James Wood’s Copp inducted into wrestling Hall of Fame

April 26, 2012

Star staff report

WINCHESTER — Former James Wood High School wrestling coach Jaye Copp was recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at a ceremony held by the Virginia State Chapter in Glen Allen Saturday evening.

Copp, who has been a teacher for 35 years in the Frederick County school system and still serves as the librarian at James Wood, coached wrestling for 27 years, 21 of them as the head coach.

“It’s a tremendous honor to even be nominated, but to be inducted just left me speechless,” said Copp in a phone interview. “It was very, very nice.”

Copp was nominated by former Fauquier High School wrestling coach John Peguse and learned that he would be inducted in January.

Copp wrestled for Colonel legend George “Willie” Walters in high school, then came back to coach with Walters before taking over for him after his sudden death in 1983.

Along with fellow James Wood assistant coach Gary Strosnider, Copp started the Winchester Wrestling Officials Association in 1979 and in 1984 Copp, Strosnider, Bill Walker and Ralph Orndoff started the Willie Walters Wrestling Club to honor Coach Walters.

During Copp’s 21 years at the helm James Wood had an impressive run on the mat, totaling over 300 wins and numerous district, regional and state champions.Former Colonel wrestlers Chris Bulley (2000) and Brian Scott (2003) each won state championships under Copp.

“To be a coach in Triple-A in Virginia and be as successful as he was shows his skills as a coach,” said former assistant and current James Wood head coach Greg Walker. “He put together some great teams over the years. To have over 300 wins, he was just an amazing coach.”

Copp credited his success to the expertise of his assistant coaches like Walker, Clint Jones, current Sherando wrestling coach Pepper Martin, Bob Kane, Jason Barbe, Terry Boyd and Doug Boswell, many of whom attended the induction ceremony on Saturday.

“He’s really been a mentor to me,” Martin said. “He gave me the opportunity to coach at the varsity level at James Wood and I consider him to be a great influence in my coaching career.

“He’s an ambassador for the sport and he’s very deserving [of being inducted]. He wasn’t just a great coach, but also a great motivator and a great person. A lot of his former wrestlers and coaches have gone on to have great success in life.”

Copp and Walters are honored every year at the annual Willie Walters/Jaye Copp Holiday Wrestling Tournament held by James Wood.