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Wrestling
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Wrestling Commissioner: Scott Galdi
E-mail: sgaldi@verizon.net
Below is a brief description of our program:
Wrestling is a unique sport in that it is designed to pair up contenders by age, weight, and experience. By doing this, it allows each wrestler a fair and equal opportunity over their opponent. During the early stages of the recreational program, the coaches help the wrestlers learn the fundamentals of the sport and expose them to years of fun they can have on the mat. As the wrestlers progress in age, and in the program, the coaches guide them in learning more sophisticated wrestling moves, enabling them to develop a well rounded array of offensive and defensive skills. In addition, wrestling presents a child with the skills to be part of a team event as well as compete under an individual basis. Our wrestlers attend practice and matches as a team, working towards a group success. However, wrestling is also a very individual sport in that each wrestler goes on to the mat alone, facing their opponent, and walks off the mat proud of their accomplishment. This sport has the ability to build self confidence, discipline, and a strong bond of team camaraderie.
Wrestling is broken down into various age groups. They include Bantams, Novices, Juniors, and Intermediates. Each of these four levels is determined by the birth year of the child. For example, Bantams are made up of wrestlers born in the year 2000 or greater; Midgets are born in 1998 and 1999, Juniors are born in 1996 and 1997, and Intermediates are born in 1995 or earlier. By doing this it helps keep levels of maturity somewhat equal. The next level of matching has to do with weight classes. There are many weight classes within each level, they can range from very light weight to heavy weight. For example, in the Bantam level the weight levels are; 40, 43, 47, 50, 53, 57, 60, 63, 67, 70, 73, 77, 80, 87, 95, and heavy weight. There are similar weight classes for Novices, Juniors, and Intermediates. The final delineation between wrestlers is experience. Even though a wrestler may be of an equal age and weight class to another wrestler, one wrestler may have many years of experience over another wrestler placing an uneven advantage between them. When match preparation is taking place the experience level is reviewed by the coaches to determine the optimal pairing. Each of the three levels; age, weight, and experience are always reviewed and considered for the wrestlers, making the matches and tournament a positive experience.
Traditionally, the wrestlers practice during the week, after school, normally three days a week for two hours for the older wrestlers, and two days a week for one and a half hours for the younger wrestlers. Team matches take place on Saturdays, starting in the morning. Dual meets for some of the more experienced wrestlers take place on various weekdays or weekends. Dual meets are matches arranged between our wrestling club and one other club. In the dual meet only one wrestler per weight class is permitted. It is very similar to the experience a High School wrestler would be exposed to. Finally, there are a few tournaments that the wrestlers can participate in. These tournaments use the same standards for pairing wrestlers equally. A tournament normally takes place on a Sunday, running most of the day if your wrestler is successful in winning each of their matches.
The season begins in December and depending on the success a wrestler may have during the year and during the final tournaments (Districts and Regions) they may complete the season at the end of February. Practice takes place at West Ridge, in the designated wrestling room. Specific days and time schedules will be distributed via email by the Head Coaches to each wrestler. Some of the matches are held at the Park Ridge High School main gym, some dual meets will be at West Ridge’s multipurpose room, and some will require traveling to another school within our league. All of the locations, addresses and times will be communicated in advance via email. It is very important for parents to provide a current and regularly accessed email address for accurate communication and updates to the matches, practices, weight-ins, and tournaments.
Wrestling apparel during matches includes wrestling shoes, head gear, and a singlet for matches. The PRAA provides the team singlet worn for the matches. During practice wrestlers wear wrestling shoes, head gear, shorts and tee shirt. For wrestlers requiring glasses, special protective eyewear can be purchased at a sporting goods store or on-line.
The Registration cost is $50 for wrestlers’ in grades 1st thru 2nd, and $75 for wrestlers’ in grades 3rd thru 8th.
If you have any questions on the above information or the program in general please contact the wrestling commissioner via e-mail.
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