Current News

Looking Toward 2010

2009-12-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

The first few weeks of the Tournament Season have been equal parts tough, competitive, successful and a learning experience - on a variety of levels.

All the wrestlers, regardless of age or experience, are working hard on Sundays and using what they learn during the week during their tournament matches. Whether a wrestler wins or loses the key is to take something away from that match which can be improved or sharpened for the next time.

Looking ahead the club will host its annual matches on Sunday, Dec. 27th, at Naperville Central High School. A number of quality teams are bringing wrestlers so this will be another good experience for our team.

Be sure to continue checking the web site and calendar for news, updates and schedule changes. During the Christmas Break the club will meet for practice in the cafeteria while the high school undergoes some construction projects.

Lastly, distribution of Tournament Entry payment envelopes will soon take place. For the Spartan Rumble on 2/14/10 each wrestler must complete an entry form. We will have copies available at practice and on the FORMS page of the website. REMEMBER - just write one check for tournament entry payment and include all the fees in that one check. You do not need to write separate checks for each event.

Have a nice holiday and we look forward to seeing everyone at practice.

Tournament Time

2009-12-02T12:22:00.001-08:00

Our first month of practice and training is nearly complete and all the wrestlers are working hard to hone their skills in preparation for tournament competition.

The web site Calendar provide details about each tournament - the who, where, when mostly. Each detail box includes a map of the tournament location to help you travel.

Here are a few tips to help make Sunday mornings a little easier.

1. Be sure you have an IKWF weigh-in card - the team should provide you with these prior to your first tournament. It has the wrestlers name, club name and IKWF competitor no. printed on it. These help tournament hosts keep competitors organized.

2. Be on time for weigh in. Many tournament hosts close weigh-ins at the predetermined time; if you arrive late they may not allow you to participate.

3. Look around the gymnasium and find the team. We always sit together - we are a family.

4. Pack some drinks and food for the day. Most tournaments provide concessions, and many hosts forbid coolers in the gym, but this rule goes largely un-enforced. HOWEVER, along those same lines, the Naperville Wrestling Club is a good guest! We keep our area clean and pick up any trash laying around before we leave for the day. Please do your part to maintain our reputation as a responsible club and tournament participant.

5. Bring books, games and other things to keep you occupied. There will be "down time" between matches. However, you are responsible for your own belongings. If you decide to bring an expensive piece of electronic equipment (mp3 player, video game player, etc) you must keep it in a safe place when you leave the area to warm up and wrestle.

6. Wrestle hard! Get out on the mat and compete. Work on the skills and techniques you learned in practice. This is a great way to improve. Win or lose - be a good sport!

7. Have Fun. Tournaments can be a lot of fun. Enjoy the day with teammates and family members.

2009 - 2010 Season - Let's Get Started!

2009-11-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome back for another great season. The club is excited to get started, and pick up where last year's rather successful campaign left off ... our first practice is Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the Wrestling Room at NCHS beginning at 6pm SHARP!

The complete practice schedule is shown on the Calendar, which you can find on the club's website.

We've also begun entering tournament information onto the calendar. The month of December is complete with two rookie events on the calendar. These events are for 1st and 2nd year wrestlers only, and the Naperville Wrestling Club will not knowing allow a more experienced wrestler to participate in these "beginner" events. Doing so jeopardizes the eligibility of all other NWC wrestlers at the event and harms the club's reputation.

Over the next few weeks tournament entry forms will be made available before and after practices. Select the events you wish to attend, include payment and return them as soon as possible.

If you ever have ANY questions just ask a coach or one of our parent coordinators. There are plenty of people with enough experience that we can probably answer your questions right away.

We are still accepting registration - if you know anyone who wants to wrestle get them to a practice as soon as possible. The Registration packet is posted on the website.

Season Ends on a Big Up Note!!

2009-03-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

The Naperville Wrestling Club sent 3 wrestlers to the 2009 IKWF State Tournament. Luke Roth, Graham Novak and Louie Gionvanetti proudly represented the Panthers, and wrestled in Rockford the same way they wrestled all year ... with guts, effort and class.

Graham & Louie were knocked out of the medal chase, but Luke Roth climbed his way through the wrestle backs to capture 7th place!! It was a memorable weekend.

Louie and Graham will be back next season, anxious to return to Rockford along with a number of their teammates. The 2008 - 2009 season was one of great strides; coaching, leadership, parent support, wrestler development, individual character and sportsmanship were areas in which the club saw tremendous gains. There are many Panther wrestler who should set their sites on Rockford for 2010.

Although the season just ended many of us are ready for next November.

