Ray Brinzer of Cranberry Twp., Pa. has been named 2006 Cadet Greco-Roman Coach of the Year, as presented by USA Wrestling's Greco-Roman National Team program.

He has coached with Team Pennsylvania at the Cadet and Junior Nationals for five years, working in all three styles (freestyle, Greco-Roman, women). His official title is assistant coach with Greco-Roman, and is an area of his expertise. Pennsylvania athletes have been very successful at the Cadet and Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman since he has joined the staff. In 2005, Pennsylvania placed fifth in the Cadet National team standings, with 10 All-Americans and a champion. He also serves on USA Wrestling's Coaches Council.

He has been a coach with the Angry Fish Wrestling Club for five years, a very successful program he created. Based in Western Pennsylvania, the club produces champion athletes in both Greco-Roman and freestyle. Numerous Angry Fish wrestlers now compete at major college programs. The athletes from his program participate in major USA Wrestling events at all levels, and are often successful in Greco-Roman. In addition, he has been a junior high coach at North Allegheny (where he attended high school) and also works with elementary age wrestlers.

Brinzer competed on the national level in both Greco-Roman and freestyle. He was a U.S. Nationals runner-up in Greco-Roman and qualified for the Greco-Roman Team USA. He was fourth at the 1999 U.S. Nationals in freestyle, as well, and won a number of international medals. He was a two-time All-American for the Univ. of Iowa, and also competed at Oklahoma State. A top age-group wrestling star, Brinzer was the 1990 ASICS High School Wrestler of the Year.