Chooljian Earns National Acclaim in Wrestling

“For me, being Armenian has really made a big impact on who I am as a person,” Chooljian points out. “I have my dad to thank for all that. My athletes understand well that the team comes first, not the individual. You don’t cut corners. Hard, sustained effort without making excuses gives you the best chance to succeed. We challenge the athletes and teach them how to overcome adversity through intense work.”

This past season could very well have been his best. The Owls went 23-1, barely losing to Blair Academy, NJ — the number-one-ranked team in the country — in a Pennsylvania tournament. Prior to the title match, Chooljian’s chargers defeated four other Pennsylvania schools. Another invitational in New York produced two national champions.

“Being from a small community and having our success supported in such a positive way says a lot,” Chooljian brought out. “Coaching takes a tremendous amount of time and energy. I never want to feel the pain of regret for not doing everything I can for my athletes.”

In his case, success breeds success. Chooljian graduated from Timberlane in 1977 as a New Hampshire state champion. He attended the University of Rhode Island and helped the Division 1 Rams to the New England title as a scrappy 150-pounder.

“Competing at the NCAAs with my dad watching is still one of my most memorable experiences as an athlete,” Chooljian admits. “He’s always been there for me.”

After college, Chooljian returned home and fell into coaching when he visited a nephew’s practice at Timberlane and helped him train one day. The school invited him to return the following year and help coach. Three years
later (1987), Chooljian won his first state crown and it’s been a steady stream ever since.

“Two decades later, I still look forward to coaching every day,” he says. “I believe in helping young men with their growth and development. Wrestling provides me with a great avenue for that. It’s what still keeps me in coaching.”

With the thousands that have filtered through his program, many continue to reciprocate, whether through college or community endeavors. Several have come to assist or gone elsewhere to carve their own niche in the sport. Nearly all have become model citizens. Timberlane Principal Don Woodworth, a former coach, couldn’t compliment his mentor enough for the acclaim he’s brought to the school and district.

“Barry is a consummate professional and is on top of everything,” said Woodworth. “Soup to nuts, he’s 100 percent invested in each kid both on and off the mat. He’s organized a program that speaks for itself. He shows  kids where they are, what they can accomplish and how to get there. They come out of it as better human beings.”

Chooljian lives in nearby Hampstead with his wife Carrie. A daughter Lauren is a senior at St. Anselm’s College. Another daughter Cara is a freshman at East Carolina University. The sport never dilutes his family interests.

As to the future, Chooljian has no plans to retire, not as long as the spirit keeps prevailing. In his spare time, he enjoys a good workout and a round of golf.

“It only gets better with time,” he quips. “Every day represents a new challenge for me — and that’s the way I like it.”