WWF is in need of mat side table workers for WWF Kids Folkstyle State Championships  March 5-7th, 2021 in Wisconsin Dells

We need 2 people per table, a computer operator to keep score and a camera operator. The pay is $125 per day for Friday and Saturday and $100 for Sunday. A group of people can switch off during the day. Also clubs can use this as a fund raiser.

Anyone interested please contact Jeff Jones at jeffjones99@att.net

The Wisconsin Wrestling Federation will be holding our Kids Folkstyle State Championships on March 5-7th, 2021 at the Woodside Sports Dome in Wisconsin Dells.

We will not be able to use the Alliant Center in Madison this year do to Covid restrictions. Hopefully we will be back in 2022.

Also we will not be holding the Qualifiers this year since most schools in the state where they are held are not allowing outside functions in their schools. So the state tournament will be an open tournament and will have to be planned around Covid restrictions to do it safely.

Further details and a flier are on the Kids Folkstyle State Championships Webpage

WWF is selling ads that will appear during TW Trackcast Video Streaming of the matches. Cost is $250 

Anyone interested please email, text or call Scott Kluever wwfstatecoach@yahoo.com or 920-639-9376 

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Wisconsin Wrestling League (WWL) for the 2020-21 youth wrestling season in Wisconsin. The WWL will be operating a Folkstyle season starting on November 30th with a culminating Championship Series that will begin on February 7th.

"The WWL was formed to provide wrestling practice and competition opportunities to youth wrestlers in the state with the mission of ensuring all wrestlers who want to practice and compete will have a safe and reliable opportunity to do so," said Justin Tritz, Founder of the WWL. "Kids need structure and stability around the activities they set goals for themselves in, and we intend to provide both to kids who want to wrestle."

The WWL will consist of 3 divisions: K-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, and 6th-8th grade. Each team in the league will be scheduled to compete in 3 regular season events along with the Championship Series in February. Events will be managed by participating clubs throughout the state with facilities large enough to host. Weight classes for regular season meets will be established the night before competition and scheduled to ensure completion within a 2-hour time block.

The WWL will be working in conjunction with the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation (WWF) and USA Wrestling. "The WWF is excited to partner with the Wisconsin Wrestling League to offer a quality wrestling opportunity," said Scott Kluever, State Coach Coordinator. "Justin Tritz changed the landscape of wrestling when he created Trackwrestling and we feel this league will change the landscape of wrestling in Wisconsin. At a time when wrestling is being challenged, the Wisconsin Wrestling League and the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation are thinking outside the box to create unique opportunities for our membership." "We realize that the wrestling community in Wisconsin looks to the WWF to lead and now more than ever, we will help provide the proper direction to our membership," added Dave Black, WWF State Chairman. "The WWL is an example of just that."

The WWL is open to all established clubs as well as any club looking to form and participate this season. Wrestlers who want to compete will just need to join one of the WWL clubs. "The model of the league offers athletes the opportunity to compete in a timely manner," added Kluever. "The league will schedule 2-hour blocks bringing the timeline closer to what parents are used to with their children competing in other sports."

There are several clubs throughout the state that have already joined the WWL including: Aviators, Beast Cage, Crass Trained, Freedom, LAW, Ringers, Rocket Wrestling Factory, RT Elite, Sarbacker, Victory, Wrightstown, and X-Factor Elite. "It's a lot of fun seeing the enthusiasm from people when they first hear about the Wisconsin Wrestling League and what we will be offering for wrestlers this year," added Tritz. "The clubs around the state have been a pleasure to work with and we are all looking forward to serving the Wisconsin wrestling community this year".

There will be an open zoom meeting on Wednesday evening (October 7th) that will be available to anyone who wants more information on the WWL. If you would like to join that meeting or have other questions on the league, please email justin@thebeastcage.com.

