To Interested Wrestling Families:

Wrestling season is just around the corner and FCA Force wrestling is excited to be launching its 4^th consecutive season for 2025-2026. Over the past four years we have seen the excitement and growth in our program from new families to more competitors on the weekends. This upcoming season, the program is looking to take the next step to continue its pursuit of building a committed and competent wrestlers!

We understand that the FCA Force wrestling program is a younger program but through consistency over that last several years, we have seen exceptional growth in our athletes and are seeing wrestlers being produced. Ultimately, the idea is to build up a strong generation of young men through the sport of wrestling. Wins right now are not the main goal, they are only a byproduct. It is a marathon and not a sprint, but if one is committed to the following goals, we believe hands will be raised along the way. Each year we gain significant ground.

The goals of the program are to create a passion for the sport of wrestling by understanding wrestling culture and embracing the work that it takes; to improve wrestling skills allowing athletes to be able to be competitive in matches, and then instill a physical and mental toughness in these young men through discipline and training from coaches looking to hold these young men accountable. We desire to create a room and environment that has the expectation that when you walk in the room and lace up your shoes, that these individuals are ready to work.

We believe that the sport of wrestling done correctly through the things previously stated will shape and mold your sons into respectable and admirable young men. Ultimately, we want to glorify God with what we do. By training these young men through the sport of wrestling, our hope is that we are good stewards of what God has given us, and the outcomes that are produced (discipline, mental toughness, hopefully some wins, etc) are glorifying to Him. 

The new and exciting update for the year is that Wheaton Academy got a new wrestling room. It is still located in the same building, but we are now at the top of the stairs in Heritage Fieldhouse. You can still enter in door number 6 or 8, but upon entering, head to the stairwell and go all the way to the top.

Pertinent Information

1.      Every wrestler needs to be registered with USAW (USA Wrestling). This allows wrestlers the ability to wrestle in tournaments and helps keep accountability in regard to ages. FCA Force wrestling is a certified club with USA wrestling which provides added protection.

a.      https://www.usawmembership.com/login

                                                              i.     You need to create a wrestling profile for your son and then follow instructions to complete age verification and club selection if you are new wrestler. If you are a returning wrestler, you just need to renew your membership.

                                                            ii.     The IKWF (Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation) is the association we wrestle with in Illinois and you send a copy of your son’s birth certificate to them for age verification.

                                                           iii.     It can take up to two weeks for verification to be completed by IKWF (where you will send a birth certificate). At a minimum, we would like the profile process to have been started by the first practice.

2.      Coaches are USAW certified, and background checked along with being SafeSport trained to ensure the safety of all that are in the room.

3.      We will practice 2 days a week (Monday and Wednesday/Thursday) from 5:45 to 7:15p in the Wheaton Academy wrestling room. There may be a third practice added for more experienced wrestlers. More details to follow. There may be changes periodically due to scheduling issues.

4.      We encourage all wrestlers to participate in a tournament or two, but it is not required (registration fee covers two tournaments). We understand that tournaments are primarily on Sunday, so we will try and be strategic in the ones we choose so that church will not be missed every Sunday. There are the occasional Saturday tournaments.

a.      Bigger tournaments sometimes have the ability to classify wrestlers based on experience

b.      There are some beginner tournaments potential opportunities

5.      Tournament schedule will be released soon

6.      Only coaches and wrestlers are allowed inside the wrestling room. Parents may stay and watch, but outside the room.

7.      The team fee for the year is $275 includes…

a.      Entry into our two tournaments (the cost for additional tournaments will squared away each week or if there is a tournament that requires individual signup through Trackwrestling)

b.      Singlet

c.      Shirt/Shorts

d.      Headband

8.      Wrestling shoes are required for practice and headgear is encouraged.

We are excited about this upcoming year a look forward to working with your sons for the next several months. Our first practice will be November 3^rd and our first opportunity to compete is Sunday December 7^th at the 2025 Mick Ruettiger Invitational at Neuqua Valley High School. This event is an individual signup through Track Wrestling so if you and your son are interested please use the link below to sign up. Registration for the event usually fills up by October. You will pay the tournament fee through the tournament website so if your son does only this tournament and one more, you will be reimbursed as your registration fee covers two tournaments. Most tournaments have the respective clubs pay for their athletes together. This is a little different.

If you have any questions, you can direct them to Justin Swider ([email protected]).