Freestyle/Greco

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: 

The program will run from March 10th through May 7th; a total of 16 practices for wrestlers currently involved with a high school program and 10 total practices for wrestlers involved in the youth program. 

HS practices will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Chanhassen High School wresting room from March 10th through May 7th.  There will be no practices during spring break.  Youth wrestlers will begin practices (Tuesday - Thursday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm) on April 8th and run through May 8th. 

Each practice will combine elements of Greco and Freestyle

Costs are $180 for the HS sessions and $100 for the youth session.  

LEAD COACH: JOHN WECHTER

John wrestled for Michigan State University from 1998 - 2003 where he had 67 career wins and placed sixth in the Big10 tournament in 2002.  In Greco, John was the 2013 US National Champion, 2014 US world team alternate, a member of the US National team in 2014 and 2015 and a three time US Olympic trials qualifier.

ASSISTANT COACH: JARRED OFTEDAHL 

5x Junior National All-American...Oftedahl is three-time Fargo Junior National All-American in Freestlye and Greco and 2012 National Champion in Greco. In addition, he is a 2011 USA Wrestling National Champion in Folkstyle

ASSISTANT COACH: SEBAS SWIGGUM

Sebas is a 3x state placer and a State Champion from Apple Valley High School. He was also a 3x USAW Folkstyle All-American and a Cadet National Champion.

ASSISTANT COACH: PAT SMITH

Pat is a Stormhawk and Minnesota Gopher alum and a current member of the MN Storm wrestling club.  He is a 3x USA Greco Roman World Team Member, 8x National Team Member and currently an assistant coach at PINnacle Wrestling Club. 

YOUTH COACH: JOSH BERG

Josh is a 2012 Graduate of Pewaukee, WI High School where he was a four-time state qualifier and a one-time state place winner.  In his high school career, Josh amassed 156 career wins.  As a 2017 Graduate of St Cloud State, he was a five-year member of the wrestling team where he was team captain and member of two national championship teams. 

WHY FOCUS ON GRECO & FREESTYLE?

Technical Advantages:

• Expand your skillset: Freestyle and greco introduce new attacks, throws, and transitions unavailable in folkstyle. By learning these, you become a more unpredictable and versatile wrestler, forcing your folkstyle opponents to adapt.

• Sharpen your basics: Freestyle emphasizes explosive takedowns and quick scoring, while greco focuses on upper body throws and control. Practicing these styles refines your basic techniques like hand fighting, footwork, and balance, ultimately making you a more efficient wrestler in all styles.

• Elevate your mat awareness: Freestyle and greco have stricter out-of-bounds rules, forcing you to utilize the entire mat and develop a better sense of space and positioning. This awareness translates directly to folkstyle, where strategic mat use can be a game-changer.

Mental & Competitive Benefits:

• Increased mental toughness: Freestyle and greco tend to be faster-paced with quicker scoring changes. Training in these styles builds resilience and confidence in your ability to bounce back from adversity, a valuable trait in any style.

• Exposure to high-level competition: Many top folkstyle wrestlers compete in freestyle and greco tournaments, putting you up against a wider range of skilled opponents and challenging your abilities in new ways. This exposure sharpens your competitive edge and keeps you motivated.

• Gaining strategic insight: Studying different wrestling styles allows you to analyze opponent weaknesses and identify potential counters. This tactical knowledge empowers you to exploit your opponent's limitations and develop specific game plans for different types of wrestlers.

Overall Improvement:

• Become a more complete wrestler: By incorporating elements of freestyle and greco into your training, you become a well-rounded athlete with a diverse skillset. This makes you less predictable and more challenging to beat in any style.

• Boost your long-term potential: Cross-training in different styles strengthens your overall athleticism, flexibility, and endurance. This can lead to sustained improvement in your folkstyle performance and a brighter future in the sport.

Ultimately, having knowledge of greco and freestyle wrestling is an investment in your development as a folkstyle wrestler. It pushes your boundaries, sharpens your skills, and opens up new possibilities for success.