Please be sure to follow the "Wisconsin Wrestling League" on Facebook to stay up to date with developments and announcements throughout the season. You should also visit our website https://www.wisconsinwrestlingleague.com for more information on the league along with a full list of participating clubs.

We are excited about the opportunities we will be able to provide wrestlers in Wisconsin and look forward to seeing them on the mat!

During the time that wrestling is postponed we will look back at matches involving WWF members and poll you on what matches are the most exciting. We have several matches from all different events that will make your decision very difficult!

Poll #3 is up now. 2019 Freestyle State 14U Matches

Click Here to view

As a benefit to all current members, USA Wrestling has extended its free online Copper and Bronze Certification courses indefinitely. 

On March 21, USA Wrestling made these courses available for free through Sunday, April 5. Due to the overwhelming response from USA Wrestling members across the nation, and requests from USA Wrestling’s state leaders, USA Wrestling will continue providing this service to all members, as we all work together to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The numbers tell the story. Since March 21, there have been 3,367 USA Wrestling members who have checked out these coaches education course, including 2,085 starting the Bronze Course and 1,282 starting the Copper Course. In total, 1,681 courses have been completed by members, including 1,037 Bronze Courses and 644 Copper Courses.

The Top 10 states utilizing this opportunity (by completion) are: 1. Illinois - 123, 2. Minnesota - 108, 3. Wisconsin - 107, 4. Virginia - 105, 5. Indiana - 103, 6. California - 92, 7. Texas - 74, 8. Washington - 61, 9. Wyoming - 60, 10. Missouri – 59.

Please remember that all current members are now able to take this course, including Wrestling Leader members and Athlete members. These courses provide a great educational opportunity for athletes, who seek to improve their performance on the mat as well as understand more about wrestling coaching. 

In order to access the course, members simply need to log into their account at www.usawmembership.com and add the item to their cart. All courses are delivered immediately online once the member has completed the free purchase and are accessed through your MY COURSES tab. 

A tutorial video on how to add the Bronze and/or Copper Certification courses to your cart can be found below.
https://www.usawmembership.com/help/category/6/question/12
Members of USA Wrestling who have previously completed Bronze and/or Copper Certification courses are encouraged to repeat the course(s) for enrichment. All completions will be tracked in real time through USA Wrestling’s membership system. Course materials for Bronze and Copper Certifications were updated in March 2015 and November 2017, respectively.

As part of the National Coaches Education Program (NCEP), the Copper Certification course is designed for coaches whose athletes are 12 years of age and younger, normally costs $50, and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. The Bronze Certification course is designed for coaches whose athletes are 13 years of age and older, regularly costs $80, and takes approximately 6 hours to complete.

In addition to the Copper and Bronze Certification courses, USA Wrestling has the HEADS Up Concussion in Youth Sports available to anyone through its membership system. This course, which was developed by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), is aimed to keep children and teen athletes safe by helping coaches and parents recognize, respond to, and minimize the risk of concussion or other serious brain injury.

USA Wrestling truly appreciates all of its members, and thanks them for their involvement in the greatest sport on earth. 

WWF State Coach Scott Kluever started a new Podcast Series

Click Podcast in above Main Menu to see the links to all of them

Click on the links below to read about why wrestlers should wrestle Freestyle and Greco during the offseason

https://www.attackstylewrestling.com/wrestle-freestyle-greco-roman/

https://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/features/2017/september/14/benefits-of-the-olympic-styles-of-wrestling

https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2009/March/05/Why-wrestle-freestyle

https://www.usawks.com/lit/Fraser_1203.htm

http://www.coachmattlindland.com/news/why-greco-roman-and-why-you-should-care

https://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/coaches/core-curriculum

We all want to better understand the rules of Freestyle and Greco. I encourage you to go to Facebook and follow the United State Wrestling Officials Association! Each day they have a video and rule question of the day. Officials from throughout the world comment on these postings. It allows me to look at the situations differently after reading what others have commented on. Both the officials and coaches want correct calls but we as coaches need to continue to educate ourselves so we understand how the rules are to be applied. So please follow the USWOA so we can all work together to build wrestling!