The next big event is the season-ending Banquet. See details on the Calendar, and be sure to RSVP to Joanne Weaver. The Banquet is always a fun time.

Thanks for a great season!

Panthers Send Three to IKWF State

2009-03-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

What an exciting past few weeks. The Naperville Wrestling Club is proud of the 3 team members who earned trips to the State Championship Tournament in Rockford, IL, March 13 - 14.

Luke Roth, Louie Giovanetti and Graham Novak qualified for the State Tournament based on their performances at the Sectional Tournament on March 7. You can follow their progress at www.trackwrestling.com - just select IKWF State Tournament from the list of events on the home page and click on "enter."

In addition to these three young men, the coaching staff would like to congratulate all the Panthers who competed in the State Series over the past two weeks. We could not be more proud of the effort, intensity and sportsmanship displayed by our club members. Also to be recognized are all the parents who stepped forward this past season to volunteer their time and talents in so many different ways. This club is poised to take a giant step forward!

The annual post-season Banquet will take place on March 25th. If you have not yet RSVP'd please do so as soon as possible.

Coach Rob Porter has started his Spring/Summer training for Freestyle & Greco Roman wrestling. More information is available on the web site.

The coaches are considering the addition of a one-night-per-week session during which wrestlers can come to work out and continue their training. An announcement on details should be forthcoming in the very near future.

Also, watch the web site for information about Summer Camps & Clinics. Summer is a great time to learn new technique and sharpen your skills.

Great Showing in Danville!!

2009-02-16T13:19:00.000-08:00

The club's annual road trip to down I-57/I-74 was a tremendous success and a whole lot of fun. From fun in the pool to plenty of laughs in the "hospitality suite," the wrestlers and parents had a great time getting to know each other. Dinner plans got a little messy, but improvisation on the fly and everyone seemed to enjoy the time together.

Sunday started with a "bang" as our very own Coach Anthony Cesaretti wowed the the crowd with his singing of Our National Anthem. The boys seemed to feed off the excitement as the team posted the most 1st Round wins at this event in several years. We had several brackets that included multiple Panthers; the boys, despited having to wrestle each other in many cases, had great showings and a whole lot of "hardware" made the trip back north.

Now we must look forward. After our last regular season event at Conant High School on 2/22 the team will begin preparations for the IKWF State Series. Our Regional Tournament will take place on Sunday, March 1, at Elgin High School. The top 6 finishers in each bracket (Midgets, Novice & Seniors) will advance to Sectionals, March 7, at East Aurora High School. From there, the top 3 in each Novice & Senior Division bracket advance to the State Championship Tournament in Rockford, IL, on March 12, 13 & 14.

Those planning to wrestle at Regionals should plan to attend as many practices as possible, and be prepared to put in some hard work. Your goals should include a trip to Rockford, and to achieve that you must put in the effort. The coaches and parents are here to support the wrestlers, we'll do what we can to get the athletes ready, but a competitor must he prepared and that preparation relies heavily on their willingness to put in the time and effort.

There's been great growth and development, both as a club and by so many individuals. We're confident that development and success will continue over the final month of the season.

Half-Way Point

2009-01-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

Well, maybe we're a little further than half-way ... but the wrestlers are making terrific progress. Several more experienced wrestlers have turned in great performances, and all the younger/newer team members are making great progress in their technique and development. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Now, just a few notes to bring wrestlers and parents up to date with the latest club events.

1. Tournament Fee Payment Envelopes are now available. See Alex Kuhel at practice to obtain an envelop to help expedite payment for the final 3 (or 4 including Midget State) events of the season.
* Danville Spartan Rumble (2/15, Danville, IL): $20 - Entry form is on the web site.
* Cougar Classic (2/22, Conant H.S.): $15
* IKWF Regionals (3/1, TBA): $12 - Midget, Novice & Senior wrestlers who finish in the Top 6 advance to the Sectional Tournament (3/7, East Aurora H.S.). Novice & Senior div. wrestlers finishing in the Top 3 of their bracket advance to the IKWF State Tournament (3/12, 13 & 14, Rockford, IL).
* Midget State (3/20-22, Danville, IL) ALL wrestlers age 8, 9 & 10 are eligible to compete.

2. The Panthers will host 3 other teams in our room on Monday, Jan. 26, for a dual meet. We will match up wrestlers according to age, weight & yrs. exp. as best we can to provide competitors with a good experience. Please let the coaches know if you plan to attend. This is a good opportunity for inexperienced wrestles to gain good match experience.

3. Please do your best to attend as many practices as your schedule permits. Remember, Black Team members are asked to attend either Wed. or Sat. practice IN ADDITION to the regular Tues. & Thurs. practices.

