Competitive Edge aTHLETICS
About us
Welcome to Competitive Edge Athletics. Our goal is to help develop young athletes, both as good humans and competitors, while advancing the sport of wrestling in Kanawha Valley of West Virginia. We provide competitive year-round training for wrestlers from a D1 All American Head Coach, Mark Samples, and many other qualified coaches.
During the off season all wrestlers from any club, ages 6-18, are welcome to participate, learn and improve. Our regular season will start in October and our roster will have limited athlete capacity in order to keep our coach/wrestler ratio appropriate. Competitive Edge is a competitive, travel team focusing primarily in West Virginia but also incorporating some southern Ohio and Western PA tournaments.
Competitive Edge was founded by Mark and Adrienne Samples. While currently in the depths of raising and coaching their two young sons, whom participate in multiple sports, the need for a practice facilities became imperative, thus Competitive Edge was reborn.
From what was once solely a wrestling club where Mark coached and trained young wrestlers, Competitive Edge has grown into a full, competitive wrestling club and training facility open to any mat sport requiring a place to practice or play.
Competitive Edge Athletics is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Members of USA Wrestling.
OFF SEASON PRACTICE SCHEDULE
- April 1 - October 1 2025
- (IN SEASON Schedule will post closer to October)
- MONDAYS 6:15 -8pm * Freestyle/ Folkstyle * Coach Mike Kearns TUESDAYS 6-8pm * Folkstyle * Coach Mark Samples & Coach Josh Bryan Wednesdays 6:15-8pm * Freestyle/ Folkstyle * Coach Mike Kearns
- Ages 6 -18 years, USA Wrestling Membership ($25/year), Waiver &
- $50 Monthly Membership Required
- Practice Location: 4530 Kanawha Turnpike Access, South Charleston, WV 25309
Mark Samples - Coaching
"Samples is regarded as one of the finest wrestlers in Edinboro history while competing for the Fighting Scots.." - Edinboro University
Born and raised in Charleston, Samples is one of only 7 native West Virginians to earn NCAA Division I All-American honors.
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Mark Samples
*NCAA Division I All American at 165 lbs. for Edinboro University
1 of ONLY 7 native West Virginians in history to earn NCAA Division I All American status.
*3x NCAA Division I Tournament Qualifier
*Edinboro Wrestling Team Captain
*2x Eastern Wrestling League Tournament Champion
*Voted Eastern Wrestling League Tournament Outstanding Wrestler his Senior Season
*3x Midlands Tournament Placer & Finalist
*NHSCA Tournament Finalist and All American
*Voted WV AAA State Tournament Outstanding Wrestler
*Dutton Award Winner voted on by all WV Sportswriters
*WV State Champion and 3x AAA WV State Finalist for George Washington HS
*4x WSAZ Tournament Champion
*Elected into Edinboro University Athletic Hall of Fame
38
Years wrestling
15
Coaching experience
Di ALL AMERicAN
Mark participated in coaching George Washington High School wrestling and Competitive Edge Wrestling Club for 7 years. In that time, GWHS produced 4 State Champions with 6 titles that all proceeded to wrestle at Division I schools. He also coached numerous champions and state placers from all over the area. Mark was the last state champion from GWHS in 18 years until Jake Smith, whom he coached.
State Champions include:
Jake Smith (2x Champion & 1x Finalist) - West Virginia University
Hunter Jones (Champion & 2x Finalist) - West Virginia University
David Smith (2x Champion) - West Virginia University
Jensen Lorea Edinboro University