Wrestling Wednesday

USA Wrestling Announces Age-Division Name Changes Effective Immediately

Wrestling Wednesday

USA Wrestling Tour of America Series

Fundamental Movement Skills: The "Basics" Win

Wrestling Wednesday!

Age Appropriate Practice, Match and Training Ratio
 

World Championships Previews from USA Wrestling
 Wrestling Wednesday
 

WWF Wrestling Wednesday

Age Appropriate Strength Training

WWF Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Wintergreen Resort 60 North Gasser Road, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin  53965.
Registration starts at 11:00am and the meeting starts at 12:30pm.
All USAW sanctioned clubs are invited.
If you have questions please contact Sandy Russell at srussell_wwf@yahoo.com or 262-968-9542

Wrestling Wednesday - Jr. Worlds: Kilty Silver | Howk 5th

U.S. women’s freestyle Junior World Team is loaded with talent and experience

BY Taylor Miller, USA Wrestling | September 12, 2018

Photo: Kilty (right) photo by Martin Gabor, UWW. Heaton photo by Richard Immel.

The U.S. is sending several experienced women’s freestyle athletes to the 2018 Junior World Championships next week in Trnava, Slovakia.

The women’s squad features a pair of past Cadet World champions, including 2018 Cadet World champion Macey Kilty at 68 kg and 2015 Cadet World champion Ronna Heaton at 55 kg.

Kilty is fresh off of her World title performance, taking the 69 kg gold medal at the 2018 Cadet World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, in July. Kilty breezed through the field, collecting two falls, one tech fall and a dominant decision, which came in the finals.

Kilty’s World title came one year after she fell short of making the Cadet World Team in 2017. In 2016, she made her international debut at the Cadet World Championships, where she won a bronze medal.

In addition to her World medals, the Wisconsin native owns gold medals from the 2017 Cadet Pan American Championships and Cadet Klippan Lady Open. Kilty is also a four-time Fargo champion, winning her most recent one in July, just one week after the 2018 Cadet Worlds.

Story from USA Wrestling, read entire article HERE

How to Use Fall Sports to Prepare for Wrestling Season

By Matt Krumrie | August 30, 2018
August Manz, head wrestling coach at Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa, expects all his wrestlers to participate in multiple sports and activities throughout the school year. In the fall, several Thomas Jefferson wrestlers participate in cross country, golf, and football.

Just being in a school activity has benefits that go beyond preparing for the wrestling season, Manz says.

“Participating in a fall sport is a great way for the wrestler to be involved within the school,” says Manz, who also serves as Southwest Region representative for Iowa-USA Wrestling. “They get a feeling of what it’s like being a contributor to a team and involved in an activity with other student-athletes from the start of the school year.”

While student athletes are physically active during a fall sport, it’s still a break from wrestling, and that's important.

“Participating in a fall sport gives the body the rest it needs from the wrestling all winter and spring,” Manz says. “It also allows the wrestler to learn how to compete outside their comfort zone. What I mean by this is our elite wrestlers feel comfortable on the mat, they carry confidence when they take the mat and know and expect to win the majority of the time.

“Now, take that same wrestler and put them on a cross-country course and see what they do when they are not the top dog. Does this wrestler give up and say ‘well those guys are distance runners so it’s okay that they beat me’ or does that wrestler go out and work at keeping up with that great distance runner? I am not saying win, but compete. Competing out of your comfort zone can help you take the next step in your wrestling goals for that season and beyond. As a coach I want wrestlers who are competitors, that's what life is all about.”

It’s no secret that football can benefit wrestlers, especially offensive and defensive linemen, who rely on footwork, balance, stance/technique, positioning, strength, and hand fighting to succeed. Those are all important skills crucial to success in wrestling.