4. The Pantherwear order will be placed on Jan. 28th. There are few new items & a NEW order form is available on the web site.

5. Lastly, the first-edition Naperville Panthers Wrestling window decals are now available for only $5. Please support the club and purchase a decal for your home or car.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to speak with any member of the coaching staff and we will do our best to help you.

Keep Up The Good Work!

2008-12-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

Through seven weeks of practice and two tournaments we've seen a great deal of effort and improvement from everyone on the team. We're very proud of what you have accomplished so far.

The coaches just want to remind all the wrestlers that now is not the time to become satisfied. This is the time to demand more from yourself. Work harder in practice and work harder during competition; when you walk off the mat know that you've just given 100%!

The holidays will require us to cut a few practices from the schedule please do your best to attend the practices that will be held. Use these practices to refine the skills you've already learned, and add a few new skills to your arsenal for later in the season.

Thanks to all the parents who have been so diligent about bringing their children to practices, shuttling them to tournaments and enduring long days in the bleachers. We appreciate your efforts.

A very special thank you to all the parents who have stepped forward to assist with clothing orders, tournament registration, organization of the Panthers Duals on 12/28 and all the activities and events that will occur that day. The Club is nothing without strong support of parents - so again, THANK YOU!

Lastly - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

IMPORTANT DATES!

2008-11-17T09:10:00.000-08:00

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
Registration for the first 3 weekends of tournament must be complete by this Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 7:45pm - No Exceptions. Envelopes are available in the main wrestling room this week.

Date Price Event Name Location
12/07/08 $16.00 Little Spartan Open @ Romeoville HS
12/14/08 $15.00 MadDog Open @ Schaumburg HS
12/14/08 $15.00 Cougar Rookie Roundup @ Downers Grove South HS
12/21/08 $20.00 V-L Cougar Classic @ Glenbard North HS, Carol Stream
12/21/08 $15.00 4th Ann. Rookie Challnge @ Lincoln-Way Central HS, New Lenox
*The two Rookie Tournaments are open to first and second year wrestlers only*

PANTHERWEAR ORDERS:
In order to be guaranteed for Christmas Delivery, Panther Wear oders must be submitted by this Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 7:45pm -- No Exceptions. Order forms are available in the main wrestling room this week. There will be two other dates, later this season for supplemental orders.

UNIFORMS
Uniforms will be issues tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at practice to all wrestlers who have written their deposit check. If your uniform does not fit, we will exchange before Thursday's team pictures.

PICTURE NIGHT
Individual and Team Photos will be taken in the main wrestling room on Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 6:00pm - 7:45pm. Please ensure your wrestler wears his/her singlet and team shirt to practice. Even if you are not interested in photos of your child, please attend for those families that enjoy the memory of a team photo.

LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION
If you have freiends that are interested in Naperville Wrestling Club, Registration for the 2008-2009 Naperville Panther Wrestling team will close at 7:00pm, Wednesday, November 19th, 2008.

After this date, only wrestlers with prior wrestling experience will be considered for membership.

No applications will be accepted after February 6th, 2009; this is the day prior to the IKWF eligibility cutoff for the 2008-2009 state series tournaments.

Parents' Scoring Clinic, Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 6:00pm - 6:45pm
I thought I knew wrestling when I joined the club 4 years ago, but in the 20 years I had been off the mat, many rules had changed! Over the last few years I have listened to "New Parents" asked many questions we should have had the foresight to answer in advance.

As a result, we are putting on this program - Naperville Wrestling Parents' Scoring Clinic to update people on the rules of IKWF Wrestling

* What to expect at Sunday tournaments (Mike Riordan)
- Tournament Registration
- Weigh-ins
- Bracketing
- The "Bull Pen"
- The Match(es)

* The anatomy of a wrestling match (Rob Porter); Includes;
- Duration and Starting Position(s) for all three period
- Point Scoring
- Potentially Dangerous Moves
- Illegal Moves
- Penalties
- Much more.....

* Keeping score of your wrestler’s matches (Mike Riordan)

One last announcement ...
IKWF Coaches Cards and Competitor cards with weigh in documents will be issued Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 6:00pm - 7:45pm at the scoring clinic and practice

BIG NEWS!!

2008-10-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

As was announced at the Parent Organizational Meeting, the Naperville Wrestling Club took steps over the summer to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. With this new designation comes increased opportunities and responsibilities. Copies of our By-Laws and Polices & Procedures are available upon request.

