ISWA WRESTLING
News & Updates
January 2015
Happy New Year
To all our Clubs, Coaches and Wrestlers.
At the Start of the New Year,
Our Thoughts Turn Gratefully To Those Who Make Our Program Possible.
Because the dedication of those we serve is the foundation of our success,
the dawning of 2015 seems a great time to once again say thank you for your support
10 REASONS WHY KIDS SHOULD WRESTLE
Wrestling is a great sport that teaches athletes so many valuable lessons about
sports and life in general. Dan Gable, legendary University of Iowa coach, World, and
Olympic Champion; is quoted as saying “Once you have wrestled, everything else in life
is easy.”
I still think that life can continue to throw powerful punches and challenges,
however, I am in agreement that wrestling is a sport that teaches hard work and personal accountability. If one fails on the wrestling mat, there is no one else to blame but
the individual. It is hard to blame a coach or a teammate for a sub par performance,
and wrestling forces an individual to look inward to see what you’re really made of.
Here are my top ten reasons why kids should wrestle.
1. Wrestling develops basic athletic skills
2. Wrestling develops personal responsibility
3. Wrestling develops mental toughness
4. Wrestling teaches about nutrition and weight maintenance
5. Wrestling brings kids together and builds a strong camaraderie
6. Wrestling develops discipline
7. Wrestling brings different cultures and countries together
8. Wrestling teaches an individual how to focus on something and master it
9. Wrestling provides opportunities to further education
10. Wrestling is fun
Wrestling is such an amazing sport that provides youth an opportunity to learn things that will help them throughout their lifetime. It helps to develop strong minds and strong bodies. It helps youth to learn to set and work to achieve goals.
It is a great sport that I am very grateful to have competed in, and I am still very fortunate to be able to continue to coach
and pass along lessons that I have learned along the way.
If you are a wrestler that is still competing, I hope that you continue to do so and keep learning things. If you are a
parent of wrestlers, I hope that you continue to encourage them to work hard. If you don’t wrestle, I encourage you to give it
a try. Finally, if you are a parent of youth that don’t wrestle, I encourage you to encourage them to try out wrestling. Even if
they only do it for a short time, they will be forever changed.
DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR ELEMENTARY DUAL TEAM STATE FINALS
All entries must be received by Thursday, January 1, 2015
Entry into this event is based on a first come-first serve basis If you have questions, please contact
Jason Miller: ISWA Folkstyle Developmental Director
[email protected]
HOW TO PURCHASE A USA WRESTLING COMPETITOR’S MEMBERSHIP ON-LINE
Please….Please… when you have an opportunity, instruct parents and wrestlers who are going on-line to purchase a
Competitor’s membership to go to iswa.com or www.usawmembership.com. If you’re a new member please submit birth verification to the iswa via fax: (317)780-1885 or email a copy of a valid birth certificate to [email protected] to remove the pending
status on your new athletes card. Please note all records are shredded and deleted after verified.
DO NOT FORGET TO PRE-REGISTER FOR ISWA STATE FINAL EVENTS!
All 2015 ISWA State Final events require all wresters to register and pay online at www.trackwrestling.com or an increased
entry fee will be applied.
The deadlines to pre-register are as follows:
Pee-Wee/Bantam/Intermediate/Novice Folkstyle State
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Girl’s Folkstyle State
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Schoolboy/girl/Cadet/Junior/University/Senior/Veteran Folkstyle State
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Freestyle & Greco-Roman State Finals
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Women’s Freestyle State
Thursday, April 31, 2015
Pre-registration on trackwrestling will be closed at 11:59 pm on the dates listed above.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
If you have not sent in your 2014-2015 club membership dues and paperwork please do so ASAP! Remember if you are practicing and have not sent in your club application and fee you are not covered by liability insurance. Also, only current member
teams will be eligible to be entered in the team competition at ISWA state final events.
NEW FORMAT FOR TEAM COMPETITION AT 2015 STATE FINALS
Team competition is limited to 2014-2015 ISWA member clubs only! Small, Medium, Large and Academy Divisions. Custom
Plaques will be presented to the 1st – 2nd and 3rd place team in the club division—Academy - 1st Place Only
(Academies as defined by the ISWA Board of Directors) Teams must consist of 8 or more wrestlers in order to be considered for
team competition. Team points will be calculated using trackwrestling.
NEW: Folkstyle State team awards will be based on the results of both Kid’s and Schoolboy/Cadet/Junior state. They will no
longer be separated. Points will be awarded for both advancement and placement. Wrestlers must select their team from the club
dropdown menu when registering on trackwrestling. No changes will be made at the tournament.
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR COACHES
The ISWA strongly recommends that all head club coaches undergo a background check.
The ISWA requires a background check and coach’s membership for all Team Leaders and coach’s involved in Team
Indiana trips as well as a background check for those serving on the ISWA board of directors. However, it is impossible to monitor all club coaches.
The background check, through USA Wrestling, by TC Logic, gives our member clubs an opportunity to screen all
adults directly involved with our youth wrestlers. We urge you to make sure that your club coaches submit to a background
screening. The cost of a background check is $15.00 every two years.
JANUARY BOARD MEETING
The next meeting of the ISWA Board of Directors will be Feb. 8th, 2015
Location will be at the ISWA Office in Beech Grove
Happy New Year