“I want football players wrestling so we can fill our upper weights, but these larger guys bring in technique that they used all fall into the wrestling room and carry on these skills to perfection,” Manz says. “No other sport complements football more than wrestling.”

Leath has heard a consistent message from college recruiters throughout his time in sports. Recruiters consistently deliver the same message to coaches:

“I am looking for athletes, not specialists.”

In 2017, 87 percent of NFL draft picks were multi-sport athletes.

“Whether it is wrestling, football, soccer, lacrosse, cross country, volleyball, or any other sport, there are a lot of great reasons why a high school athlete should consider participation in other sports when their primary sport is out of season,” Leath says.

Leath offered three benefits of participating in a fall sport before wrestling season, see more of the article HERE at USA Wrestling

Content from USA Wrestling

WWF Annual Meeting Will Be Held on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at the Wintergreen Resort at 60 North Gasser Road, Wisconsin Dells, WI  53965.

Registration starts at 11:00am and the meeting starts at 12:30pm.

All USAW sanctioned clubs are invited

Any questions please contact Sandy Russell at srussell_wwf@yahoo.com or 262-968-9542

Shilson & Kilty: Winning All Over The World | From Flowrestling

Emily Shilson and Macey Kilty have become a tandem of domination. 

After each of them claimed Cadet world titles, they went back to Fargo last week where their hands triumphantly continued to be raised in victory.
World champion Kilty won her fourth title. Her first title coming in the Cadet division in 2016 at 108 pounds before she placed third in the Junior division that same year. She came back the next year and not only claimed titles in both divisions but also took home both Outstanding Wrestler awards. This year she didn’t have a match make it past the two-minute mark as she shut out each of her opponents to win another title.

Shilson & Kilty: Winning All Over The World

Wisconsin Girls Juniors 4th overall at Fargo 2018

Two Cadet All-Americans:
138 - Jade Herzer, 4th
180 - Brianna Staebler, 5th

Eight Junior All-Americans:
117 - Gabby Skidmore, 3rd
122 - Ali Howk, 2nd
132 - Ashton Cadman, 4th
144 - Kiana Pugh, 4th
144 - Jayden Laurent, 1st
152 - Macey Kilty, 1st
164 - Natalie Kemp, 6th
225 - Kayla Henk, 7th

Kevin Black named 2018 USA Wrestling Women’s Developmental Coach of the Year!

Wrestling Wednesday
Laurent, Kilty USAW Jr. National Champs!

Macey Kilty and Jayden Laurent combined to with the 4th and 5th all-time Junior Women's Freestyle titles  for the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation at the 2018 USMC/USAW Cadet & Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota July 17-18, 2018

Championship Matches;
144 Jayden Laurent (Wisconsin) TF Jerzie Estrada (Colorado) 13-3
152 Macey Kilty (Wisconsin) TF Kaylynn Albrect (Texas) 11-0
Results available at Flowrestling/Floarena

WWF Women's Junior Placewinners 2018 - FARGO          
117lbs.  Gabrielle Skidmore                          3rd Place
122lbs.  Alisha Howk                                       2nd Place
132lbs.  Ashton Cadman                                4th Place
144lbs.  Jayden Laurent                                 1st Place                                             
144lbs.  Kiana Pugh                                          4th Place                             
152lbs.  Macey Kilty                                         1st Place
164lbs.  Natalie Kemp                                     6th Place
225lbs.  Kayla Henk                                          7th Place

WWF Women's Cadet Placewinners 2018 - FARGO          
138lbs.  Jade Herzer 4th Place
180lbs.  Brianna Staebler 5th Place

Barnett, O’toole USAW Junior Freestyle National Champions
Eric Barnett (Hortonville High School) and Keegan O’toole (Arrowhead High School) each snared Junior Freestyle titles  wrestling for the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation at the 2018 USMC/USAW Cadet & Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota.

