing the high crotch. I noticed that it was exactly how John Smith did his high crotch because I watch many of John's matches that Craig has posted on YouTube..." Read more.
“Craig Vitagliano and I first crossed paths in the summer of 2007. We both were working out at the New York Athletic Club. Me as an aspiring Division III national champion and he as coach looking to help whoever he could.
Every time Craig and I were together at the club I learned something from him. He is technically sound on the mat in all position and is able and willing to teach it to others. From his days as a college wrestler he learned, both physically and mentally, what it takes to be successful at that level and beyond.
The only regret that I have of our interactions is that I was not introduced to him earlier in my career. Still in the summer we trained together I learned enough from him to get me over the hump. I accomplished my goal in the sport and he is a key reason why.”
“Craig Vitagliano is one of the best clinicians I have ever seen. No matter what level wrestler you are, there are many little things that people do wrong, and these are the types of things that Craig catches that other coaches do not.
As a coach, Craig is willing to accommodate everyone for their individual needs. There were times when I needed a quick work-out or tune-up for a tournament, and Craig was the one I could call in a pinch.”
"I haven't met another person who shares as much passion for wrestling as Coach Vitagliano. He is the epitome of being a student of the sport and is consistently improving as a coach and a wrestler. He has an uncanny ability to break down the sport of wrestling for a variety of athletes at all skill levels. His emphasis on technique and video review is what separates him as a coach. He studies the top athletes across the world and is able to retain and teach what holds win at all levels to his athletes. Coach Vitagliano was crucial to my success as a collegiate athlete as well as my International successes."
"My name is Sahit Prizreni and I am a wrestler from Albania. I am a two time Olympian (2004 & 2008) and was third at the 2007 World Championships at 60 kg. I want to say a couple of things about one of my best friends, and also my best partner and coach together and he is Craig Vitagliano. I lived in New York for two and a half years from 2005 until 2007, and all that time I had been working out with him and believe me I consider myself lucky. The reason for that is that he was the guy who truly believed in me and he was the one who pushed me to move back to Albania and compete in the World Championships and Olympics and that’s what I did. I wrestled in the World Championships and took third and I went to the Olympics in Beijing.
Working out with Craig is so easy. I say that because when I first came to the New York Athletic Club he was the one who somehow understood me even though my English was so bad. What I’m saying is that he is so smart at understanding a wrestler in what they are trying to say or do in wrestling. He also has such an unbelievable memory -- all he needs in wrestling is just one look and he's able to take a mental picture and explain the way something works mentally and technically. Believe me, I have learned a lot from this guy, and a part of my medal belongs to him.
So if I could choose a partner or a coach now that I’m getting ready for the Worlds, I would choose Craig for both."
"Craig has been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals, throughout my HS wrestling career. He has worked relentlessly reviewing, critiquing, and correcting my technique. He breaks down your form to the basics and works step by step to develop and improve your personal style. He reviews your opponents and works with you to come up with a plan that will ensure victory. Craig has always been there for me at my most important matches, even if he is not allowed on the mat, he makes himself visible to coach you. After matches Craig reviews your tapes with you and points out what you did well and not so well. Craig is an excellent technician, coach and friend."
Craig has two things that separate him from other wrestling coaches: his in-depth knowledge of the sport and his natural ability to teach.
Craig is not only a wrestler, but a student of the sport. Always studying the best techniques from the best wrestlers, he has come to be known as the "Wrestling Guru" by the flowrestling community. This enables him to teach moves in accordance to the most minor (but extremely important) details.
As a Harvard graduate, Craig is intelligent and an unbelievably good teacher. Having not qualified for counties as a sophomore, my goal for my junior season was to simply qualify for the county tournament. I started training with Craig and made vast improvements. Unfortunately I faced an injury that took me out for most of the season. When I returned with less than a month left in the season, I knew if I wanted to qualify I had to train more with Craig. I did, and I ended up making it to the semifinals of the counties.
Craig trains all of his wrestlers on a personal level, and I can honestly say that I am closer to him than any other wrestling coach I have had. He is a great friend, a great coach, and a great mentor. If a wrestler wants to get to the next level, Ascend is the place to do it!
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