From an early age our club emphasizes that EFFORT is more important than RESULTS as in the long term we believe that this will lead to better results and a healthier, saner experience for all involved, most importantly the wrestler. We teach the kids that hard work can be fun and build fundamentals while improving their strength, conditioning and self-confidence.

No. Wrestlers do not have to “make” a certain weight class. They simply weigh-in and are grouped with like sized and aged wrestlers at each tournament. There are no specific weight classes in 90% of our tournaments. The exception to this is the State Championship or other larger, more competitive tournaments. Even with this exception – “cutting weight” will not be condoned by the Club. A sensible balanced diet throughout the season is encouraged, mainly cutting out unnecessary sweets and soda.

Chesterton Elementary Wrestling League (CEWL):

• CEWL is open to any child attending Duneland, Saint Pat’s and Discovery Charter schools grades K – 6 of any wrestling ability.
• The league meets two times a week from early November until mid to late December. The program includes instruction from Chesterton High School Coaches and Wrestlers as well as at least three friendship meets with other clubs from neighboring communities. The league is a great introduction to wrestling and also serves to enhance the skills of more experienced wrestlers.
• Sign-ups will be offered online prior to November practices and at the first few of them. The club is moving towards having all sign-ups completed online

Chesterton Wrestling Club (CWC):

• CWC is open to any child attending Duneland, Saint Pat’s and Discovery Charter schools grades K – 8.
• The club starts in early January when winter break ends and practices 2-3 times per week (depending on age/maturity group) with optional Sunday competitions throughout the region and central Indiana.
• There will be two practice groups which will be split up based on age, experience and maturity levels.
• There are two segments of the club season:
  • Folkstyle season which lasts from early January until the ISWA Folkstyle State Championships on March 13^th
  • The Freestyle season which starts up when school re-starts after Spring break and lasts until the ISWA Freestyle State Championships May 8th. During this portion of the season, Greco Roman technique and competitions will be available though in smaller portions.

The club has a strict cleaning and sanitation process for the mats that CHS’ janitors and wrestlers perform. In addition, we employ the following rules:

• Wrestlers are required to have clean clothing for every practice.
• Wrestlers are to bathe/shower ASAP after practicing with warm, soapy water.
• Wrestling shoes (or street shoes used as wrestling shoes) are not to be worn outside of the wrestling room and are to be put on in the wrestling room prior to practice and taken off in the wrestling room after practice.
• Fingernails need to be kept trimmed so as to not scratch teammates.
• Sick or infected wrestlers will not be allowed to participate in practices. Those with any bumps, rashes or irritations need to refrain from practicing as well.
• When in doubt discuss issue with coach, trainer or medical professional.

• Clean shorts (no zippers/buttons) and t-shirts for each practice. Singlets are OK at practice but typically worn during competitions.
• Wrestling shoes – encouraged. If using non-wrestling street shoes ensure that they are clean and dedicated to wrestling only.
• Headgear – optional in practice but required in competitions for younger wrestlers
• Knee-pads - optional
• Mouth guards – If wrestler has braces mouthpiece is required. Otherwise it is strongly encouraged in practice, required in competition for younger wrestlers.

*Custom non-required apparel will be available for purchase. We will provide information to the group when it is available.

Find us on Facebook, on the Schedule tab on this website and make sure you’re on the club’s email distribution list.

Long-story/short: Folkstyle (in season from early November through March) rewards wrestlers for controlling their opponents whereas Freestyle and Greco (in season from April through summer) reward exposure. For detailed explanation see this: http://content.themat.com/forms/Rulebook.pdf or for a summary see pages 8-10 of this Parent's Guide. The Parent’s guide is a great read for new parents and veterans to the sport.

No, we are prohibited from holding practices when school is on break, cancelled or has early-dismissal by the school’s administration.