Finals matches:
120lbs. Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) ove Aden Reeves (Iowa), 2-0 1:32 First Place
138lbs. Keegan O’toole (Wisconsin) over Gabriel Tagg (Ohio), 11-6 First Place

Juniors also placing in freestyle for Wisconsin:
145LBS Drew Scharenbrock 5th Place
160LBS Tyler Dow 5th Place
170LBS Parker Keckeisen 3rd Place
195LBS Beau Yineman 5th Place

Full results  on Florarena
Photos: Bret Peterson

Kilty United World Wrestling Cadet Champion
Macey Kilty (Stratford, Wisconsin) bested a field of 16 competitors from around the world to win the United World Wrestling Cadet National Championship at 69kg in Zagreb, Croatia today (Friday, July 6, 2018).

Championship Match - Macey Ellen Kilty (United States) won by decision over Julia Hanna Ellinor Fridlund (Sweden) Decision 9-3
Semifinal Match - Macey Ellen Kilty won by fall over Mengwei Zhang (CHINA) 1:40
Quarterfinal Match - Macey Ellen Kilty won by tech fall over Anastasiya Alpyeyeva (Ukraine) Tech Fall 12-1
Championship Round 1 - Macey Ellen Kilty won by fall over Sonika Hooda (India) 3:00

This coming weekend May 5th and 6th the WWF Freestyle and Greco-Roman State Championships will be wrestled at the Wisconsin Dells Center in Wisconsin Dells. Freestyle will be held on Saturday and Greco-Roman on Sunday.  All the matches will be trackcasted on Trackwrestling. The Freestyle Semi-finals on Saturday for the Cadets and Juniors will start around noon and the finals matches around 1pm.

Preregistration has ended, but wrestlers can register at the door of any of the weigh-in sites Friday night.

It is a great time of year! Freestyle and Greco season is full steam ahead and we have plenty of opportunities for tournaments and training. Below is a list of sanctioned tournaments that local clubs will be running.

Please continue to check this link for updated information as more tournaments get added https://www.wiwrestlingfederation.com/page/show/981033-sanctioned-club-tournaments

WWF Tournaments and Training Opportunities

April 7 Kimberly Freestyle & Greco

April 7 Franklin Spring Classic

April 8 Westby Freestyle/ Greco

April 14 Sparta Freestyle & Greco

April 14 West Allis Freestyle & Greco

April 21 Mukwonago Freestyle and Greco

April 21 Iowa Grant Freestyle snd Greco

April 21 West Central 2-Style Challenge

April 22 Mauston Talons Freestyle & Greco

April 22 Benton/Cuba City Freestyle and Greco

April 28 Elkhorn Freestyle & Greco

For those looking for more training the WWF Training Team is now open for registration. Below are the dates and locations of the training and competitions.

Women’s

https://www.wiwrestlingfederation.com/women

Schoolboy

https://www.wiwrestlingfederation.com/page/show/983874-kids

Cadet

https://wiwrestlingfederation.sportngin.com/page/show/983992-cadets

Junior

https://wiwrestlingfederation.sportngin.com/page/show/983997-juniors

April
14 Freestyle Practice UW La Crosse
14 Greco Practice X Factor
21 Greco Practice Combat
21 Freestyle Practice Wrightstown

May
5-6 WWF State Freestyle
12 Freestyle Practice DeForest
12 Greco Practice Merrill
19-20 Northern Plains Rochester, MN 
25-27 Central Regional Ada, OH
31-June 3 UWW Cadet World Team Trials Akron, OH

There are lots of Freshman wrestling this weekend in the WIAA Sectionals all across the state! Sectionals are some of the most stressful matches for athletes and parents alike.

