Athletics

Valiant College Preparatory Warriors

Since 2018, the athletics program at Valiant College Preparatory has produced some of the top wrestlers in the country. This is not by accident. It is a product of hard work, dedication, and a vision to build an independent school that could compete beyond a state level … and produce students and athletes that compete at a national level and make world teams! Our approach to coaching elite wrestlers and strengthening the body is equal to our commitment to providing an environment to learn and strengthen the mind. Our students, parents, faculty, coaches and donors have a shared understanding of the value of these opportunities –– to compete at the highest level. And we all share the passion and purpose of our #valiantspirit and our mission: to provide an environment for academic and athletic achievement that meets or exceeds our commitment to every student. We invite you to connect with us and discover for yourself why Valiant College Preparatory continues to produce wrestling champions with hearts of warriors … and experience the difference of our athletics program.

Inspired Athletics

“In high school wrestling, people see Blair Academy, Wyoming Seminary, and Buchanan as the top wrestling programs. Yet, Valiant College Preparatory is beginning to crack radars in their early existence. Valiant, created in Phoenix, Arizona in 2018, is the next prep school with loads of talent. However, the bright vision came with tough challenges early.”

– Flowrestling – Jan 21, 2021 by Nick Zeller-Singh –

Eric Larkin ran in to many challenges on his way to founding Valiant College Preparatory and devloping one of the best wrestling programs in the country. Attempts at achieving his goals of creating a national prep. wrestling program through partnerships with an establish school did not materialize; he kept pushing.

As he worked toward making his vision a reality, Eric involved his friends and co-founders Mike Douglas and Eric Pawlak. Both Mike and Eric bring valuable knowledge and resources critical to the organization. As administrators, they led the school through the crucial accreditation processes and acquired the new school facility. Mike and Eric had the know how to create an exceptional wrestling program that could match the vision Eric had for Valiant College Preparatory.

If you want to build an elite wrestling program, you need a head coach that brings all the intangibles to the table, but also, something special. Angel Cejudo was the perfect choice.

“My vision was to break the mold of the traditional old school way of doing things. The ways of the room has to be 100 degrees, you have to be tough, you have to be conditioned, the toughest survive. I wanted to change that paradigm that has gone through centuries. I showed them there was a different way of getting to the next level, by systematically taking our time developing skills. Plus, my goal is to have these kids enjoy what they were doing.”

– Angel Cejudo –

As they say…the rest is history!

“Valiant Prep, one of the top high school wrestling programs in the country…”

– FloWrestling –

Break The Mold Coaching

Change The Game Leadership

Eric Larkin
Co-founder and Director of Operations
Eric Larkin is one of Valiant’s co-founders and serves as Director of Operations at Valiant College Preparatory (among many other things). Athletics and coaching have been his passion for 20+ years. Coming from a college wrestling career at Arizona State University that saw him go undefeated as a senior and win an NCAA National Championship and Hodge Trophy; he has witnessed the positive impact that athletic participation can have on the mental, physical, spiritual development, and maturation of students. He helps Valiant College Preparatory offer a collegiate-model athletic program aimed at developing student-athletes capable of competing and succeeding at the highest levels.

Warrior:

noun. a person that demonstrates great vigor and courage in the face of adversity.

Mike Douglas
Co-founder and Director of Athletics
Mike Douglas is one of Valiant’s co-founders and currently serves as Director of Athletics. Mike started his wrestling career with the Harvey Twisters in Chicago, Illinois. There he learned important lessons regarding work ethic, discipline, responsibility, and life skills that formed the foundation for youth and high school championships as well as a successful collegiate career at Arizona State University. As Mike continues to succeed in wrestling and life, his goal is to help others do the same. Between his time as owner at Thorobred Wrestling Club and Director of Athletics at Valiant College Preparatory, few do more to help produce elite wrestlers in AZ (and beyond) than Mike.

Warrior Wrestling

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