EDWARDSVILLE WRESTLING CLUB
Established: 1992
Mission: To enhance the lives of wrestlers and their families through the sport of wrestling.
The Edwardsville Wrestling Club (EWC) is a not-for-profit organization. EWC is not a part of the Edwardsville School District Unit 7. However, it works in conjunction with the School District and its Wrestling Programs (i.e., High School and Middle School teams). The Coaches at EWC work closely with the Middle School Coaches (AJ Cicarelli and Sean Mead) and the High School Coaches (Jon Wagner, Kevin Matarelli, Doug Heinz, Eric Pretto) in order to train wrestlers in the technique required by these coaches at their respective levels.
Many of the varsity wrestlers at the Middle School and High School are former EWC wrestlers. The high level of physical endurance, mat time, and wrestling technique training received during EWC practice and tournament participation has prepared them to compete at the Middle School and High School levels.
EWC provides kids, ages 5 - 14 residing in the Edwardsville School District, the opportunity to learn the sport of wrestling in an organized environment. EWC teaches the fundamentals of wrestling not only to prepare wrestlers to excel at the Middle School and High School levels but also to excel in life. Sportsmanship, discipline, team participation, academic excellence and service are emphasized.
The EWC is financed by the Edwardsville Wrestling Booster Club. The Booster Club consists of volunteers from all three levels of wrestling in Edwardsville (EWC, Middle School & High School) and holds fundraisers each year. Two of the fundraisers are tournaments held by EWC: the Edwardsville Beginners Tournament and the Edwardsville Kids Open Tournament. These two tournaments will be held in December and require one day of parent participation (security, concession worker, table worker, registration…). The money raised is used at all three levels of wrestling, for uniforms, mats, head gear, assistance for wrestlers unable to afford wrestling fees, etc…)
The EWC is a sanctioned member of the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation (IKWF) and USA Wrestling. The EWC folkstyle season begins November 1st. The season concludes in March with the State Finals. There currently is no State Series for Middle School wrestlers, so participation in EWC affords kids the opportunity to experience a high level State Wrestling Series during their Middle School years.
Practices are held two times a week on Mondays & Wednesdays at the Jon Davis Wrestling Center from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m depending on the age group.
Tournaments begin the first weekend in December and continue until completion of the State Series in the middle of March. The tournaments are held in various towns throughout the State. Most of our participation is local. The tournaments provide wrestlers the opportunity to compete and use the techniques they have learned in practice. The format of the tournaments is such that everyone gets to wrestle, not just first string wrestlers.
Brackets are usually made up of 8 wrestlers based on weights and ages. Divisions are set up by age: 6 & under; 7 & 8; 9 & 10; 11 & 12; and 13 & 14 year olds. Each wrestler has to weigh in for each tournament. Every member of the EWC is eligible to participate in any tournament.
Tournaments are not mandatory and typically cost approximately $15.00 for a wrestler to participate. There is a small fee for spectators. Wrestlers receive a trophy, medal or ribbon at almost all tournaments in which they participate.
Wrestlers may join the EWC at any time during the wrestling season
Please direct any questions in regard to the EWC to Head Coach, Pat McNamara @ (618) 204-2415
We encourage you and your wrestler to join our Edwardsville Wrestling Family!!