Health & Fitness
Lincolnway Area Wrestlers To Benefit from New Youth Wrestling Club
New Youth Wrestling Club To Benefit Lincolnway Area Athletes
Providence High School proud to host the CELTIC ELITE YOUTH WRESTLING CLUB. The New Lenox based club has a group of the most experienced coaching staff in the State. Celtic Elite is a Non Profit Organization, sanctioned by the IKWF will have an open enrollment with an early online registration in September. Heading up the Varsity Coaching Staff is Ben Gerdes.
Celtic Elite groups wrestlers into 3 different age divisions. At each level there will be a coaching staff with remarkable coaching and wrestling experience. The first priority of each level is to not only teach wrestling fundamentals, but to also instill the highest level of sportsmanship on and off the mat. Enrollment is open to all boys 5-14 years old (K-8th Grade).
To name just a few of the Coaches credentials, Ben Gerdes, head coach, was the Head Coach at Mount Carmel High School as well as the Marian Catholic High School Assistant Wrestling Coach. He was also the Team Illinois Jr. National team coach. All of Ben’s coaching accolades came after he was a 4 time IHSA placer, with a record of 173-10, a Jr. National 2 time All American, Cadet National Champion, Jr. World Championship Placer, NJCAA National Champion and a NCAA Divisions 1 Qualifier.
Celtic Elite also prides it self on all of the Assistant Coaches. Including Joseph Brauer, Mike Stonitsch, Will McDermott, Pat Wheeler, David Murphy, Brent Emery, Michael Murphy, Bob Bernard, Ryan Cumbee, Zach Berman, Ken Gerdes, Tim Meagher, Mike Papes, Rick Compagna, and many more. The Assistant Coaches have an equally impressive coaching and wrestling background. Including a 3 time IHSA State Placer, 3 time Freestyle High School All American, Marist High School Assistant Coach, IHSA Official, 4 time IHSA State Qualifier, 2 Time IHSA State Qualifier, Freestyle State Champion, Assistant Coach at Providence Catholic High School, Head Coach at Marmion Academy, and a Head Coach at Herscher High School.
The youngest level is the Little Guys. This is boys age 5-8 and will have practice1night a week and on Saturdays. At this level the coaching staff will focus on the basic fundamentals in addition to getting the kids to enjoy the sports and exercise. Next is the Junior Varsity level. These boys age 7-11 have some previous experience on the mat. JV will practice 2 nights a week and Saturdays. At this level there will be more of a focus on being a competitor through hard work, knowledge of the sport, and more advanced technique. Finally the Varsity level. This is for boys age 11-14 that have wrestling experience or are old enough to pick up quick on the sport. The Varsity level will practice 3 weeknights and Saturdays. At this level, the coaches will focus on on getting our athletes prepared for the IKWF State tournament, but more importantly preparing them for high school wrestling and football. Overall, we want our wrestlers to be the best in character, the best in the classroom, and the best athletes possible.
Celtic Elite Wrestling Club sets high expectations on our student athletes. We require them to work hard at academics first. We have an honor role program that students enter and athletes need to be in good academic standing to participate in our club. Being a non for profit, Celtic Elite Wrestling Clubs goals are different than most wrestling clubs and youth athletics on a whole, with a vision that includes working collaboratively with families and community members to assist excellent young athletes in reaching their highest potential in the areas of Character, Academics, and Athletic Achievement. We have a promise to always be transparent with our parents in regards to how 100% of our money is spent on developing our athletes. All coaches are volunteers and there is no politics in this club. Every wrestler gets an equal chance to compete in all tournaments, and every wrestler has a chance to win a spot on the starting dual team frequently. This is both an individual and team sport, but the best individuals are developed through a healthy team atmosphere that you will find at the Celtic Elite Wrestling Club
Celtic Elite will have an open enrollment available both online and a face to face registration on Saturday September 22, and Saturday October 20, 2012 from 9AM-1PM, at Providence Catholic High School (North Entrance). For information on enrollment, or any questions, please visit the Celtic Elite Website: www.celticelite.org