* First Practice is Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 7:45p. Only those wrestlers whose registration and payment is received by Oct. 30, 2008, are eligible to practice on that first night. We'll continue to accept registration until such a point where the club determines we can no longer adequately meet the needs of our members. Return your registration and payment as soon as possible so you can join us on the mat.

* We have a number of volunteer opportunities available for parents. From coaching to fund raising, stat keeping and others. We are reliant on the efforts of volunteers to keep our club operating at peak efficiency. If you have even a little time to spare please consider helping out in some capacity. Speak to any member of the coaching staff for more information.

* Check the web site regularly for news and updates. In addition to Email and the occasional phone message, the web site is a good way to stay current with club news.

We're looking forward to another great season. See you on the mat.

New Season is Just Around the Corner

2008-09-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

First - welcome back for another great season of wrestling. The coaching staff has done quite a bit of planning to get ready for a successful year, and we're looking forward to seeing all the parents at our Parents Meeting on Thursday, October 16, from 6 to 7:30 pm in the Cafeteria at Naperville Central High School.

There've been some substantial changes to the organization of the club - positive changes - of which we're excited to inform you. Please make every effort to attend.

The team's FIRST PRACTICE will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 7:45 pm. We're looking forward to seeing everyone back on the mat, but please come ready to work.

Early details are available on the Registration page of the club's web site, but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

We hope you all had a great summer and are enjoying the Autumn. After Fall, the next season is Wrestling!

Freestyle & Greco

2008-03-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

Just a few weeks into the spring season and the practice room at Naperville Central is buzzing with activity as Coach Rob Porter leads instruction and training of Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Attendance has been high - with wrestlers from Naperville Central High School, the NWC Panthers and other area clubs and schools gathering to continue their training.

Several wrestlers participated in events and the extra training is paying off. We've added an link to a very comprehensive schedule of off-season events on the REGISTRATION page of the web site. Look it over and find the event(s) that fit your schedule.

Keep checking the web site for news, updates and off-season results.

The End ... and A New Beginning

2008-03-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

The IKWF season came to a close on Saturday at East Aurora High School. Unfortunately, the Panthers were unable to qualify any wrestlers for the State Tournament out of this very competitive Sectional. A wise man said you can not judge the success of the season solely on the number of kids who go down state; and yet another said you have to look at all the kids and see the individual progress they made and successes they achieved throughout the year.

In that regard, it was a good year for the Panthers as we watched many kids in every division grow and improve from Day 1. We are proud of all those who showed up and worked hard all season long. Best wishes also to all our 8th graders who now have high school and IHSA wrestling to look forward to.

And now for the new beginning ... Coach Rob Porter is leading practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays for instruction in the International styles of wrestling - freestyle and Greco-Roman. Details can be found on the REGISTRATION page of the web site and the practice schedule is included on our CALENDAR.

Instruction and Training in these two disciplines is known to improve a wrestler's technique, and contribute to ongoing success. We encourage all wrestlers to participate in Freestyle and/or Greco-Roman training, as well as participate in a tournament or two. Naperville Central is hosting two events at the end of March.

Be sure to RSVP for the banquet, and please make plans to return all uniforms, shoes and headgear you received from the Club.

Thanks for a great season. The coaches are already brainstorming ways to make next year an even greater success.

Report from Regionals

2008-02-24T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Naperville Wrestling Club Panthers took over 30 wrestlers to the Regional Tournament on Feb. 24th at York High School. It proved to be a long day, but we saw some great performances from several boys. TWENTY boys qualified for the Sectional Tournament next Saturday at East Aurora High School ... Great Job!

The curse of York High School? - For the second time in as many trips one of our guys suffered a season-ending injury while wrestling at York High School. While fighting during his semi-final match, one of our Novice Division wrestlers suffered what appeared to be a dislocated elbow, which required emergency transport. We don't know the extent of the injury, but we all wish Hunter a speedy and complete recovery.

End of the Year Banquet - Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 20th. If you have questions about the event please contact Tara Hunt at gtc_hunt@yahoo.com - It's going to be a great time.

Good-bye Coach Dan!
By now it is fairly common knowledge that the O'Brien family has relocated to Iowa. They've made the trip back for Danville and Regionals, and hope to come back for the Banquet. We were lucky to have Dan and his family as part of the program and wish them all a great life and continued success in Iowa.
Take care O'Briens ... and keep in touch!

State Series

2008-02-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

The Panthers competed in their final open tournament of the year in Danville last weekend. The wrestling was tough, but many of our team members turned in good performances. Now everyone's attention should be focused on Sunday, Feb. 24th - IKWF Regional Tournament - everyone (all weights, all divisions) is welcome to participate, but you MUST PRE-REGISTER. Tots & Bantams can wrestle at Regionals, but this is their final event of the year.

