What happens when a world-class wrestler meets a group of scrappy Martin County athletes in the heart of Appalachia? For James Gruenwald, the answer is resilience, revelation and—yes—elk.
BY JASON JEWELL
FOR MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — James Gruenwald has wrestled in 23 countries, stood on Olympic mats twice, and coached at the collegiate level for years. But last weekend it was the hills of eastern Kentucky that humbled him.
The Wheaton College wrestling coach, two-time Olympian and two-time national titleholder drove nearly eight hours to Martin County for a two-day visit. He addressed local students, led an intense wrestling clinic and experienced an unexpected tour of Appalachian life.
“This is what a holler is,” he remarked as he wound through the Warfield area where the scars from recent severe flooding remain. It was a moment of perspective, even for a man who has seen the world through sport.
Gruenwald’s mission began Friday at Martin County High School. Dr. Michelle Harless, principal, invited him to speak to students about overcoming adversity, setting goals and building resilience—lessons drawn from his own path out of a broken family to a decorated athletic career.
“I am nothing special,” he would say, “but that doesn’t mean I cannot do special things.”
The next day, it was sweat and strategy as wrestling coaches invited Gruenwald to instruct a clinic. Athletes from Martin County, Pike County and Boyd County gathered for four intense hours of technique and mental building.
Gruenwald’s connection with Martin County’s mat-men began last year at FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) camp. The wrestlers had raised their own camp funds by doing manual labor for county residents—a work ethic that left an impression.
For Gruenwald, Saturday was more than just physical training.
“I hope my story of rising above a broken family and past to having a successful athletic career can help and motivate a high schooler to reset their life and choose better,” he said.
“Building into young people, helping them see past their past and pointing them to a better future while using wrestling as a platform to share Christ has been rewarding. Every opportunity is awesome. If others had not taken the time to point me in the right direction, I would not be the man, husband, father and coach I am today.”
Between matches and mentoring, Gruenwald found time for a bit of eastern Kentucky flavor. Dinner at Cloud 9, views of roaming elk and horses and a deeper look at a region rich in hardship and resilience left Gruenwald—no stranger to global experiences—visibly moved.
Throughout the weekend his core message remained constant: JCIL. Jesus Christ is Life.
That message found a welcome home amid flood-soaked valleys and fierce young wrestlers in Martin County.
(Roger Smith contributed to this article.)