Are you a parent and unsure what to expect?  We got you. USA Wrestling breaks it down. Good luck to all wrestlers this weekend! See you at the Kohl Center!

https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2017/October/12/What-to-Expect-as-a-First-Time-Wrestling-Parent

Kylie Welker, Franksville, Wisconsin, wins 48kg Pan Am Gold in Chile

Kylie Welker (Franksville, Wisconsin) became a two time Pan Am Games medalist for the USA team, taking the 48kg Gold medal in Santiago, Chile. Welker won a bronze medal in the 44 kg/96.8 lbs. class for USA at the 2016 Pan Ams in Colombia.

Read more HERE

Wisconsin Girls Fargo Junior and Cadet Teams Shine Bright

Girls | Wisconsin at USA Wrestling Nationals | 2017

Cadet Girls Freestyle –

The Wisconsin women battled to a 5th place team finish at the USMC Cadet Women's National Championships in Fargo, ND.  Only two points separated the 3rd through 5th place teams.  The most impressive feat of the tournament for Team Wisconsin was at the tough 127-pound weight bracket where two Wisconsin athletes met in the championship finals.  Returning Cadet national champion and World Bronze Medalist Macey Kilty defeated teammate Ashton Cadman, 10-0.  Cadman pinned Folkstyle National Champion Jessica Sanchez (California) in the semi-finals.  Kilty was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Cadet tournament.

Natalie Kemp secured the second 'stop sign' for Team Wisconsin with a title at 180 pounds.  Natalie swept the weight class this season as she also won Folkstyle Nationals in March.  Kemp improved on her 3rd place finish as a Cadet one year ago.

Kiana Pugh breezed into the finals, but was stopped by Cadet World Team Member Kelani Corbett from Hawaii, 8-5.  Pugh got out to a 4-0 early lead in the match, however, Corbett chipped away at the lead and secured the win.

Other All-Americans were Autumn Hohn (6th place, 100 pounds), Rose Ann Marshall (7th place, 106 pounds) and Rhiannon Kuske (8th place, 117 pounds).  Hohn earned her second All-American honor as a Cadet.  Marshall finished 2nd in 2016. Rose Annl earned the Cadet Pinning Award (most pins, least amount of time) as well.

Junior Girls Freestyle –

Team Wisconsin turned heads on the FargoDome floor with three individual national champions and a 2nd place team finish.  

Alisha Howk won the 112-pound bracket with a thrilling 10-8 victory over Autumn Gordon from Ohio.  Howk bested Arizona's first ever Cadet national champion Stefana Jelacic, 9-8 in the semi-finals. 

Macey Kilty won her second Outstanding Wrestler award, coming away on top in the loaded 127-pound bracket.  Kilty defeated three superstars, in the women's wrestling world, in consecutive matches.  Macey took down Kaden Campbell (Colorado) 14-8, in the quarterfinals, returning national champion Brenda Reyna (Washington) 9-8 in the semi-finals and stunned World Champion Ronna Heaton in the gold medal match, 4-1.  

One year ago, Jayden Laurent was a Cadet National Champion and lost a close battle in the Junior finals.  This year, however, Laurent dominated five matches to win the coveted Junior National title.  On the stage, she defeated world team member Alara Boyd (Indiana) by technical fall, 10-0. (144lb.).  In five matches, she outscored opponents 49-1.

Other Team Wisconsin members earning All-American honors were Kiana Pugh (3rd place, 152 pounds), Natalie Kemp (3rd place, 180 pounds), Hannah Ramos (5th place, 138 pounds), Gabby Skidmore (6th place, 112 pounds), and Ashton Cadman (7th place, 127 pounds).  Pugh was successful in avenging a loss from earlier in the week in a re-match of the Cadet National finals with Kelani Corbett from Hawaii.  Also of note, Skidmore defeated teammate Allie Grobarchik in the "blood round" (round of 12).  Grobarchik won 3 consecutive matches before falling to teammates in the quarterfinals (Howk) and round of 12 (Skidmore).

