Wawasee’s elementary program poses with the Team State trophy earned last season. (Photo provided)

SYRACUSE – Looking to continue its build for the future, Wawasee is forming a wrestling club for its up-and-comers.

Cost for the club is $65, which a T-shirt, instruction and a USA card, which the card is required to have for insurance purposes and participation in meets. Sign-ups begin Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. in the Wawasee wrestling room, which is located upstairs to the right of the Wawasee annex gym. To participate, wrestlers must be born in 2014 or before.

Those unable to attend the first sign-up may do so at any of the practices, which begin Oct. 30 and will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays through April. Practices are 6-7:30 p.m. each day in the wrestling room unless specified.

“We are very excited to get the season started,” said Wawasee head coach Frank Bumgardner. “We are building off the momentum we created last season with winning a elementary and high school Team State championships. Not only are we working to become better wrestlers, but we strive to teach every one of our wrestlers how to be Warrior Tough through dedication and hard work.

“We are continuing to build on the solid foundation we have established through new programs that address: wrestling techniques, and the proper mindset that it takes to be a winner both on and off the mat. We look forward to seeing everyone Tuesday evening in the room for registration and our first practice. If you are unable to attend that evening, please join us on Thursday to get started.”

Wawasee, which claimed a No. 1 state ranking along with a sectional and IHSWCA Team State championship last year, will enter this high school season with its hopes set high once again. The team will have a pair of home Super Duals in November and December, as well as dual matches with highly regarded Culver Academy and Penn and a Northern Lakes Conference dual with Concord.

For more information, contact Bumgardner at [email protected], club coach Erick Leffler at (815) 955-3396 or [email protected], or club president Cheryl Merchant at (574) 834-7171 or [email protected].