Local youth interested in joining the growing number of youngsters participating in the Junior Jay Wrestling Club and who have not already done so can sign up at any practice.
Open for both boys and girls from kindergarten through eighth grade, the club is split between Beginners and Advanced. Beginners practice from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, with Advanced practicing Monday and Wednesday 7:30-8:30 p.m. All practices are held in the wrestling building west of Dewey Field after the conclusion of varsity sessions.
T.J. Maylum and Jeremy Atwell are working with the Beginners and Nick Field and Jay Nelson with the Advanced grapplers. Those wishing to volunteer and assist are encouraged to contact the coaches. Junior Jays who are between levels and who wish to do so may practice in both sessions each Monday and Wednesday.
Wrestlers are asked to bring t-shirts, shorts and wrestling shoes, as street shoes are not allowed on the mats. Youngsters can compete in socks if they do not have wrestling shoes.
K-1-2 wrestlers typically compete in t-shirts and shorts. Others should have wrestling shoes and a singlet. The color and/or brand of singlet or shoe does not matter.
Perry varsity head coach Mark Weber noted many high school wrestlers have come out for wrestling either for the first time or for the second time after many years of not wrestling.
Weber noted the many of the newcomers have realized or learned that participating in wrestling can help improve their abilities in other sports, particularly in soccer. The discipline, foot work, strength, competitiveness and toughness common in wrestling can lead to athletes out-playing the competition in other sports.
The Junior Jay Tournament will be held Dec. 16. The event will be for Beginners (two years or less experience) for K-6. The tourney will also feature a girls division for K-8 of all levels, the purpose being to match girls against girls. Sign-up is online or at any practice. Anyone with questions may contact Mark Weber at (319) 231-0967 or Mark.Weber@g.perry.k12.ia.us.
Families are encouraged to enter their wrestler in the home tourney and in at least three others. Parents must complete the entry form, pay the entry fee and provide transportation to any tourneys they attend. Coaches will announce in advance which tourneys they will attend and will be available to help your child.
Practices will continue through late January, with those wishing to compete in AAU and district tourneys practicing through mid February.
The Junior Jay coaches will happily accept any singlets or wrestling shoes your child may have outgrown.