Boys | Wisconsin at USA Wrestling Nationals | 2017

The 2017 USA Wrestling National Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota is always a site to be seen.  A total of 45 states were represented this year in the Fargo Dome on the campus of North Dakota State University.  Thousands of athletes competing on 24 mats, all looking to win a national title on the elevated center stage. 

Wisconsin sent nearly 200 athletes westward to strut their stuff in the largest tournament in the world.  Becoming an All-American is quite an accomplishment.  Brackets are huge and filled with the best talent this great nation has to offer.  Wrestlers must be in peak physical condition as the rest time between matches is limited to only 15 minutes.  An athlete can finish a grueling match and then be called upon to compete again in what feels like only moments.

Cadet Boys Freestyle -
The Wisconsin Cadet Freestyle team showed up to compete!  Battling in each round to take home a 10th Place finish in the national tournament with 4 All-Americans.

126 Keegan O’Toole 4th Place
132 Aidan Medora 2nd Place
152 Joshua Otto 4th Place
285 Logan Zschernitz 5th Place

Junior Boys Freestyle –
Our Wisconsin Junior Freestyle team represented very well, finishing in 11th Place with 3 All-Americans.
Tyler Dow had the match to behold in the Semifinal round.  The time was running out in the second period; Tyler was down on points, something had to be done.  Our Wisconsin Coaches were calm and collected in the corner.  They threw the block to have the video reviewed.  Just like they thought, the points didn’t add up.  At the end of the review, Tyler was only down by a few points and addition time was placed on the clock.  With a pure Wisconsin work ethic, Tyler set forth to get his job done!  When the smoke cleared and the buzzer sounded; two monster throws by Dow were enough to move him into the national finals.

126 Aaron Schulist 6th Place
138 Jeremy Schoenherr 2nd Place
160 Tyler Dow 2nd Place

Greco | Wisconsin at USA Wrestling Nationals | 2017

Wisconsin has a fine tradition in Greco Roman wrestling.  The 2017 Wisconsin Cadet and Junior Teams continued to carry that torch as they moved through the National Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota.  The number you are looking for is 15!  This is the number of Greco All-Americans coming home to Wisconsin!

Greco Roman wrestling may take a back seat to Freestyle when it comes to popularity, but the spectators in the stands love to watch the high scoring matches.  The risk versus reward is so much higher in Greco.  When you watch the chess match that is Freestyle, the small details may be lost on the average fan.  Wrestlers compete for position and battle to scrape out a 3-2 match.  In Greco, you let it fly!  Our young men were very active to score big throws and lifts to receive big points.  Greco matches can go back and forth with a high scoring result of 18-14.  You risk the hold to be rewarded on the scoreboard.

Cadet Boys Greco –
The Wisconsin Cadet Greco Team battled to a 6th Place finish amongst the field with 7 All-Americans including a National Champion!

88 Payton Jacobson 4th Place 
94 Blaine Brenner 6th Place   
113 Hunter Lewis 1st Place    
120 Aiden Nutter 5th Place                 
152 Gage Coppock 8th Place              
170 Tyler Hannah 2nd Place
285 Logan Zschernitz 2nd Place

Junior Boys Greco-
The Wisconsin Junior Greco Team captured a 2nd Place finish with 8 All-Americans.

113 Eric Barnett 4th Place                  
120 Brady Koontz 2nd Place              
138 Alston Nutter 2nd Place
160 Tyler Dow 2nd Place                   
160 Hayden Krein 7th Place               
170 Jose Acosta 8th Place
195 Dalton Hahn 2nd Place                
220 Aric Bohn 3rd Place

These young men worked to put themselves amongst the best in the nation.  Pulling together to make sure that everyone shared the load.  The trait of a leader is one that climbs to the top and then turns around to help others achieve the same.  I would say that Wisconsin Greco is not shy about giving a hand up!

Wrestling in Fargo, North Dakota is like going to see the Great and Powerful Oz.  So many things hold your attention.  So many things to focus on.  So many shiny objects to draw your eye. The final product is a wondrous spectacle to behold.  How many people have ever looked behind the curtain?  How many people truly want to know the work that goes into making everything appear effortless?

