The Maryland State Wrestling Association, State Chapter of USA Wrestling, hosted its first annual "Maryland Wrestling Day" over the weekend at Oregon Ridge Park in Hunt Valley, Maryland.  The purpose of Maryland Wrestling Day is to strengthen the amateur wrestling community in the state by bringing together coaches, officials, wrestlers (past and present), administrators and fans to enrich all state programs in wrestling and celebrate the history of Maryland wrestling.      The event replaced the annual MSWA Bullroast, which had been held for 14 years at Michael's Eight Avenue in Glen Burnie.  The reason for the creation of Maryland Wrestling Day is to hosts an event that would permit wrestlers and fans of all ages to attend.  The event was well attended with over 300 wrestlers and fans in attendance throughout the day.    The day began with "Hall of Famer" Dick Slutzky, former Syracuse wrestler and coach at Aberdeen High School putting on a workshop for high school coaches on "How to build and sustain a High School Program".  Slutzky, a former NCAA runner-up, put together points that he used to build Aberdeen High School into a three-time state championship program.  His presentation was very well received as the standing room only crowd agreed that the workshop was awesome.    Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., a good friend of the MSWA, presented Chairman Haswell Franklin with a proclamation (attached) naming the day "Maryland Wrestling Day".  In addressing the attendees, Governor Ehrlich, told the student-athlete of the importance of success in the classroom.  He said that victories on the field and mats are great but if you did have the successes in the classroom it would be all for naught.  The Governor posed for photos with Chairman Franklin, President of the NWCA-Mike Moyer, Olympic Silver Medallist Lloyd Keaser and others.     This year's recipient of "The Johnny K. Eareckson Memorial Award was Maryland's own Olympic Silver Medallist, Lloyd Keaser.  The award is presented each year to the individual who has demonstrated those qualities of inspiration and distinguished service to the Maryland wrestling community as exemplified by Hall of Famer, Johnny Eareckson.  Ed Peery, another Hall of Famer, who coached Keaser at The U.S. Naval Academy, presented the award to Keaser.  Lloyd told those in attendance that of all the awards he has received this award hit him the hardest.  He said that all of his previous awards, including The Hall of Fame, he received from his work and victories on the mat.  But this is an honor by his friends and colleagues for services in the wrestling community.  During his speak, he told of how he broke down in a river of tears on the way to Oregon Ridge thinking of having this honor bestowed upon him.    There were wrestling clinics by Todd Beckerman, Tom Reese and Lloyd Keaser throughout the day.  Beckerman, a two-time All-American while at Nebraska and a four-time National Prep Champ while at DeMatha Catholic is now as Assistant Coach at Navy.  Tom Reese was an All-American while at The University of Maryland and a Maryland State Champ while at North Carroll High in Hampstead.      The Maryland Wrestling Day Committee of Dennis Shifflett, Bill Filbert, Debbie Franklin, Cornell Bass, Ron Garvin, Keith Watson and Haswell Franklin would like to thank all those who came out to Oregon Ridge to enjoy our day of food, fun, and festivities.  We would like to invite you back next year as Keith Watson has secured the commitment of the legendary Dan Gable as our guess clinician.