HEAD COACH/OWNER JOEY GHIONE
Originally from the Jersey Shore, Joey grew up in one of the biggest wrestling hubs in the country. Joey started wrestling at Shore Thing Wrestling Club in Lakewood, New Jersey. Shore Thing is coached by Vinnie Santaniello, an NCAA finalist who trained over 30 college All-Americans and New Jersey state champions, including an Olympian in Frank Molinaro. Joey was also coached by legendary New Jersey coach Dan O'Cone at Brick Memorial High School, who is a two-time New Jersey Coach of the Year recipient.
As a youth athlete, Joey claimed three New Jersey state medals, including one gold. In High School, he earned two sixth place finishes at the state tournament, along with two region titles and three district titles. On a national level, Joey earned All-American honors at Super 32 with an eighth place finish.
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In college, Joey gained Division I experience at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, where he started in each of the years he was there. Prior to his senior year, Joey transferred to Elizabethtown College, where he gained All-American status after taking 4th place at the NCAA tournament.
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After his senior year, Joey joined the coaching staff at Elizabethtown College where he helped coach four athletes to All-Region status. After his time at Elizabethtown, he moved out to Reno after taking a job as a teacher. He joined the coaching staff at Silver State Wrestling Academy under founder, Josh Nolan.
COACH BEN WRIGHT
COACH ERNIE GARCIA
Coach Ernie is a Fernly, NV native and former collegiate coach and athlete at Buena Vista University (Iowa). . Before Joining SSWA, he was the head coach for Fernley High School. He is committed to making our youth and high school athletes excel on the local and national levels.
COACH TOM HAMAMJY
Coach Tom is a California (Bay Area) native who moved to Reno from Wisconsin. Prior to moving to Reno, Coach Tom was an assistant coach at Askren Wrestling Academy where he coached numerous Wisconsin state champs, pre-season national champs, freestyle state champs, and Fargo All-Americans. In his coaching career, he has helped 30 athletes reach the collegiate level.
Before moving to Wisconsin, Coach Tom wrestled at Menlo College. After his wrestling career, he helped coach Pioneer HS in San Jose, CA.
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