Greens Farms Academy westling coach Jack Conroy was in Denmark this weekend helping to coach the American delegation at a UWW tournament. (John Nash photo courtesy of GFA)
Greens Farms Academy head coach Jack Conroy got some international coaching experience this weekend in Denmark.
Conroy was part of the delegation of six American wrestlers at the Thor Masters wrestling tournament at the Nyk F Hallen Arena in Copenhagen, a United World Wrestling event.
“This is my first time representing the United States in international competition, so it means a lot to me, honestly,” Conroy said. “It’s cool to see your coaching career progress to a point where you’ve sort of been acknowledged and respected by your peers and the people around you.”
Former Greens Farms assistant coach Jake Fisher competed in the tournament at 82 kilograms (180.7 pounds) and finished eighth in Greco-Roman, which is wrestling with upper body moves only.
“Jake’s a special athlete who is frankly one of the top competitors in the last 20 years in his weight class,” Conroy said. “And one of the things that makes it especially impressive is that he’s 38 years old and he’s still competing.”
Conroy said Fisher has eye on the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in Paris.
“It’s the highest level you can wrestle,” Conroy explained. “He’s preparing for the 2024 Olympics now and I’ll be coaching him out there, but I’ll be coaching other Team USA wrestlers, as well. I’m super excited.”
Conroy is hoping the experience can be parlayed into future coaching opportunities with other Team USA squads.
“You hope it’s a foot in the door,” Conroy said. “Having that foot in the door is huge. Having that experience is half the battle and it’s good to know you have the experience to coach at that level.”
Conroy graduated from Greens Farms Academy, located in Westport, and wrestled collegiately at Bucknell. Since taking over the Dragons, his teams have done well. They won the Western New England Prep School championship, won the Fairfield Athletic Association title in 2022 and finished second in New England.
Material from a Greens Farms Academy news release included in this report
