This December, the boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams from Camp Hill High School will be traveling nearly 1,800 miles to Wyoming for a unique competitive experience, Penn Live Patriot-News reprots.
Thanks to extensive fundraising efforts, the teams have secured the funds needed to participate in two major wrestling tournaments — the Pat Weede Memorial Tournament in Gillette and the Sheridan Girls Wrestling Invitational in Sheridan.
The idea for the trip was sparked by Camp Hill head coach Chad Gallaher, who wanted to give his wrestlers a chance to experience competition beyond Pennsylvania.
“I have a friend that lived in Gillette. We have some really good donors to our program… We’ve been to Florida three times over the last six years. And I said, on a whim, let’s see what’s out in Wyoming,” Gallaher explained.
After reaching out to the tournament organizers, Gallaher found an enthusiastic response.
“They said, ‘We’re an invitational, but tell us about yourself,’” he said.
He described Camp Hill as “kind of average in Pennsylvania,” noting that while his team sees success at times, they also face tough competition. The goal of the trip, Gallaher explained, is to expose his athletes to new styles of wrestling and give them an opportunity to experience a different part of the country.
The move proved to be groundbreaking.
“The cool thing was the lady said we’ve never had a team from the East Coast ever come to this… They’re probably wondering how the heck I got there,” Gallaher added.
The Camp Hill boys will participate in the Pat Weede Memorial Tournament from December 19-22 in Gillette, Wyoming. Before the boys finish their tournament, the Camp Hill girls team will travel to Sheridan, Wyoming, to compete in the Sheridan Girls Wrestling Invitational on December 21.
Both tournaments will see the Camp Hill wrestlers facing off against opponents from Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska. This regional competition will expose Camp Hill athletes to a variety of wrestling styles and strategies they may not encounter in Pennsylvania.
A trip of this magnitude doesn’t come cheap. It required more than $50,000 to cover travel, lodging, and other expenses for both the boys’ and girls’ teams, as well as their coaches. However, the teams managed to meet their goal thanks to extensive community support.
The wrestlers and their supporters raised funds through a variety of initiatives, including:
- Selling mums
- Hosting car washes
- Holding pancake breakfasts
In addition, Camp Hill alumni and local donors contributed generously to the cause. This community-driven approach allowed the teams to fund the entire trip without relying on school district funds.
“The cool thing is, this is completely funded for the coaches and kids without spending a school district penny,” Gallaher said.
For many of the student-athletes, this trip is more than just an opportunity to compete. It’s also a chance to see a new part of the country and bond as a team. Competing against unfamiliar opponents from the Midwest and Western US will give them fresh perspectives on wrestling techniques and strategy.
For Coach Gallaher, the trip reflects a larger mission to broaden his athletes’ horizons.
“We’re just doing this so our kids can see another part of the country,” he said.
The wrestlers will return with not only a greater understanding of their sport but also memories of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
