Marine Corps Athlete of the Year stands out in crowd
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 18, 2005) -- At first glance he might not seem like the most approachable man with his cauliflower ears, brutish build and aggressive nature on the wrestling mat, but Sgt. Jacob A. Clark has devoted a large amount of his free time to helping others.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/13F127BE920CF3888525709E0005DBCD?opendocument
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 2005101721359
Story by Lance Cpl. C. Warren Peace
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 18, 2005) -- At first glance he might not seem like the most approachable man with his cauliflower ears, brutish build and aggressive nature on the wrestling mat, but Sgt. Jacob A. Clark has devoted a large amount of his free time to helping others.
In the past year of Clark’s life he has accomplished more than has been asked of him by his command and his family. He was selected as the 2004 Marine Corps Athlete of the Year and created Team Okinawa, a local wrestling team open to anyone interested in competing.
Recently he returned from a trip around the world where he visited Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., and accepted his plaque for Marine Corps Athlete of the Year from the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee.
“I was overwhelmed by the whole experience,” said the 25-year-old South Saint Paul, Minn. native. “I got a chance to meet the commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and speak with famous former Marines like Walter Cronkite and Drew Carey.”
With all of Clark’s success, such as winning two gold medals in the 84-kilogram weight class in the Greco-Roman and Freestyle sessions at the Armed Forces Wrestling Championships April 8, he hasn’t lost his connection with fellow Marines or wrestlers.
In March he put together Team Okinawa, a wrestling club that gives wrestlers living on Okinawa an opportunity to reach their individual goals.
Steve T. Courtney, a member of Team Okinawa, was taken under Clark’s wing when they met at a local competition in April. The 16-year-old Stafford, Va. native’s goal was to compete in the U.S. Junior National Wrestling Championships. In late July, the Kubasaki High School junior completed his goal and was the first American not living in the United States to participate in the competition.
“He is awesome,” Courtney said of Clark. “He trains with me daily … usually on his own time.”
Clarks’ brother inspired him to join the Marine Corps.
“He served his country as a Marine and had the opportunity to wrestle, too,” Clark said. “That really caught my eye.”
Clark, a personal property interviewer with the Traffic Management Office on Camp Foster, said that he is a Marine first, but is proud to serve in a unit that encourages him to excel outside of his military occupational specialty.
“My command has been extremely supportive in allowing me to represent the Marine Corps and TMO in the sport of wrestling,” he said.