Regionals is the first step in the State Series - the top 6 place winners in the Junior, Novice and Senior divisions will advance to Sectionals and get one step closer to qualifying for the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.

To prepare our wrestlers for this challenge the amount of live wrestling and the intensity level at practices will both increase significantly. Everyone should expect to work hard and come home exhausted - if not, they're not taking advantage of the opportunity placed before them.

Watch for news on the web site and arriving by email regarding spring & summer wrestling. This training focuses more on the international wrestling styles (freestyle & Greco-Roman), but is an excellent opportunity to develop new skills and techniques that can be used in every match.

Lastly, be sure to mark your calendar for the Wrestling Banquet - Thursday, March March 20, at the Holiday Inn Select, 1801 Naper Blvd. in Naperville. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. We hope everyone can make it. The Banquet Committee has done a fantastic job putting together this event.

Road Trip

2008-02-06T06:36:00.000-08:00

This coming weekend is the club's annual trip to Danville, Ill., for the Spartan Rumble. In addition to facing top quality competition, this weekend serves as an opportunity for the families to have a little fun together. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

* Our main hotel is the Fairfield Inn - Danville, 389 Lynch Dr., Danville

* Weigh-ins are at the Palmer Arena, 100 W. Main St., Danville, on Saturday, 2/9, from 5 - 8p, and on Sunday, 2/10, from 6:30 - 7:30a. Wrestling will begin by 9am, but could start earlier.

* Midget, Novice and Senior division wrestlers must make the weight submitted on their tournament entry form.

If you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to ask one of the coaches.

Last Sunday the team split in two. While our "rookies" attended the Rookie Rumble at Montini H.S., a group of our more experienced wrestlers took on some very tough competition at the Bears Bash, hosted by the Lemont Bears Wrestling Club. There were some outstanding performances, as noted on the RESULTS page of the web site.

If you noticed, the competition at the tournaments we attend has continued to increase in difficulty. We want our wrestlers ready to go when the State Series begins with the Regional Tournament on Sunday, Feb. 24th. We think this tournament schedule has prepared them for this challenge.

Tough Competitors and a Tough Break

2008-01-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

The Naperville Wrestling Club sent Panthers to two different tournaments this weekend seeking competition and experience ... and we got both.

About 18 Panthers went out to Minooka on Saturday to face some tough wrestlers from both near and far. Results will post on the web site very soon, but several boys had very good days in some very tough brackets. The competition continues to "ramp up" as we make our way to the Regional Tournament.

Over 30 Panthers attended a "rookie" event for 1st and 2nd year wrestlers at York High School in Elmhurst on Sunday. These events designed to give newer wrestlers a chance to compete against others of similar experience are a terrific concept. Several team members won some matches, brought home some hardware and gained very valuable mat experience. Great job ... and a special "thank you" to those coaches who handled the chaos of Sunday with grace.

Unfortunately all this good news comes with a bit of bad; one of our Senior division wrestlers suffered a broken arm during competition on Sunday. Although the extent of the injury is not known, he may be done for the season. We want to wish Andrew a speedy recovery!

Plenty of new pictures from Minooka are now on the web site, and we'll get results from both events posted by mid week.

Events next Sunday, Feb. 3, are the Bears Bash at Lemont High School and another Rookie event at Montini High School in Lombard. Check availability with Alex or Toni Kuhel.

Remember, Spartan Rumble registration forms & payment must by "in" by Jan. 29th.

Keep working hard in practice to achieve the desired results on the weekend.

Entering the "Home Stretch"

2008-01-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

With just three tournaments remaining on the schedule prior to the start of the State Series we've entered the part of the season where everything a wrestler has been taught should be like second nature out on the mat.

You should notice a change at practices as coaches focus more on "live" wrestling in an effort to ramp up intensity and aggressiveness in the wrestlers. At this point there should be very little instruction and "down time," and high levels of activity. All team members should come to practice ready to work.

Tournaments remaining on the schedule include:
* Minooka Little Indians Open, Jan. 26th, Minooka High School (Midget State Qualifier)
* Bears Bash, Feb. 3rd, Lemont High School
* Spartan Rumble, Palmer Arena - Danville, IL

If you want to compete in ANY of these events you MUST check with Alex or Toni Kuhel to see if spots are available.

The IKWF State Series begins on Saturday, Feb. 23rd, at Willowbrook High School. All wrestlers are welcome to compete, but you MUST PRE-REGISTER. Midget, Novice and Senior division wrestlers must declare their weight class in which they plan to compete. Ask a coach or check the IKWF web site (www.ikwf.org) for more information.

