Hamden Hall Wrestling Club (HHWC)

Kiernan Griffin, Class of 2000, returned "home" to Hamden Hall in 2021 to lead both the Wrestling and Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse teams. He now adds the newly established Hamden Hall Wrestling Club to his roster.
 
“I am ecstatic to give these student-athletes unforgettable athletic experiences,” said Kiernan. “Coaching brings such wonderful rewards, and I always knew it would be part of my lifelong journey. I look forward to continuing and building on the success of both programs and our new Wrestling Club.”
 
During his student-athlete career, Kiernan earned a total of 13 varsity letters in football, wrestling, and lacrosse and was named team captain five times. Additionally, he was the recipient of the Athlete of the Year Award and History Award in 2000. He was also a four-time WNEISWA medalist, four-time NEISWA qualifier, and two-time National Prep qualifier.
 
Kiernan continued his athletic success at Trinity College in Hartford having earned varsity letters in wrestling and lacrosse. Kiernan moved on to study Fine Art Photography at the California College of Art in Oakland, Calif.
 
Professionally, he built a contracting and property management company that would be rebooted when he moved back to Connecticut in 2010. Upon his return, he took the assistant lacrosse coaching position at Hamden Hall before joining the Foote School as Head Coach and program director of Eli Youth Lacrosse of New Haven.
 
Kiernan credits Hamden Hall for his love of coaching and sports as a whole.
 
“My experience was full of laughter and learning from lifelong friends. Most importantly, being challenged, loved, and supported by outstanding teachers and coaches,” noted Kiernan.
 
He is married to Lauren Griffin, who coaches Hamden Hall's Girls' Varsity Field Hockey team and the Middle School Girls' Lacrosse team.

Skyler Ocetnik is a two-time semi-final ranked Cross Fit athlete and nationally ranked body builder. He was also ranked fittest in Connecticut for Cross Fit. In addition, he and his family have been heavily involved in the wrestling world including when Skyler lettered in the sport during his high school years and served as captain for two years.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise and sport science from Coastal Carolina University, Skyler is excited to share his knowledge of the sport and physicality prowess with the Hamden Hall Wrestling Club.

Skyer is also certified in AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support and has a BLS / Certification with NASM as a group fitness instructor. He has been published in the Journal of Sports Medicine on physical fitness, strength and body.

In college, Skyler coached all ages in gym-related endeavors including group instruction and individual fitness work. His occupation is in medical device sales for Medtronics. He works with operating room surgeons to equip them with neuro-spinal devices.