Advanced Kids Club Practices

Parents/Wrestlers, 

The Mt. Zion Kids Club Wrestling Board consists of the following members, Donovan Marschner, Justin Johnson, Gary Hubner, Clay Cannon, Pete Edwards, Anne Brummerstedt, Mick Brummerstedt, Jason Eckenrod, Tom Watkins, Jodi Geisler, and Greg Scharf. We meet four times each year to discuss past, present, and future business of the club. The board is dedicated to growing the sport of wrestling in our community and developing one of the finest wrestling programs in the State of Illinois. We constantly look for ways to improve our club and the opportunities for our wrestlers. 

Over the last several years, we have recognized that our younger kids were having a tremendous amount of success and the 1st and 2nd year wrestlers were developing very well. However, when it comes time to compete at the state tournament our more advanced kids have been struggling. 

This year at our spring meeting, the Mt. Zion Kids Club Wrestling Board asked our coaches, “What do you need to make our advanced wrestlers successful at the state level?” Our coaches had some definite ideas based on their experiences in the sport of wrestling and discussions with coaches from all over the state. 

Please remember, these suggestions pertained to our advanced wrestlers. 

1. Increase the intensity of the practice room. We’ve all heard, “You play, how you practice”. This holds true especially in a sport like wrestling. 
2. Wrestlers should wear a singlet and head gear to practice. Based on the fact that many kids only have the singlet that was provided by the club, we only ask that kids avoid wearing baggy shorts and over sized t-shirts. It is extremely difficult for the coaches to teach your child(ren) wrestling moves when they are wearing baggy shorts and over sized t-shirts. It is also difficult when they wrestle “live” for them and their opponent to be able to wrestle properly. 
3. Close the practice room. While many of the top clubs in the state close their practice rooms. We see value in having parents of the younger children and beginner’s parents to see what they are being taught. However, on nights when it is just the advanced kids, the practice room will be closed. 

Wrestlers are invited to the advanced practice sessions by the coaching staff (Jason Eckenrod, Tom Watkins, Gary Hubner, Dan Butler, Trevor Petro, and Ron Dalluge). The coaches choose to invite wrestlers based on ability, work ethic, and maturity. An advanced wrestler may also be asked not to attend a closed practice, if they do not demonstrate the proper work ethic or maturity. No wrestler is required to attend advanced practices. If you do not feel comfortable having your child, attend closed practice sessions or don’t feel they are quite ready for this level of intensity that is certainly your choice. The two nights a week, when the room is open will be extremely beneficial to your wrestler.

The only people in the wrestling room on advanced nights will be active coaches (as determined by our head coach), advanced wrestlers (invited by our coaching staff), and board members.  Please, understand the closed practice room is not intended to be any type slight to our parents. This club will never be successful without parental support. The closed room is intended to provide an accelerated, intense, and focused learning environment for our wrestlers.

Our program is fortunate to have one of the finest coaching staffs in the State of Illinois. The staff has close to 200 years of combined wrestling experience at every level from youth to NCAA Division I wrestling. They have a complete understanding of what it takes to make a successful wrestler and they are committed to seeing our wrestlers succeed. 

Please, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to discuss this with any one of the board members. 

Thank you! 

Mt. Zion Kids Club Wrestling