Remember to check your e-mail and the club web site for news updates and team information.

Facing Great Competition

2008-01-13T16:59:00.000-08:00

This past weekend the Panthers took part in the Little Huskies Open in Oak Park with several of the area's best teams. Our wrestlers matched up with some very talented opponents and many Panthers turned in great performances (see the RESULTS page). They should be proud.

We're also all very proud of the performance by our own Coach Anthony Cesaretti, who opened Sunday's event with an impressive singing of our National Anthem. The crowd loved it!

This tournament is an excellent gauge for the older wrestlers to know where they stand with just a few weeks to go until the Regional Tournament on Feb. 23rd. In addition to tournament wrestling it is important that your sons and daughters - no matter how old - attend practice with a positive attitude and a willingness to put in some hard work. The coaches will continue to teach and work with the team, but every wrestler has to be willing to put in the effort.

Remember ... a wrestler's performance (not necessarily wins and losses) in a match is directly proportional to the effort they put forth at practice.

Here's a summary of the remaining events on our schedule. If you are not registered for an event and wish to participate please speak with Alex or Toni Kuhel at practice about event registration payments and deadlines.

* Wed., Jan. 16th, Dungeon Duels - you must be pre-registered for this event.
* Sat., Jan. 26th, Minooka Little Indians Open - Minooka High School, Minooka, Ill.
* Sat., Jan. 27th, Jr. Dukes Rookie Rumble, York High School, Elmhurst, Ill.
* Sun., Feb. 3rd, Bears Bash, Lemont High School, Lemont, Ill.
* Sun., Feb. 10, Little Spartan Rumble, Palmer Arena, Danville, Ill.
* Sat., Feb. 23, IKWF Regionals, Willowbrook High School, Villa Park, Ill.
* Sat., Mar. 1st, IKWF Sectionals, location to be confirmed
* March 6 - 8, IKWF State Tournament (for Novice & Senior div.), Rockford MetroCentre
* March, 15 - 16, Midget State (for pre-qualified Midgets), Danville, Ill.

The CALENDAR on the web site is a good source of information for the various events, but if you have questions please don't hesitate to ask a coach.

Lastly, there remain opportunities for parents to get further involved with the club by taking on various duties. Send us an e-mail if you'd like to volunteer; we'd appreciate any help you can offer.

Playing Catch Up

2008-01-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

First, Happy New Year! I've been told this section of the Panthers' site is a little behind the times so this is an attempt to bring you up to speed with all the club happenings.

1. Thank you to all the parents, and NCHS coaches and wrestlers who made our "home" event on Dec. 30 flow so smoothly from start to finish. We could not have done it without you. We also want to thank our friends from the Little Huskies, Redhawk WC and St. Bedes for making the trip to compete. All the kids wrestled with heart and there were some great matches.

2. We just got back from the Medieval Classic at Lincoln-Way Central HS. Many team members turned in great performances. Some of the older boys finally showed us what we knew the could do, and many younger boys continued to display the technique and aggressiveness we love to watch. Keep up the great work. The RESULTS and PHOTOS sections are updated with the latest list of winners and event pictures.

3. Several parents have stepped forward to assume volunteer responsibilities that will help the coaches and the program. A big "thank you" goes out to them. If you'd like to help out check your email for the latest club newsletter or ask any coach after practice.

4. Please keep checking the web site for updates to the practice schedule and other information. In conjunction with the e-mail and voice mails from Coach Len, we try to keep Panthers wrestlers and parents as up to date as possible.

Panthers battle the competition at Yorkville

2007-12-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

There was a good amount of strong wrestling by everyone who competed at the Denny Hastert-Yorkville Invitational on Dec. 16th. Several young wrestlers continue to add to their collection of hardware, and some of the older wrestlers stepped up and "showed up." The coaches continue to be impressed by the everyone's competitiveness and desire to fight to the final whistle. Great job by everyone who attended.

We're going to continue working on the basics, while introducing new skills during each practice. Try to attend as many practices as you can to aid your development.

Last week we had five wrestlers qualify for the annual "Midget State Tournament" held Feb. 15 & 16 at Palmer Arena in Danville, IL. This event is a terrific opportunity for wrestlers to compete at a higher level and against some of the top wrestlers in their division.

So far Tony Biondo, Colin Bradley-Leon, Joey Gallardo, Brendan O'Brien and Joe Riordan are qualified - Congratulations, guys. There are still several qualifier events remaining on our schedule, we hope to field a good team for he Midget State experience.