This year was my first on staff with the Wisconsin National team.  I was brought on staff to work behind this magical curtain, to assist our State Coach Scott Kluever.  The amount of time and energy put in to make this event run smooth for our athletes and our coaches is absolutely amazing.  The organization it takes to keep all our buses, athletes and coaches running on time and back and forth from River Falls to Fargo is a bit of wizardry. 

A few of my duties to help the program were: our Junior Recruit portfolio, secure practice mats for our programs as they arrive in Fargo and for those wrestling both styles, mat assignments for all of our athletes and coaches, checking into the hotel for all athletes and coaches and a general schedule to insure we, as a state, remain on top of our game.  Not to mention, I got to coach a few matches!

While in Fargo, I had the opportunity to attend several national meetings.   These meeting are run after the last match of the day has completed and may run late pending the topic.  Topics of the meetings I attended were: the general schedule of the National tournament, girls wrestling at national events and the spotlight on building state programs and the combination of all levels at a single location for the National Duals. 

Of the three topics, the schedule seemed to move along the quickest and have the most agreement amongst state representatives.  Most states were looking for a day of weigh in and an earlier finish to the final day.  As we all progress with weight issues amongst our wrestlers, states agreed a day of weigh in would eliminate the big cuts and make our sport healthier.  It was nice to see our leaders working together for progress.

The girls meeting was very well attended!  The room was filled, with no empty seats and people spilling out onto the stairs and walkways.  The meeting seemed to go back and forth as the crowd worked to vote in a new leader and give direction for future events.  As a member of the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association, adding girls wrestling to the ‘cheese state’ is a priority of mine.  It was a great opportunity for me to ask questions and seek out methods to limit the hurdles for inclusion. 

The National Duals was an interesting meeting.  I see so much written on our own forum about why our state does not attend.  I see a lot of negative chatter regarding our leader’s vision and the grand scheme.  What I witnessed was the Wisconsin State Coach leading the national discussion on combining the Cadet and Junior Duals into one event and moving the date as to give plenty of time to recover and develop before the run to the National Tournament.  This would make the duals more affordable for all states to attend and give our wrestlers the added time to recover between events.  There is a plan in place and soon it will grow fruit!

I learned so much as a coach during the camps leading up to the National Tournament.  Having the opportunity to sit down with many of the best coaches in the state to share technique and philosophy was invaluable.  If you do not continue to grow and learn, you get passed by.  This is true with anything in life.  If you truly want to achieve greatness, you need to evolve with our sport. 

After being home with my family, I took time to reflect upon my travels.  The bus rides, the van rides, the competition, the short naps between sessions, the snacks in my backpack.  The amount of time I spent texting coaches should actually work in my favor if I choose to pursue a career in thumb wrestling.  All the interaction with our athletes and many parents. Both were on a roller coaster of emotion.  I appreciate the opportunities I am given and how this sport has taken me from a small town in Ohio to travel our great nation.  All with a common goal.  To be the best.  The best wrestler, the best coach, the best.  To finish my article with a Wizard of Oz theme, I do have a story about a magical pair of shoes.  Feel free to walk up to me at any event throughout next season and ask.  I am more than happy to share.

Randy Ferrell
Head Wrestling Coach
West Allis Nathan Hale

The Wisconsin Wrestling Federation would like to thank the following coaches for their work with the 2017 WWF Training and National Teams. Several of these coaches began preparing the teams in April and traveled with teams to their competitions. These individuals are instrumental in the program’s success! We also thank the High School and Club coaches for all the work they do to prepare their wrestlers!

Wisconsin Wrestling Federation, guided by USA Wrestling, provides quality opportunities for its members to achieve their full human and athletic potential. Wisconsin Wrestling Federation will strive to be USA Wrestling’s best state organization.