CLARKSTON WRESTLING CLUB 

2023-2024

Welcome to the Clarkston Wrestling Club! The coaching staff is pleased that you have decided to be a part of Clarkston Wrestling’s strong tradition. Here is an overview of what to expect for the year, and any information that we feel is pertinent and may answer the questions you may have!

I. Practice Outlines: 

1.      Schedule (all practices are held at Clarkston High School in the wrestling room)

• Monday & Wednesday 5:30PM – 6:30PM – Cubs Club (Non-Competitive)
• Monday & Wednesday 6:30PM – 8:00PM – Intermediate 2 (Competitive)
• Tuesday & Thursday 5:30PM – 6:30PM – Intermediate 1 (Non-Competitive)
• Tuesday & Thursday 6:30PM – 8:00PM – Advanced (Competitive)
• Friday 5:30PM – 7:00PM Advanced (Competitive)

2.      Group Divide:

• Cubs Club: K-1 + any beginner 2nd graders (Non-Competitive) runs 11/27/23-2/28/24
• Intermediate 1: 2-5 + any beginner 6th graders (Non-Competitive) runs 11/27/23-2/28/24
• Intermediate 2: 2-5 + any beginner 6th graders (Competitive) runs 11/27/23-3/24/24
• Advanced: 5-8 + any advanced 4th graders (Competitive) runs 11/27/23-3/24/24

Please Note**: It is up to the coaches’ discretion to move any wrestler to a different group. Special exceptions to move are not encouraged, but can be made on a case by case basis if necessary. Depending on the switch, additional payment or refunds may be requested/issued as MYWAY membership cards are not included in the non-competitive groups pricing structure.

Practice times vary during school breaks and are announced prior to the break. Due to coordination with the High School team and other tournaments, it is difficult to establish practice times in advance. For the 2023-2024 season, we had practice for the advanced/preseason/Sparty team on Tuesday 12/26/23 at 6:30-8, Wednesday 12/27/23 at 3-4:30, and practice for advanced/preseason groups AND wrestlers intending to wrestle at the next MYWAY tournament on Monday 1/2/24 and Tuesday 1/2/23 at 1-3 and Wednesday 1/3/23 and Friday 1/5/23 from 5:30-7:00. 

Due to inclement weather/school closures, practices will be canceled and this will be sent as an alert in TeamSnap. Further, due to special events, practices may also be canceled. This will also be communicated in Team Snap. Following the beginning on middle school practices, practice times are subject to change to best meet the needs of our wrestlers. Historically competitive groups were combined to ensure availability of practice partners.

3.      Expectations:

• Cubs Club:

1.      It is expected that your Cubs Club wrestler comes with a great attitude and be ready to learn! This group will learn the basics needed to build a wrestling foundation, as well as incorporating wrestling-based games and activities. This group is more fun, interactive and introductory to wrestling. Competition is not encouraged in this group. 

• Intermediate 1:

1.      This group is intended for wrestlers that are older than our Cubs Club members and are enjoying the sport but not yet ready (or interested) in competing. Wrestlers in their first or second year that are still new to the sport should plan on entering this group. We will learn basic techniques, start to learn how to drill, and incorporate goals with the sport. Competition is not encouraged in this group. 

• Intermediate 2:

1.      This group is for wrestlers with some experience and ready to build off of what they have learned last season in preparation for competition. It will incorporate different chains of techniques and drills. This group is where we start to encourage some competitions, but it is not required. Wrestlers will begin to learn discipline in the practice room, commit to goals, and learn how to compete. This will be a blend of fun, technique, drilling, and competition. Wrestlers may be asked to wrestle off to be on club dual teams.

• Advanced:

1.      The advanced club is for our wrestlers who are eager to compete regularly and level up their sport. Drilling, technique, and competition will be incorporated weekly. This is a high-paced practice with a lot of skill development. Wrestlers are expected to compete and be able to participate on our club dual teams when needed and available.

