Paupack wrestling program features father and daughter coaching duo

Chris Carroll is a 1986 graduate of Honesdale High School who’s been a fixture on the local wrestling scene for more than three decades.

Elana Carroll is his daughter. She graduated from HHS in 2013 and has been on the cutting edge of the PA girls high school wrestling movement since its inception.

This year, for the very first time, they’re coaching side-by-side as members of a high energy Wallenpaupack Area staff.

“It’s really been a blessing to be here and to be working with her everyday,” Chris said. “I have a ton of experience at different schools through the years — but, this is different in the best possible way.”

Elana agrees wholeheartedly.

“It’s pretty amazing,” she said. “My first few seasons it was fun coaching against him, but now that we’re getting a chance to work together it’s just phenomenal. I love it.”

For the 2025-26 season, Chris is serving as a volunteer with Paupack’s junior high girls team. Elana is a varsity assistant to head coach Steve Peters, but also helps out with the younger girls as well.

“It’s cool to see these two team up,” Peters said. “For Chris, sharing his passion and knowledge has been refreshing and probably the experience of a lifetime. For Elana, I see the pride in her face and the growth in her coaching since Chris made the decision to join us.”

Dynamic coaching duo

Chris Carroll wrestled for Hall of Fame coach Rich “Chooch” Chulada during his varsity tenure at Honesdale.

He then embarked upon a wildly successful coaching career that has now spanned 35 years. He’s mentored boys and girls at every level of the sport, mostly at Honesdale and Western Wayne.

One of his biggest achievements to date was being named Class AA Coach of the Year while leading the Wildcats to a runner-up finish at the District 2 tournament in 2004.

“It’s a little bit surreal that I’ve been doing this so long,” Chris said. “But I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s truly been a joy to do what I do, and now getting to coach side-by-side with my daughter is just fantastic.”

Elana is an eighth grade math teacher at the Wallenpaupack Area Middle School. She began teaching and coaching in 2023 and has been a vocal proponent of girls scholastic wrestling for years.

“I’m a teacher first and foremost, so I just love working with kids and seeing them grow,” she said. “But coaching is also an incredibly rewarding experience. As soon as I was offered the opportunity, I jumped on it.”

Jack Hildebrand is the head coach of Paupack’s junior high girls team, which is off to a stellar start this winter. The young Buckhorns have already placed first and third at a pair of early season tournaments.

Lily Klosterman and Landry Abbott each won a gold medal at Honesdale on Dec. 13, while Jae Swanick and Klosterman led the way Dec. 20 at Hanover Area.

“It’s so exciting to watch these young girls translate what they learn in the practice room onto the mat,” Chris said. “I’m just very happy to be playing a small part in that.”

Elana concurs.

“All of our coaches have worked really hard during the off-season to get girls involved,” she said. “And, it’s so fulfilling to see the positive impact we can have on kids’ lives.”

On the varsity mat

Paupack has been at the forefront of the girls wrestling movement right from the start, joining more than 100 other schools that eventually convinced the PIAA to sanction the sport.

Last year, the varsity squad powered its way to an overall record of 10-1. The Buckhorns closed out the campaign with a runner-up finish at districts and a Top 20 showing at regionals.

Paupack is off to another scintillating start this season. The Buckhorns are currently 2-0 in dual meet action, having posted impressive wins over Valley View (66-6) and Crestwood (54-28).

In addition, Paupack has also turned in solid efforts at two invitationals. The Buckhorns placed 10th at Honesdale’s “Queen of the Hive” tournament and 13th at Hanover Area’s “Holiday Classic” event.

Juniors Rosa SanClementi and Alayna Atos are leading the way. The former wrestles at 112 and boasts an 11-3 record, while the latter is 11-4 at 130 and 136.

Also making key contributions to the cause is junior Mya Statile who is 9-4 competing in the 170-pound weight class.