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By Wayne Catan
November 2004

Paul Clavel Comes Home to Blair from Perennial Rival Great Bridge

Thirty-four-year-old Paul Clavel (Blair class of 1988) has rejoined the prestigious and #1 ranked Blair wrestling team as top assistant coach after spending more than 14 years in Virginia, nine of which were spent at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Virginia – a Blair rival for more than 10 years. Coach Clavel brings a wealth of knowledge back to Blairstown, New Jersey, which is also his hometown.

After graduating from Old Dominion University (Virginia) in 1992 with a major in marketing and secondary education he held numerous positions inside the Great Bridge school system including the post of Athletic Director at Great Bridge Middle School in 2002 and top assistant for the Great Bridge wrestling squad. This impressive and protean coach helped Great Bridge to six top-five finishes (USA rankings).

Clavel is no stranger to winning and looks forward to working with Coach Buxton and the Blair athletes. “I am thrilled to be back inside the Blair room and to rejoin Coach Buxton. Further, I am excited about this season as we have some strong talent who will excel on the national level before heading off to major colleges,” Clavel said. “It’s been a pleasure reuniting with some of the teachers whom were here when I attended Blair (in the late 1980’s); and, it’s great meeting and working with the new and existing staff with whom I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing.”

Coach Clavel is married to Erika and they have one daughter, Avery, who is three-years-old. The couple resides in the senior dorm – Mason Hall – where Clavel is the Housemaster.

Coach Clavel will concentrate on light and middle weights as well as weight training and conditioning programs. Clavel wrestled for the ODU, where he took fourth place at the Eastern Nationals. At Blair, Clavel placed 3rd and 4th twice in the national prep tournament. His brother, Noel, also wrestled at Blair and was a national prep tournament runner-up. Noel went on to wrestle for Lehigh University.

“I like to be in the kids’ lives both on and off the mat,” Clavel continued. “It (coaching) is more fulfilling than I thought it would ever be. My wife and daughter are adjusting to the private school life – she’s excited to watch us this year. It’s been a great three months.”

In their spare time, Paul and his family enjoy going to the beach, hiking, camping and golfing; Paul likes to play golf as well. We welcome Paul Clavel to the Blair family.