4.      Closed Door Policy:

• Our competitive groups, intermediate 2 and advanced clubs, will be practicing on a closed door policy. We will have our wrestlers and coaches in the room only to eliminate distractions, and allow our coaches to fully engage the athletes. If any parents have some experience wrestling and are interested in helping out, we will have a meeting to go over what is needed to get you involved. Reach out to the club president, Justin Lefevre, to get additional information (jrlcatch422@hotmail.com). 
• Our non-competitive Cubs Club and Intermediate 1 groups will still operate as an open door policy, and will allow parents to be a part of the practice as long as there are no distractions during instruction. Be aware that some athletes struggle to fully engage when their parents are present.  If this is the case please be open to a suggestion to limit the time spent in the room.

II. Competitions

1.      Competitions are encouraged based on your age, experience, and skill level. Our Cubs Club and Intermediate 1 will not be encouraged to compete unless it is specifically suggested by coaches. 

2.      Our club has elected to compete under the MYWAY organization in order to streamline the registration/scheduling process and avoid unnecessary confusion. The cost is typically $15-20 per tournament. Registration/payment is initiated by parents via Venmo (@clarkstonwrestlingclub) on Monday and wrestlers will weigh in Wednesday or Thursday of each week (at the end of their assigned practice) to decrease the likelihood that the tournament will be closed due to participant limits. We will provide detailed information through a QR code/link prior to each tournament.

III. Coaching

1.      Clarkston Wrestling Club is coached by several club, middle school, and high school coaches in the Clarkston organization. Here is a list of coaches that will be helping out the club this season (with expectations of adding more):

• Nate Troutvine, Jason Mester, Mark Francis, Jake Spiess, Joe Berden, Brian Gibbs, Josh DeNault, Aaron Turner, Dave Dolehanty, Brenton Place, Justin Lefevre and more!

We encourage you to reach out to our club board if you are interested in coaching. Please note that this is for parents interested in coaching the club rather than only their own wrestler. If you wish to coach in the room, a background check and fingerprints are required by Clarkston Community Ed. Please email clarkstonwrestlingclub@gmail.com with your full name, email, and best contact phone number.

If you want to coach on the floor at MYWAY tournaments, this is a different procedure run by the MYWAY organization. You can complete the steps through SportsEngine. This process is handled entirely independently from our club and requires completing online training and a background check.

2.      Tournaments:

• Since we are on the border, we have the option of being in the northeast or metro regions. As a club we elected to register with the Metro region. This doesn’t preclude us from competing in the northeast region, it just means that we will compete at the metro region for regionals and states. This region offers our wrestlers the best opportunity to make it to states as there are not as many elite clubs.
• Coaches will be attending tournaments that are on our club schedule below. If your wrestler wants to attend a different MYWAY tournament, we can help with the registration but know that coaching will be handled on your own. Please note that MYWAY requires a coach’s card with specific online training in order to be approved to coach on the floor.  In addition, if you wish to wrestle at an MMWA tournament, you will have to secure your own USA card and handle your own coaching and registration (Clarkston will not be affiliated, but we have connections with other clubs).  Be aware that wrestlers are not permitted to compete without a qualified coach on the mat.
• Metro considers “novice” to be 1st year wrestlers.  However, there is a process for waivers that is based on past record and includes several factors.  They want to ensure that the Novice division allows new wrestlers to have appropriate match ups to help build skill level.  If you athlete is excelling at the novice level (even as a first year), it may be encouraged that they wrestle the open division. Northeast deems that 2nd year wrestlers can compete at the novice level unless they are excelling.
• Exception: if your wrestler was born in 2017-2019 or 2009-2010, there is only open class.

