SNAKE PIT U.S.A. COACHES ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCEMENT: We are very excited to announce and welcome our most recent addition to the Snake Pit U.S.A. Coaches Association/Board of Directors:

COACH DERRICK WALDROUP

The 1996 Olympic Wrestler and Four-time National Greco Roman Champion!

Coach Waldroup was a three-sport athlete who left behind a solid, but not quite spectacular, list of credentials when he graduated from the Midlothian school in 1980.

Although the Illinois native was a better-than-average wrestler, football player and shot putter and discus thrower for his High School track and field team, he never was crowned a state champion in any of the three sports.

Derrick went 30-0 during the regular season in wrestling as a senior, only to lose in sectionals. He then enrolled at Eastern Illinois University. Away from home for the first time in his life, he had a hard time adjusting to college life and transferred out after a short period. He then enrolled at Triton Junior College, and that’s where his fortunes began to turn.

Determined to get the most out of his wrestling abilities and armed with a newfound fire and encouragement from former Triton coach Art Craft, Waldroup dominated the junior college circuit, eventually winning the 1985 National Junior College Athletic Association championship at 190 pounds.

After Triton, Waldroup joined the U.S. Army and continued to dominate over time, twice being named Army Athlete of the Year, winning a silver medal at the 1991 Pan American Games and being crowned a World Military Games champion.

After a few unsuccessful attempts at making the U.S. Olympic wrestling squads in 1988 and ’92, Coach Waldroup, then a 33-year-old staff sergeant, finally made the cut for the 1996 Games in Atlanta. Derrick went on to win four matches in Atlanta at 198 pounds, finishing seventh overall. Coach Waldroup is a an absolutely amazing coach and an even better mentor and leader whom we are very proud to have as a member of the Snake Pit U.S.A. Coaches Association.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS/INTERNATIONAL:

Eighth in 1995 Concord Cup

Fourth in 1995 Granma Cup (Cuba)

Fourth in 1994 World Cup

Third in 1994 Spring Cup (Israel)

Fifth in 1994 Petrov Cup (Bulgaria)

Fourth in 1993 Concord Cup

Third in 1992 Andre Guerin Tournament (France)

Third in 1991 World Cup

Third in 1991 Trophe Milone Tournament (Italy)

Second in 1990-91 World Military Games

1988 World Military Games champion

1987 U.S. World Cup team member

1986-87 U.S. World team member

Second in 1987 Pan American Games

Second in 1987 & 1990 Concord Cup

1986 & 1989 Concord Cup champion

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS U.S.:

Third in 1989 and 1996 U.S. Nationals

Third in 1995 World Team Trials

Second in 1995 U.S. Nationals

1994 Winter Classic champion

Second in 1990-91 & 1993-94 World Team Trials

Four-time U.S. Nationals champion (1986-87, 90, 94)

Second in 1991 and 1993 U.S. Nationals

Seventh in 1992 U.S. Nationals

Second in 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival

Sixth in 1988 Olympic Team Trials

Fourth in 1988 Final Olympic Qualifier

1987 U.S. Olympic Festival champion

Owns 15 Armed Forces titles, eight in Greco-Roman (1986-88 & 1990-95) and six in freestyle (1987 & 1990-94)

SNAKE PIT U.S.A. CATCH WRESTLING