A-J Junior Wildcat Wrestling Club begins practice for new season Nov. 5

The A-J Junior Wildcats Wrestling Club officially kicked off its season Monday night, Nov. 5, with the club’s first practice.

Practice was held in the lower gymnasium at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School.

With just a month until the club’s first tournament weekend, there is much work to do but the Junior Wildcats’ coaches are optimistic about the season.

“We’re very athletic this year,” said head coach Grover Mays. “We’ve also signed up some older kids who look to be really tough.”

So far, the Junior Wildcats have 35 wrestlers, 29 boys and six girls, signed up, ranging in age from 4 to 13.  

Though practice has already started, Mays encourages others to sign up.

“Our signups were at Kids Fest but that got cut short because of lightning, so we may have missed a few new kids. We’d love to sign a few more up, especially in the 13 and 14 division to help build up the high school team,” Mays said.

“If your kids plan to wrestle or play football in high school, this is the best thing for you to have them doing right now to prepare themselves.”

Club president Rollie Hawk said he is hopeful not only for a successful season, but also for the chance to build youth and high school wrestling as a sport.

“This is one of the oldest sports around but there are still a lot of young people who have never seen a match. I’m confident that once they see what it’s all about, a lot of them are going to want to get involved with the sport,” Hawk said.

Hawk closed the first practice with a prayer expressing thanks for the wrestlers, parents and coaches and asked that they all stay healthy and show good sportsmanship in the coming season.  

The club’s first team tournament is scheduled Dec. 8 in Herrin.

The Junior Wildcats are scheduled to host their own tournament Jan. 11 at the high school.

Wrestlers on the Junior Wildcat roster include:

Trevor Treece, Noah Chotner, Kyle Conway, Tate Miller, Drew Sadler, Zoee Sadler, Milam Smith, Jonah Watkins, Kane Buchmeier, Nile Chotner, Edward Dahmer, Thomas Macy,  Caleb Mays, Brett Smith.

Madi Hawk, Anthony Jimenez, Kaden Lincoln, Blake Mays, Braden Holtman, Laythan Holtman, Keegan Keller, Trent Mason, Adam Mays.

Bryce Bowers, Avery Goines, Jacy Mays, Dylan Smith, Conner Jerolds, Nathan Kisat, Dalton Seip, Tobie Treece, Aiden Jacobs, Alexa Macy, Catie Mays, Clayton Ramage.