BEALLSVILLE — Duke University’s Jacob Kasper has never wrestled a match in Beallsville. In fact, Kasper has never wrestled a match in the Ohio Valley. However, while training in Colorado Springs for a shot at competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics as a member of Team USA, Kasper received a lot of support from the tiny Monroe County community.

Although Kasper, whose mother is a Beallsville graduate and his father a St. Clairsville alum, came up short of his dream, he never forgot about the support he received. So much so, he’s decided to give back to the community.

On Saturday, Kasper, who earned All-American status with a fourth-place finish at the recent NCAA Division I championships in Pittsburgh in the heavyweight division, and a handful of his Duke Blue Devil teammates will hold a wrestling clinic. There will be two sessions: 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. The cost is $30 per participant and lunch will be provided.

“Beallsville wrestling backed Jacob when he was at the Olympic Trials and he never forgot that,” Beallsville wrestling coach Ernie VanDyne, who is Kasper’s great-uncle, said. “He asked what he could do to help us and he came up with this clinic. I told him we’d love to have him.”

Kasper, who graduated from Lexington High School in Ohio, was a three-time NCAA qualifier and a two-time All-American while at Duke. He is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Duke history, holding the single-season wins record. He graduated in 2018 and served as an assistant coach last season.

Joining him will be the Finesilver brothers — Mitch, Zach, Josh and Matt — along with Duke’s Kaden Russell and Kasper’s younger brother, Drew, who was an NCAA Division III All-American at 285 pounds for Otterbein University. Russell claimed an Ohio state title while at Cleveland St. Ignatius. Mitch Finesilver placed fourth at 149 pounds at the nationals this year.

VanDyne said he has been overwhelmed with interest in the event.

“I’ve received a ton of phone calls. I have 30 confirmed reservations so far,” he noted. “It’s going to be bigger than I originally had planned, or even thought.”

The clinic was originally scheduled to be the first event in the newly christened Gary Davis Wrestling Room, but due to the increased interest, VanDyne said it will probably be moved to the high school gymnasium.

For more information, contact VanDyne at (740) 213-1920.