NEWPORT NEWS, VA. - Bruce Shumaker, long-time high school wrestling coach across the Peninsula, was named today as the Head Wrestling Coach at The Apprentice School by Director of Athletics Bill Casto.  Shumaker comes to the Builders after serving as the coach at Lafayette High School since 1998.

        "I'm excited to have Bruce join our coaching staff," said Casto.  "His experience and history of success makes him a great addition to our program.  Bruce's credibility in high school wrestling across this state will greatly enhance our recruiting efforts."

        Shumaker graduated from Edinboro University where he was a walk-on with the wrestling program who progressed to earning a partial scholarship by the end of his first season.  He won over 70% of his collegiate bouts in his four-years and participated in two Olympic Trials.

        His first area stop was at Denbigh High School from 1974-80 before heading to Lexington, VA for a season as an Assistant Coach at Virginia Military Institute and six years at Natural Bridge High School.  At Natural Bridge, he coached 10 individual state champions and 12 place-winners from 1981-87.

        He returned to the Peninsula in 1989 to coach at Mathews High School where his teams compiled a 118-48 dual match record.  His Blue Devil teams won five regional and two state titles, while placing in the top three four times.  At Mathews he won his first of two Virginia State Wrestling Coach of the Year honors.

        Since 1998 he has been the coach at Lafayette High School in Williamsburg.  In that time his teams have been 184-41 in dual meets and have won three Bay Rivers District Dual Meet titles. The Rams have won three Region I titles and have been runner-ups five times.  In the Virginia Group AA Tournament the Rams have been in the top 10 seven times in nine years including two fourth-place finishes.

        Former Daily Press wrestling reporter, now Director of Media Relations for the National Wrestling Coaches Association, Jason Bryant, had nothing but praises for Shumaker and his return to collegiate coaching.  "Having grown up in Hampton Roads and knowing Bruce Shumaker on both a personal and professional level, I think the Apprentice School is making a sound choice," said Bryant who is also the lead wrestling writer and webmaster for Intermatwrestle.com.  "Bruce is loyal to the area, a solid technical coach, holds a great knowledge of the sport of wrestling and is one of the most respected coaches in the state and country."

  Shumaker looks to hit the ground running with the Builders.  "I feel very fortunate to be the new coach of the Apprentice School.  This is a serious wrestling program and there will be a new challenge every week," he said.  "Our first priority will be to continue the success of the Builder's wrestling and then to make a connection with some of the local talent."