What to Expect!

Welcome to wrestling!  Below are some of what you, as a parent, can expect during your wrestler's season:

1)  Registration:  The 2019/20 registration fee will be a single payment of $180 (cash or credit card only). This fee includes the $45 IKWF/USAW competitor card/insurance, singlet rental, IKWF club fees, OLP club overhead, practice facility rental, IKWF/USAW cards and Certifications for the coaches, entrance to the IKWF State Series (Regionals, Sectionals and IKWF State tournaments).

2)  Practices:  Normally, we will divide the kids into 3 groups, beginners, experienced and middle school.  During practices, the kids will practice technique with their group and some live wrestling.  We encourage wrestlers to attend ALL practices and to get as much mat-time as possible to improve their technique.

3)  Uniform/Equipment:  The club will provide a team singlet to every wrestler which will be turned back in at the end of the season.  Ear guards (AKA headgear) ad wrestling shoes will need to be purchased.  Optional items include mouth guards, knee pads/sleeves, skin protectant, team warm-up jacket/pants and other SpiritWear items.

The team singlet will be required at predetermined tournaments to include dual meets and tournaments with a team trophy.  Please review the tournaments page frequently.

4)  Tournaments:  There will be several tournaments that you can enter your wrestler in.  Local tournaments usually cost $20-25 to enter and some of the state/national tournaments can run as much as $100.

We highly suggest that wrestlers go to at least one tournament each weekend.  Win or lose, the only way to get better at this sport is to compete and learn from your loses.

Through the team's fundraising efforts, the club will pay the entry fees for the following tournaments:

• Mid-County Duals (only the team selected can participate)
• Winter Nationals
• Tulsa Kickoff and Tulsa Nationals
• Indy Nationals
• IKWF Regional and Sectionals
• Bantam Championships
• Midget/Intermediate Championships
• IKWF (Novice & Senior) State
• Adidas Nationals
• ASICS Nationals
• IL Freestyle State
• IL Greco-Roman State
• Northern Plains FS/GR Regional (with Team IL uniform package)
• Other national and regional events at the Wrestling Director's discretion and as money permits
• Some local tournaments at the Wrestling Director's discretion and as money permits

During a normal weekend, we will usually have kids competing at 2-4 different tournaments with at least one designated as our "team tournament."

5)  Freestyle/Greco-Roman:  After the normal Folkstyle season, there will be several local, instructional tournaments building up to the two state tournaments.  Any wrestler placing 1st thru 6th at either the Freestyle or Greco-Roman State tournament qualifies to represent Team Illinois at the Northern Plains FS/GR tournament.  Over the past several years, the O'Fallon Little Panthers have had several wrestlers go through the FS/GR season and excel.