Ledyard Youth Wrestling

Ledyard Youth Wrestling Program, Ledyard Parks and Recreation

4 Blonders Blvd., Ledyard, CT 06339 (860) 464-9213

PURPOSE and GOALS of the PROGRAM

Colonel Ledyard Youth Wrestling Program goals are:

To build a good foundation for the continued wrestling into Junior High School

Make wrestling fun while mastering the basic skills of wrestling

For your child to continue to wrestle for years to come

COACHES and VOLUNTEERS

Coach Larry Duran hails from New Mexico. He attended both the University of New Mexico and Boise State. He participated in the junior Olympics, and won many state and national titles in the sport of wrestling. Coach Duran can be reached by phone at 381-5026, or by email jndald123@hotmail.com. Coach Jeremy Lauer hails from Wisconsin, and is beginning his third year coaching. He can be reached by phone at 464-8966, or by email at letsgoledyard@comcast.net. Nick Morales joins the team this year as one of our head coaches. He is a 2007 graduate of Ledyard High School and wrestled as a Ledyard Colonel. He is currently enrolled at Avery Point.

Other volunteer coaches include: Daric Johnson, Rick Mathis, Alan McGowan, Kale Kiely, Larry Thompson, Mike Sullivan, Ken Paulk, Jon Graziano, John Crawford, David Phelps, Rob Russak, Mike Burianek, Drew Ebdon, Mike Patsiga, and Bill Jones. ALSO JOINING US are Scott MacGregor, Mark Schultz, and Jay Congdon.

Colleen Lauer plays many roles. She will sign in and out singlets, headgear, and shoes. She also collects funds and registers wrestlers for weekend tournaments. If you have a question, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Coach Duran & Jennifer Duran 381-5026 * Coach Lauer & Colleen Lauer 464-8966

Cutting weight is not encouraged and is against our philosophy.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Practices are Monday and Thursday from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Practices begin November 26^th and run through February 21, 2008. Practices are held in the “Bomb Shelter” in the Ledyard High School basement.

Practices are cancelled whenever the High School does not have school, including early dismissal for weather. If there is no school, there is no practice.

It is our goal to focus on fun – so it’s okay to take a break and miss a practice.

UNIFORMS

The club has a limited number of Ledyard wrestling singlets. Priority is given to wrestlers that have in the past represented Ledyard in tournaments and dual meets and then to new wrestlers participating in tournaments. Singlets can be purchased for $35 or signed out by a parent. A fee of $35 will be charged for any singlet return in unusable condition or not returned at all. Failing to return singlets and not paying the fee results in not being eligible for team singlets the next season.

Always wash uniforms inside out and hang them to dry after each use.

There are a limited number of hand be down shoes that can be checked out. They are checked out on a first come first serve basis, by the parents of wrestlers. Those shoes not returned will result in a $20 charge for replacement costs. If you have wrestling shoes that are not being used, please consider donating them to us for other wrestlers.

Wrestling headgear is not mandatory but highly recommended.

CLUB MEETINGS

All wrestlers and their parents are members of the Colonel Wrestling Club. Parent participation is the key to the club’s success. All parents are encouraged to attend the general club meetings.

PRACTICE ITEMS

Wrestlers need to wear singlets or t-shirts with shorts without zippers, metal rivets, etc and wrestling shoes or socks. Street shoes or sneakers will not be allowed on the mats at any time. Water bottles are nice to have since there are is only one water fountain in the facility. Bring your headgear if you have it.

PRACTICE RULES

 The only area within the high school that wrestlers are allowed in is the wrestling room. Once practice begins, no wrestler shall leave the wrestling room without supervision of a club representative or that wrestler’s parent.

 Parents are allowed in the wrestling room during practice. Please keep conversation and distractions to a minimum. If you leave, please come back at least 10 minutes before the end of practice to be updated on any announcements.

 For parents wishing to help out on the mat, please contact one of the wrestling coaches. There is no experience necessary to volunteer. And you will be able to pick up the basics quickly.

 Please keep children not involved in wrestling off the mats and the large mats at the back of the wrestling room. Please supervise your non-wrestling children at all times, so we don’t have to.

 Wrestlers are expected to listen to all coaches at all times.

TOURNAMENTS

Tournaments are held on Sundays. Wrestlers are not required to attend and the decision to participate should be made by the wrestlers and parent. Participation is encouraged because it gives wrestlers the chance to try out their skills and grow as athletes.

In order to participate in tournaments, wrestlers must join USA Wrestling (USAW). Membership cards cost $35 for the first wrestler in the family and $30 for each after that. Cards are providing the wrestler with insurance during the event. An additional entry fee is charged per event. Typically the fee is $15 per child with a family cap of $25. Spectators must pay a $2 admission fee. If you hold a coaches/wrestlers card you are admitted free. Children under 12 are free.

Team coaches will be present at most tournaments; it will be announced ahead of time which tournaments the coaches will attend. Fees are due the Thursday before the tournament – cash or check. The club is obligated to pay the wrestler’s tournament registration once the wrestler sign up; therefore, fees will not be refunded after the Thursday practice prior to a tournament.

For parents wishing to coach their children, USAW requires you to purchase a coaching card for $35. The CT state tournament requires a USAW coaching certificate of at least the copper level. Parents interested in pursuing this certification should talk with the team coaches.

It is the responsibility of each parent to get their child to tournaments.

States for Midget, Novice and Middle School brackets will be held on March 2, 2008 at the Hartford Public Field House, Qualifiers for Novice division and Middle School will be held on February 24, 2008.

FUND RAISING

Any organization needs funds to work. At this time a specific fundraiser has not been chose. If you have any ideas, please contact Colleen at letsgoledyard@comcast.net.