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Francis Clayton returns to LU wrestling program as coach

THUNDER BAY -- After a 10-year absence, Francis Clayton is back at the helm of Lakehead University’s wrestling program.
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Francis Clayton, who coach Lakehead's wrestling team from 1985 to 2005 before a neck injury forced him to resign, is once again taking over the Thunderwolves reins. He served as an interim coach last season, while still a member of the Lakehead Wrestling Club's coaching staff. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- After a 10-year absence, Francis Clayton is back at the helm of Lakehead University’s wrestling program.

Francis, who coached the team for 20 years before health issues forced him to the sideline, spent last season as the Thunderwolves interim coach.

On Tuesday the school removed the interim label.

With the program struggling, it’s good to be back, he said.

His goal is to bring that elusive Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship back to Thunder Bay. It’s going to take time, he acknowledged, but it can be done.

He’s worried if things don’t turn around, the program might be ditched by the university. That’s something he’s not willing to let happen on his watch.

“A lot of it is to preserve the past and keep things going. It’s a good sport. It’s a part of Lakehead and it has been for a long time,” Clayton said.

“I think I can still contribute. I don’t think I’ve reached my best before date. I think I have a few more years left and I’m looking forward to that.”

It all starts with work ethic.

“That was always the thing I used to use before. I was just going to outwork the other coach and our athletes are going to outwork the other athletes. Fitness is a huge part of it and that’s in any sport. I think you have to be fit and bring that into the practice room.

“That’s the starting point. And recruiting – you’ve got to bring in the right people,” Clayton said.

Clayton first joined the wrestling team’s coaching staff in 1985, after a successful career as a student athlete.

Over the years 17 of his protégés have competed internationally, from the Pan Am Games to the world championships.
He’s a five-time OUA coach-of-the-year, an award he twice won at the CIS level.

Current Thunderwolves wrestler Chris Waltner, who trained under Clayton last season, was fully supportive of the move, saying the coach’s style is a great fit with the program.

“He approaches situations and stuff a little bit different than other coaches I’ve had,” Waltner said. “And I really like the way he works through things. He’s very knowledgeable. He’s been doing this for a very long time and he really knows how to build a team.”

Emma Horner won CIS silver under Clayton and said he played a huge role in making it happen.

Hiring him full-time was the right move.

“I just found out this morning and I was so happy. I think it’s an excellent decision,” Horner said.

LU athletic director Tom Warden said they launched an international search for a new coach last year after parting ways with Clayton’s predecessor Brock Curtis.

In the end the answer was right in front of them.

Seeing Clayton, who was coaching at the Lakehead Wrestling Club prior to his return to the university ranks, coaching alongside Dustin Helwig last season was enough for Warden to bring Clayton back into the fold.

“Francis’ passions and his love for the sport of wrestling, and his obvious expertise was a factor in him getting the job. Ironically, the time that it took was beneficial to Francis. It gave him the opportunity to realize he wanted to do it again and for us to realize that we’d like Francis back.”


 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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