Coach Ben Clymer on Building the #1 Team in the Nation | Faith Christian Wrestling | ABR Ep. 358
In this powerhouse episode of Airey Bros Radio, we sit down with Coach Ben Clymer—2024 Bucks County Coach of the Year and the visionary behind Faith Christian Academy’s rise to the No. 1-ranked high school wrestling team in the nation. From launching the program on a hillside without mats to producing state champions and D1 commits, Coach Clymer shares his journey through faith, family, and building a dynasty.We dive deep into:
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📋 Show Notes + Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro, Jersey boys go live
1:55 – Why we do this: wrestling + cross country foundation
2:14 – Coach Clymer’s coaching accolades & background
7:02 – Origin story: growing up in PA wrestling
10:48 – The academic hiccup that lit the fire
13:02 – Family of 9, sibling dynamics in sport
17:03 – Early desire to coach and be a role model
20:00 – Leaving teaching to grow Faith Christian
24:32 – Starting Faith Christian’s wrestling program from scratch
29:48 – The first "bad news bears" season
32:38 – When the floodgates opened: The Kale Widman domino
36:01 – From public school roots to leading a private powerhouse
40:00 – Debate: one-class vs two-class state structure
43:06 – What makes Hershey State Championships so special
46:44 – Celebrating state champs: Arugas + Mr. Softee
50:06 – Inside Faith Christian Academy’s school and wrestling structure
54:50 – Competing with Bishop McCort & building culture
59:03 – Social media, NIL & being present
1:07:27 – Daily rituals: Proverbs & 8-before-8
1:08:09 – Final 4 Qs: Coffee, music, guilty pleasures
1:12:10 – Ice cream, M&Ms, and beach days in Ocean City
1:20:00 – Outro + Faith Christian banner for the ABR wall
📲 Socials (Add These in Description + IG Post):
📸 @faithchristianwrestling
📸 @benjimr
🎙 @aireybrosradio
📺 YouTube: Airey Bros Radio
- Pennsylvania vs. Jersey wrestling culture
- The public vs. private school debate in PA
- Launching a team from nothing to national power
- Coaching as ministry and mentorship
- The importance of family and brotherhood in wrestling
- Faith Christian’s culture, community, and continued dominance
🙏 Subscribe, rate, and share to help us grow grassroots wrestling content.
📋 Show Notes + Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro, Jersey boys go live
1:55 – Why we do this: wrestling + cross country foundation
2:14 – Coach Clymer’s coaching accolades & background
7:02 – Origin story: growing up in PA wrestling
10:48 – The academic hiccup that lit the fire
13:02 – Family of 9, sibling dynamics in sport
17:03 – Early desire to coach and be a role model
20:00 – Leaving teaching to grow Faith Christian
24:32 – Starting Faith Christian’s wrestling program from scratch
29:48 – The first "bad news bears" season
32:38 – When the floodgates opened: The Kale Widman domino
36:01 – From public school roots to leading a private powerhouse
40:00 – Debate: one-class vs two-class state structure
43:06 – What makes Hershey State Championships so special
46:44 – Celebrating state champs: Arugas + Mr. Softee
50:06 – Inside Faith Christian Academy’s school and wrestling structure
54:50 – Competing with Bishop McCort & building culture
59:03 – Social media, NIL & being present
1:07:27 – Daily rituals: Proverbs & 8-before-8
1:08:09 – Final 4 Qs: Coffee, music, guilty pleasures
1:12:10 – Ice cream, M&Ms, and beach days in Ocean City
1:20:00 – Outro + Faith Christian banner for the ABR wall
📲 Socials (Add These in Description + IG Post):
📸 @faithchristianwrestling
📸 @benjimr
🎙 @aireybrosradio
📺 YouTube: Airey Bros Radio
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