Hanner Fieldhouse on the Georgia Southern Statesboro campus recently played host to a two-day wrestling training camp, which began Thursday, June 5, and introduced the next generation of amateur wrestlers in southeast Georgia to the mindset and skills needed to become champions, as the region works to build a wrestling powerhouse one step at a time.
Hosted by GA FCA Wrestling, Bulloch Elite Training Center (BETC), and Storm Wrestling, this training camp brought out southeast Georgia youth athletes ranging from ages 7 to 18 to experience next level training from some of the greatest minds in the sport.
These young athletes trained under the guidance of University of Minnesota two-time All-American Gerald Carr and his son, NJCAA national champion Bryce Carr.
This father-son duo created an innovative, next-level experience for the young grapplers from the moment each athlete touched the mat, applying the years of knowledge they have gained to develop these wrestlers.
The coaches conducted high-level technical training sessions each day, with the overall goal of elevating these athletes’ ability to compete against top-tier competition in any scenario.
These scenarios were tested at the end of each day when coaches allowed students to “go live,” meaning the amateurs could showcase their skills and everything learned at camp in one-on-one competition.
The sessions were amplified by Carr’s mentality of giving 100 percent in every practice, helping build mental toughness within each athlete as they grow into young adults and compete in this high-level sport.
"We're just trying to make everybody understand that this is a great sport to be a part of. It prepares you for life. That's what helped me tremendously. I got my education through it, and I'm able to travel across almost every state, wrestling and competing. So it's been a wonderful sport for me. It's treated me right, and I just want to share it with these kids,” said Gerald Carr.
More than a decade of coaching experience filled Hanner Fieldhouse during the camp, ranging from high school coaches representing Screven County to senior athletes representing Bulloch County schools.
Every coach helped train the athletes in attendance, building a sense of camaraderie among all the amateur wrestlers, coaches, and staff who made the camp a success.
The 2025 Southeast Georgia Camp of Champs elevated each athlete in attendance, bringing out the best to teach the next generation of southeast Georgia amateur wrestlers.
Bulloch Elite Training Center owner and director Andy Tomlin said he hopes to continue growing the annual camp, with the goal of turning southeast Georgia into the state’s next wrestling powerhouse.