III. Transportation: 

1.      Parents are expected to transport their child to tournaments. 

IV. What to Bring & What is Provided: 

1.      If your wrestler intends to compete at a MYWAY tournament, the club provides your wrestler’s MYWAY card if your wrestler is in one of the competitive groups. You will need to purchase a club singlet and headgear.  These will be available for purchase through coach Joe Berden (Player Prints). Information to follow. If you are in a non competitive group and wish to compete, the MYWAY membership card will be at your cost, unless you move into a competitive group.

2.      What to bring to practice: you will need to be in wrestling shoes (or socks, if absolutely necessary), shirt, athletic shorts (no zippers, belts, etc. that may ruin the mats). If you have braces you may consider a mouth guard for practice. Please bring a water bottle to each practice. A used shoe swap will take place during the third week of practice (December 11-15) if you would prefer to try to get a used pair. Please consider donating shoes and other gear that your wrestler has outgrown.  Donations can be accepted by the coaches at any of the practices. Also, you will want to purchase “Defense” soap to use after every practice.  This is especially important to prevent getting or spreading skin conditions common to wrestling. 

3.      What to bring to tournaments: You will be in charge of your own drinks and food. Water, granola bars, sandwiches, etc. are encouraged to be brought in your wrestler’s bag for personal consumption. Due to different start times, etc. it is tough to coordinate food tables. Food is available for purchase on site. It is also a good idea to pack nail clippers.

V. Concerns

1.      Brenton Place is our acting parent liaison. He will be your go-to point person for any concerns with your wrestler, the coaches, etc. Please reach out to him directly (765-617-1304) with any questions you may have. 

2.      We work diligently to provide the best environment for each athlete. It is hard to please every single person, so we ask that you have patience and understand that dealing with 130+ children is a tall task. At the end of the season, a survey will be sent out to gather information about your experience.  This is an excellent opportunity to partner with our club to continue to improve the experience for future years.  This information is thoroughly reviewed, analyzed and incorporated by the board.

3.      Please partner with us by talking to your wrestler(s) about their concerns about matchups, barriers to growth, or any other matter they may not feel comfortable addressing in the room.  Being a contact sport it is essential that we communicate in order to promote a safe and fun learning environment.

VI. Club Board

• President: Justin Lefevre
• VP: Joe Berden
• Secretary: Jennifer Place
• Events and Fundraising: Kayla Makki & Lindsey Chism
• Treasurer in Charge of Accounting: Sara Zak
• Registrar: Mike Redington

VII. Fundraising

1.      Wrestlers at all levels will be expected to sell $100 worth of raffle tickets by January 10, 2023. Further information to follow.  The drawing will be held on January 13, 2023 during the high school dual (need not be present to win).  If your wrestler exceeds this goal, they will have the opportunity to earn free gear.

2.      We host a golf outing in August each year and welcome your involvement.  This is a great opportunity to get to know other families, enjoy a round of golf, participate in a prize auction—all while benefiting the Clarkston Wrestling program.

VIII. Learning about the sport

If you are new to the sport and looking to become better acquainted with points and rules, the kick off intersquad dual will be a great opportunity to see a wrestling tournament in action. If you can’t make this event, we encourage watching wrestling videos or attending a local MYWAY tournament and connecting with other seasoned parents to better understand how it all works. If you think your wrestler will eventually compete, these resources are incredibly helpful:

Coach Krause

Referee Signals

Keith Pullman

Should your wrestler compete, you will need to learn how to utilize trackwrestling.com. This is a common system utilized at tournaments for posting brackets and recording results. Check out this trackwrestling.com tutorial for learning how to find your bracket and mat assignment.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the board or coaches if you have more questions.  We want to help you to come to love the sport and give your wrestler a great experience. 

IX. Volunteer opportunities

We are looking to try out having parents volunteer to provide additional supervision during practices.  This benefits our wrestlers and coaches in numerous ways.  It provides accountability to prevent horseplay outside of the wrestling room, and also provides another adult to help if there is an injury so that our coaches can continue coaching.  Sign up genius will be the primary tool we use to coordinate coverage. Please consider if this is something you would consider doing a handful of times during the season.

