As Pendleton’s fighters continue to flourish on the mat, the accolades — and first-place trophies — continue to pile up at the team’s training grounds (33 Area Fitness Center).
“I’m ecstatic right now, I’m really proud,” Varsity coach Corey Bennin said after the day-long competition that saw eight Marines capture individual medals. “It was a good job on all (the Marines’) parts. ... This just shows the progress that we’ve made with this team.”
Anyone doubting the team’s mercurial rise to the top of the amateur ranks hasn’t been paying attention. The Varsity squad has not only won three straight Southern California State Pankration Championships and four straight National Pankration Championships, but has dominated the Armed Forces Pankration Championship the last few years.
The squad is using events — like the one it participated in on Saturday — to prepare for the upcoming armed forces event, which is scheduled May 16 at Camp Pendleton.
Bennin says his fighters, who spend more than 25 hours a week training for their competitions, and the program, are excelling because of increased support.
“We are starting to get more command support,” Bennin said. “We have 20 fighters on the team now and with support comes success.”
For the Marines on the team, it’s not only about competition, but honoring the Marine Corps and supporting fellow Marines.
“It means a lot to me to be on this team, representing the Marine Corps and showing the world what we’re all about,” said Kevin Bonovich, 1st Light Armor Reconnaissance.
“We have a lot of camaraderie on the team,” said William Weed, Marine Air Logistics Squadron 11. “When you
