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Hanover man inducted to martial arts hall of fame


Former Hanover High School football star and wrestler Shannon Weaver was inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame last month as a distinguished combat instructor.

Weaver, who graduated from Hanover High in 1990, joined the Army in 1993 and left honorably in 2002. During that time, he trained in hand-to-hand and close quarters combat. He served in a variety of bodyguard and VIP roles, including working stadium security at NCAA football games, he said.

Before joining the Army, Weaver began training in different disciplines of martial arts with Mike Marchio in McSherrystown.

“Mr. Marchio was really big about, ‘You could be as strong as you want, you could lift as much weight as you want, but if you don’t have the technique down, it won’t do you any good.’" Weaver said. "He really worked with me on technique and it helped out greatly.”

Since leaving the Army, Weaver returned to Hanover and has competed in several disciplines of martial arts and won multiple competitions, including earning medals at the Keystone State Games, and he has used that platform to raise money for autism awareness. He has earned an eighth degree black belt in dragon fist kenpo, and a doctorate in martial arts education.

“I really appreciate my father always keeping me involved in athletics," Weaver said of his hall of fame induction. "I also had great coaches at Hanover in (wrestling coach) Terry Conover, (football coach) Jack Connor and also my linebackers coach, Don Coffman.”