X. Payments

We intend to run as a cashless club, utilizing Venmo to ensure that funds are easily tracked and to promote accurate accounting.  If you do not use Venmo, please consider obtaining your own account (there is no charge to do so) or perhaps partner with another parent that you can give cash and they can Venmo on your behalf.  It is extremely important that Venmo memos provide adequate information to ensure that we can apply the funds appropriately.

XI. Communication

To prevent emails from getting “buried,” the board/coaches will be utilizing TeamSnap as the primary form of communication.  Once the registration process with Clarkston Community Ed is finalized, you will receive an invitation to team snap (if you aren’t on there already).  It is crucial that you accept this invitation and get the TeamSnap App to get up-to-the minute information.  This platform is not to be used for chit chat.  Instead, please redirect any club chatter to our private Facebook page. We want to honor your time and ensure that communication is clear and succinct.

XII. Glossary

Team Snap – App utilized for communicating within the club. Pertinent info (schedule, alerts, practice schedule, etc.) is posted here. Alerts and Posts are accessible under messages (not to be confused with Chat) and will be sent to you as an email in addition as they will often be referenced. We will also utilize group chats for families for specific competitions to prevent clogging up the team chat with information that is not pertinent to the entire club. If you are unable to access group chats, try updating the app and if that is ineffective, please uninstall and reinstall. We also will utilize the schedule as a tool for RSVPing for certain events. You may need to toggle between two accounts if you have more than one wrestler.

SportsEngine – this is the platform utilized by MYWAY for registering for competitions. This is only relevant to you if you intend to compete at a MYWAY tournament. This is where “MYWAY cards” (Wrestling memberships) are purchased for your wrestler prior to their first competition (managed and paid for by the club if you are signed up for a competitive group).

TrackWrestling – This is a 3rd party service that tournaments often utilize to post the brackets and track results. You will only need to use this if your wrestler competes. This platform is fully unrelated to Team Snap and SportsEngine.

Webpage – we have a webpage that we utilize to provide detailed information about the club, our events, tournament registration procedures, etc. A QR code will be posted in the wrestling room for easy access and that link is available in the alerts on Team Snap to allow you to access it. On this page you can access the tournament registration procedure and this club parent packet in addition to unique links for every event and tournament. Chances are if you have any questions AT ALL, it is covered on those pages.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 23-24 – please note* this includes all events for all four levels

(The finalized schedule is posted here and will be updated throughout the season.)

O-Open N-Novice HS-High School

Date	Region	Event	Location
11.27.23		First Day of Practice	CHS Wrestling Room
12.17.23	Northeast	Waterford O&N	Kettering High School
12.20.23	N/A	Intersquad Duals (KICKOFF)	Clarkston High School Gym
12.28.23	N/A	Christmas Sparty K-8	Lansing Center
01.07.24	Northeast	MI Revolution O&N	MI Revolution, Highland
TBD		Duals at the Den	MI Revolution
01.13.24		High School Dual (raffle drawing)	Clarkston High School
01.14.24	Metro	Henry Ford II O&N	Henry Ford II High School, Sterling Heights
01.21.24	Northeast	MI Revolution O&N	MI Revolution, Highland
01.28.24	Metro	Center Line O&N	Center Line High School
02.04.24	Metro	Hazel Park O&N	Hazel Park High School
02.11.24	Metro	Romeo O&N	Romeo Middle School
02.18.24	Northeast	Brighton O&N	Brighton High School
2.24-25.24	All	K-8 Team State Finals	Kalamazoo – Wings Event Center
02.25.24	Metro	Motor City O&N	Chippewa Valley High School
03.03.24	Metro	Almont O&N	Almont High School
03.10.24	Metro	MYWAY Regionals	TBD
03.16.24	Metro	Future Stars	Henry Ford II
3.21-24.24	All	MYWAY Individual Finals	Kalamazoo – Wings Event Center