Finally, be sure to check the CALENDAR for the holiday season practice schedule, AND watch for information/e-mails about our home event on Dec. 30th.

If you ever have questions don't hesitate to ask any coach.

A Great Showing at Braves Classic!

2007-12-09T15:35:00.001-08:00

The team participated in our 2nd tournament of the year at Waubonsie Valley HS, and the coaches continue to be impressed by the effort and competitiveness shown by the athletes. EVERYONE is really battling hard ... no one is quitting, and that is a great thing. Keep working hard at practice to eliminate the little mistakes and fine tune your technique.

Many wrestlers collected hardware for their efforts - we've attempted to list our place winners on the RESULTS page of the web site. Check the PHOTOS page each week for a photo album of shots taken at the events.

Several "new" wrestlers took advantage of a second event for rookies at Downers Grove South HS on Dec. 9th. As soon as we get those results we'll be sure to post them. Thanks to Coach Ron Wilke for leading that group.

A note about practice - there is a change to the practice schedule for the week of Dec. 10th. Full practices this week will take place on Tues., Dec. 11, and Wed., Dec. 12. A one-hour (6-7p) practice for Seniors, Novice and experienced Midgets will take place in the small room upstairs on Thursday. We're forced to make this change due to a home gymnastics meet at the high school. The club will send out an email to all parents with a few details.

Don't forget to order your Panther Wear - the new shirts, shorts, sweatshirts and other clothing with the team logo look great. You download a copy of the order form here: PANTHERS GEAR & CLOTHING ORDER FORM

First Tournament in the Books!

2007-12-02T16:43:00.000-08:00

About 50 wrestlers competed at the Neuqua Valley Invitational on Dec. 2nd! All the coaches were very happy with this representation ... especially the over 20 first-year wrestlers who took the mat for their first matches. Congratulations, you are now "real wrestlers." All the kids looked great in their matching t-shirts!

There were some very encouraging results ... and some things on which we need to continue working. Keep coming to practice, listen and work hard - it will pay off!

A special "thank you" to all the moms and dads who helped keep the wrestlers together, got them to the right place on time and helped the coaches remain somewhat organized amid the chaos that is a Sunday wrestling tournament.

As a way to recognize our wrestlers we're going to list place winers on the club's web site. Check the RESULTS page each week of an updated list.

ALSO - You can still order Panther Wear, just click on the order form and check out all the great club merchandise. Place an order by 12/7 to get delivery before Christmas!
PANTHERS GEAR & CLOTHING ORDER FORM

NEW!! Panthers Gear & Clothing!

2007-11-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

The Naperville Panthers Wrestling Club is very pleased to offer team members and parents the opportunity to show their team pride. Working with a local merchant who specializes in offering team clothing and merchandise, the club has put together a list of very cool items. Click on the order form and check out the available shirts, caps, bags and more.
PANTHERS GEAR & CLOTHING ORDER FORM

The T-shirts that wrestlers received after practice on Tuesday (11/6) are an example of this quality merchandise that's available. Use the order form to get sweatshirts, caps, bags, flannel pants, other workout clothes and more. Adults sizes are available for most items so parents can show their "Panthers Pride" throughout the season.

You can send your order to the email address provided on the top of the order form and bring payment to practice, or just bring a completed order form & a check to practice to submit your order. This stuff makes great Christmas gifts, but you'll need to submit your orders soon to ensure delivery in time for Christmas.

If you have any questions please ask a member of the coaching staff.

In The News

2007-10-25T13:52:00.001-07:00

Wrestlers and Parents,

We're sure everyone has seen or heard news of the very
serious Staph infections occurring at schools in and
around Naperville. While this is something to which
we must be concerned, there is no reason to panic.
The Athletic Department at Naperville Central High School
has reviewed and updated their practices for cleaning
the mats and managing sources of contamination.

HOWEVER, parental help is required to help prevent the spread.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.

*  Wrestlers should wear clean clothing to every practice.
*  Wrestlers should not share headgear, towels and other
personal items.
*  After each practice, the wrestlers should take a shower
(make sure they use soap).
*  Ensure cuts and wounds are covered to minimize the chance
that the bacteria enters the body.
*  However, because bandages can shift or dislodge with activity when wet,
wrestlers with DRAINING WOUNDS should not participate in practices.
*  Wrestlers that leave practice to use the restroom MUST wash
their hands BEFORE returning to the mat.
*  As you would with any infection, if you suspect Staph
has developed on your wrestler please visit your
primary care physician.

Please take a few minutes to discuss these practices
with your wrestler.

