UHRICHSVILLE, Ohio (JMN Sports) – Travis Poland has resigned as Claymont High School’s wrestling coach after four seasons, according to a Wednesday press release from the school.
“When I took on the program after [former wrestling coach Eric Toukonen], it was my hope to carry on our strong legacy and tradition of being a powerhouse,” Poland stated in the press release. “Claymont is home to me, and Claymont Wrestling is very special to me like many others.”
Poland, who will remain as a social studies teacher within the Claymont City School District, cited spending more time with his family as a reason for his resignation from the program.
“At this point, I have a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. I just feel I need to spend more time with my children and I cannot dedicate the time to the program that it needs in order to be successful and be there for my family as well. It has been an honor, a blessing, and a dream come true to be the head coach over these past four years at Claymont.”
Claymont athletic director Justin Jones added that Poland “has been a part of the wrestling program for over 30 years in some role. I am forever grateful for his leadership and guidance of the young men in our program. His devotion to being a positive role model for our young men, and emphasis on developing the whole student, will not be lost but carried on in other coaches and our young men. I know he plans to spend more time with his family, but I also know he will still be there to lend a hand when asked of him by any student or coach in our system.”
“Travis Poland not only coached our young men in wrestling, but he also coached them in life,” said Claymont City Schools Superintendent Brian Rentsch. “He was able to educate them on the sport of wrestling but he also pushed our district’s beliefs as well, and it came [naturally] to him because it is who he is as a coach and an educator. Coach Poland believed our students came first, and he taught them to have pride in themselves and our community not only in the classroom but through the sport of wrestling as well. I know that he will be missed in the wrestling room and amongst his peers as well.”