Our registration for the 2024-25 season is now live and open, and our calendar is updated.

2024-25 season info:

Our season starts on Monday, November 4 for our Future Olympians group and Thursday, November 7 for our Developmental and Advanced groups.

Please read this page, as it contains important information about this season. If you have any questions, contact Head Coach Gary Walker at gwalker1974@hotmail.com.

Updates for the 2024-2025 Season:

• We are happy to announce that we are moving our practices to the York High School wrestling room.

• We have a few coaching additions:

Coach Tom Price, current York wrestling coach and Jefferson Elementary PE teacher, will take the reins of our Future Olympian group (Jefferson Elementary was recently awarded the National Blue Ribbon by the US Dept. of Education). Tom is a perfect fit for this very important role within the ETWA staff.  

Coach Steve Congenie, a former 2x state champion for Willowbrook High School, former Cornell University wrestler, and current paramedic for Morton Grove, will also join our staff this season. We are very excited that Coach Congenie will be teaching technique to our wrestlers and helping them develop in all facets of wrestling. Coach Walker coached Steve at Willowbrook and is beyond excited, knowing how our ETWA wrestlers will benefit tremendously.

Coach Lance Skinkys, current Elmhurst Eagles coach and former Fenton wrestler, will join our ranks this season. Coach Lance embodies the type of coach we want developing our wrestlers and we are excited that he will bring his passion for wrestling to our club.

________________________________________________________________________

We are entering our seventh season as a club and continue to offer three different age groups/practice groups. Please read the descriptions closely so your son or daughter is appropriately placed. And check out our “ETWA Philosophy” tab on the website. This helps to explain what we are all about.

All boys and girls are welcome. All experience levels are welcome.

Where do our club fees go? We pay for a mandatory USAW card per athlete, which insurance-wise covers our club and each athlete; all wrestlers receive an ETWA t-shirt and shorts. We purchased two brand new mats, and we pay rent to use York. 

Siblings get a 25% discount per registration after the initial registration.

Practices are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Every effort will be made to communicate any changes well in advance. 

Practices are closed to parents (except for our 3rd grade and under "Future Olympians")

_______________________________________________________________________

Age Groups/Practice Groups:

“ETWA Future Olympians” This group is capped at 50 wrestlers. 

-Grades 1st - 3rd

-Monday nights only, 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm (one Wednesday on Nov 20)

-For our select 3rd graders who are a bit more mature, coachable, and physically and technically able, we encourage them to sign up for and attend our “Developmental” group practices. If you are unsure, call Coach Walker at 773.383.7427.

-Season runs from November 4, 2024 - February 3, 2025

-The philosophy we take when running these practices is to have a ton of fun while teaching these very young athletes the fundamentals of wrestling, mainly from a games-based approach. This age group will NOT compete in tournaments.

-COST includes a mandatory USA Wrestling insurance card and an ETWA t-shirt/shorts combo: $295.00, plus SportsEngine registration fees.

-Due to this particular age group’s needs, we require that one parent per wrestler attend practices to pitch in corralling the kids during the warm-ups and during instructional time to help out Coach Price and the coaching staff so they can focus on teaching. No prior wrestling experience is required! You will enjoy helping your young son or daughter develop into an athlete and wrestler.

_______________________________________________________________

“ETWA Developmental Practices”

-Grades 4th - 6th

-Tuesdays & Thursdays, and optional Fridays (but strongly encouraged), see our calendar for practice times.

-Season runs from November 7, 2024 - February 18, 2025

-COST includes a mandatory USA Wrestling insurance card and an ETWA t-shirt/shorts combo: $510.00, plus SportsEngine registration fees. 

-The “Developmental” practices are for wrestlers who are new to the sport or who are still developing.

-This group will not attend tournaments, however they may compete in live practices with other local clubs who share our philosophy on development and dual meets (if they want) where/when our coaching staff is able to find them an opponent who matches their age, weight, and experience level. 

-For our select “Developmental” wrestlers who are able and interested, Friday night practices are optional for this group. See Coach Walker with any questions.

_________________________________________________________________

“ETWA Advanced Practices”

-Grades 5th - 8th

-Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays: see the calendar for dates &  times

-Season runs from November 7, 2024 thru the IKWF State Championships in mid-March

-COST includes a mandatory USA Wrestling insurance card and a ETWA t-shirt/shorts combo: $635.00, plus SportsEngine registration fees.

-The “Advanced” practices are for wrestlers who are experienced and are mentally and emotionally developed to handle this practice schedule.

-This group will attend tournaments (if they want to and if they are ready) and compete in dual meets throughout the season. The goal of this group is to develop into competitors who, by the end of the season, will be prepared to compete at Regionals, Sectionals, and State.  

-If your athlete is in 7th or 8th grade and they are beginners and/or still developing, we will partner them up appropriately and work with them separately during these practices.

________________________________________________________________________

Coaching Staff:

Rob Martinelli & Gary Walker (ETWA Head Coaches & Founders)

Ray Bruno

Tom Price

Steve Congenie

Nick Curcio

Lance Skinkys

Anju Maniar

Chris Conversa

Current Elmhurst University Wrestlers