This link to the web site of the U.S. Center for Disease Control
is a good source of information.
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/

Additionally, The file we've provided here contains
additional information you can put into practice
to help combat infection.

BASIC HYGIENE TIPS

With everyone's cooperation and diligence we can reduce
the chances of infection in our wrestling room.
We encourage everyone to educate themselves on this matter.

The Season Draws Near

2007-09-21T08:13:00.001-07:00

Wrestlers and Parents,

The coaches met recently and are working to finalize plans for the 2007 - 08 season. General registration and season info is available on the Registration page of the club's web site, but here are a few items we want to bring your attention.

1. The registration fee includes participation in BOTH the winter Folkstyle AND spring Freestyle/Greco-Roman seasons. Spring wrestling is a great way to sharpen technique and have fun while doing so.

2. We're planning to provide EVERY wrestler with a club T-shirt as part of registration. It's our hope that wrestlers wear the club T-shirt to tournaments for a more "uniform" look among the teammates.

3. Because the athletes are growing constantly, the club will begin a "shoe exchange" program. If you have wrestling shoes that don't fit please bring them to practice so we can help a younger wrestler. Likewise, parents and wrestlers should ask to check our inventory if they need a pair of wrestling shoes for the season.

4. The club is purchasing a supply of jump ropes to help build agility, balance and endurance. Proper and frequent use of a jump rope is a proven method for improving these important factors in a wrestler's technique.

5. We're planning to supplement our tournament schedule with at least one and possibly two dual meets with other clubs from the area. This is designed to give every wrestler the opportunity to get a few competitive matches with someone of a like experience level.

6. In addition to qualifying Novice and Senior wrestlers for the IKWF State Tournament in Rockford, we're hoping to qualify and send a number of Midget division wrestlers to the Midget State Tournament in Danville. Several tournaments on the schedule serve as qualifier events for Midget State, which serves as an excellent experience for wrestlers who aspire to someday qualify for IKWF State.

That's all for now. We look forward to seeing everyone on November 1st.

2007 - 08 Season Update

2007-07-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

Wrestlers and Parents,

We hope you're all enjoying the summer. It's good to see so many familiar faces - along with a few new ones - at NCHS Wrestling Camp. Here's a brief update on the coming season:

FIRST PRACTICE: Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, in the Wrestling Room at NCHS. 6 p.m. SHARP - until 7:45 pm. During this time Coach Len Novak will lead the Parents Meeting/Registration Process in the auxiliary room (dance studio) upstairs from the Wrestling Room.

FEES: $120 per wrestler (includes uniform, USA Wrestling Card and IKWF tournament weigh-in cards). Because we purchased NEW uniforms (and will continue to do so as fund raising efforts permit) there will be a $75 uniform deposit. This will be returned at the end of the season.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Every Tuesday & Thursday at NCHS Wrestling Room - 6 - 7:45 p.m.

Beginning in January there will be a third practice on Wed. nights from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. This is an optional practice aimed at the older/more experienced wrestler to receive more "mat time" and "situational instruction." There'll be no teaching of fundamentals during the Wed. practice.

OTHER DETAILS TO FOLLOW:
Watch for more information and details to post later this summer. Also, we're planning a distribution (mail & e-mail) of registration material in early Fall. If you are new to the club and want to learn more about us please use the "contact us" link on this site to inquire.

That's all for now. We hope the remainder of your summer is great!

Naperville Wrestling Club Staff

SUMMER WRESTLING CAMP

2007-06-05T06:38:00.000-07:00

We hope everyone had a great spring and is looking forward to summer vacation.

Coach Rob Porter and his staff will host a great technique camp for wrestlers in grades 1 - 8 at Naperville Central High School, July 9 - 20 (M-F), from 4 to 6 p.m. This is a terrific opportunity to stay sharp and learn new moves from the staff of the 2007 IHSA Regional Champions.

Complete registration information is available on the Naperville Park District website. The Park District course ID no. for this program is 60920.

April 18, 2007

2007-04-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Naperville Central Summer Wrestling Camp- Coach Rob Porter and members of the NCHS staff and team host an excellent "technique camp" focusing on skills and mat strategy. The camp is teaches basics for beginning wrestlers, as well as advanced technique for more the more experienced wrestler.

Location: Naperville Central H.S. wrestling room

Dates: July 9, 2007 – July 20, 2007 (two weeks)

Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Monday-Friday’s

Registration: Naperville Park District - Resident Registration Lottery begins May 6

Greco/Freestyle practice takes place on Tuesdays & Thursday at Naperville Central H.S. beginning at 6 p.m. for 90 mins. Follow the link to see a complete schedule of Greco/Freestyle Events.