2017-2018 Registration

Fast approaching is the November 6th start date for wrestling here at Proviso West High School.

We are expecting a great turnout of participants this season, competitive wrestling and LOTS of fun throughout the winter. In order to make this a great season, early registration and completion of the following checklist is recommended.

• A current physical must be on file with the school nurse
• Online Registration must be completed
• Sports participation fee ($35) must be paid to the business office (waived if student has paid for a fall sport)
• Purchase wrestling shoes & headgear

Week 1 Results

Panthers saw action on the varsity level at the Prettyman-Moore Invitational hosted by Barrington High School on Nov. 25th & 26th. Leading the way was Jaleel Hollingsworth with a 4th place finish. Hollingsworth finished 5-2 over the two day tournament, preserving through pain and fatigue in the later rounds of Saturday.

Also picking up wins and scoring team points were Michael Bell (132) and Thomas McCants (145).
Several of the young guys got a great introduction to varsity level wrestling with good performances by Ivan Jaquez, Shayne Twyman and Rudolfo Hill.

In freshmen action...

The Panthers entered the Proviso East High School Invitational with no match experience on the roster and came away with a first place victory in the dual meet tournament. Notable wins by Jaylon Williams, Matt Blaho, Elijah Thornton, Tondeo Wilkerson, Jonathan Edwards, Alberto Diaz.

Great team contributions were turned in by Jose Zumaya, Alexis Azcatl, Daelin Hodges, Jamarish Garett, Tommy Zaraleta and Dalia Alvarez.

Kids Need Wrestling

Eight Reasons Why Your Kid Should Wrestle

In the next few months, many children will have the opportunity to participate in wrestling for the first time. Just like the kids, many parents will embrace the opportunity, while others will resist. Because of the timely life lessons wrestling teaches children, I urge everyone to seriously consider trying the sport, if only for one season.

Usually, those who resist wrestling are unfamiliar with the sport. Wrestling can be an intimidating sport, but it’s also one with great potential to develop young adults, both physically and mentally.

My own son resisted until seventh grade. “I don’t want to roll around with a bunch of sweaty guys,” he told me, echoing the popular mantra of basketball players everywhere. My wife, with her medical background, wasn’t very supportive either, citing the skin rashes she saw wrestlers bring to her clinic. I had wrestled in high school – I wasn’t very good, but I wrestled – and I knew what it could teach kids, so I persisted until both agreed to a one-year trial season.

That was four seasons ago – two in junior high, one on the junior varsity team and last year’s varsity season. In that time, he’s experienced extreme highs and extreme lows. There were times that he enjoyed wrestling almost as much as football, and there were times that he talked about quitting. There were dominating wins and puzzling losses, weeks when nothing could go wrong and weeks when everything went wrong. More important than all of that are the lessons that have helped him develop into the young man he is today.

1. There is no entitlement in wrestling. It doesn’t matter where you are ranked or whether or not your coach likes you, your value as a wrestler depends on your most recent performance on the mat. Last year, I watched a wrestler, who spent most of the season ranked #2, lose two tough matches in the district tournament and fail to qualify for the state tournament. He was a senior who had placed at the state tournament the previous year, but that and his ranking didn’t matter – only what happened on the mat. In a matter of minutes, his season was over. In wrestling, you must constantly earn what you get.
2. Wrestling teaches toughness. I got my first bloody nose in youth boxing at the age of 7, and never forgot it. At first, I wanted to cry and get out of the ring, but something deep inside me brought me back to the fight. Too many kids make it through childhood without a bloody nose. In wrestling, we have “blood time.” Wrestlers get their mouths smashed, their noses bloodied, their eyes blackened and their joints twisted. Wrestling teaches athletes how to work through pain and discomfort. Wrestling teaches toughness.
3. Wrestling teaches discipline. Because they have to make weight and need to be in superb shape to succeed, successful wrestlers maintain their bodies like finely tuned machines. Even away from practice and competition, they can’t forget that they are wrestlers. When their friends are feasting on fast food and sodas or staying up too late, wrestlers have to make decisions that will help them on the mat. They know that slipping on discipline will have negative consequences on the mat.
4. Wrestling instills confidence. It takes courage to walk out onto the mat. Once you overcome the fear of competition and the loneliness of being on the mat, everything else in life seems easier. Famous collegiate and Olympic wrestler Dan Gable says that 80% of wrestling matches are decided before the first whistle blows. “One competitor already knows he’s going to win, and the other knows he’s going to lose before either steps onto the mat,” he says. Once wrestlers develop confidence, they learn how to use it to give themselves a competitive edge.
5. Wrestling teaches self-reliance. Too many kids look outward for blame when they experience failure. When you are on the mat, no one is going to come save you. You have to decide how hard you are going to fight to win. If you fail, you have no one else to blame. You can’t blame your teammates, your coach’s play-calling or officiating. You win or lose on your own.
6. Wrestlers don’t go pro. Yes, I know that professional wrestling still exists, but very few wrestlers have professional aspirations. Contrast that with other popular sports. Many basketball, baseball and football players believe that they are going to make millions in professional sports, so much so that they plan for it at the expense of education and other preparation. Wrestlers are under no such illusions. They compete for the sake of competition, not fame or money.
7. Wrestlers come in all shapes and sizes. Height and weight are large factors for success in several popular sports, like basketball and football, but they don’t mean much in wrestling. Wrestling is a sport where small kids or heavy, but relatively short kids can be extremely successful. Where else can a scrawny 106-pound or short 250-pound kid win a state championship?
8. Wrestlers learn to respect their opponents. There is a lot of down time at wrestling events, and many wrestlers will compete against each other multiples times in one season. In that down time, they get to know each other, and will even cheer each other on. Not all of them are friends, but they all know what goes into a wrestling season, and they respect each other because of that shared sacrifice.

Even if your child never wins a match, he’ll learn a lot about himself and how he fits into the world. While it’s true the other sports can teach most of these lessons, the intensity of a wrestling season is hard to match. When you sign your child up for a wrestling season, you give them a competitive edge that will help them succeed in life. Don’t miss that opportunity.

https://mitcharnold.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/eight-reasons-why-your-kid-should-wrestle/

Summer Skills Camp

June 6th - 10th

Noon - 2 pm

Proviso West Wrestling team is offering a FREE skills camp for all Proviso Township students.

Camp will be hosted in the Proviso West wrestling room

We will be working on offensive skills in the neutral, top and referee's position.

Our emphasis is to teach wrestlers to score BIG!

Campers need to bring a water bottle, clean workout clothes, wrestling shoes and running shoes.

All skill levels are welcome to attend.
The purpose of this camp is to introduce to some and build on the skills of our community wrestlers.

Registration forms can be completed online here!

OR

Download the registration form by clicking here!

A signed waiver must be completed on the first day of attendance.

October Update

I'd like to congratulate all of Panther football players that finished the season strong! 

No one has ever received an award for stopping short of the finish line. 

Preseason activity has really picked up in the past week. We have seen an increase in preseason attendance that has doubled our daily numbers. Coaches and students are excited and eager to get going but we must assure to be doing things properly and in a timely manner. 

Just a few notes to remember in the early stage of our season:

·      Preseason activities continue Monday -Wednesday 3:45pm - 5:15pm  thru Nov. 4th 

·      Regular season training begins Nov. 9^th

·      Training times are Monday- Friday 3:45pm – 6pm; it is our desire to have all team members clear of the building by 6:20pm

·      Saturday practice times will be 8am – 12pm on Nov. 14^th & 21^st

·      All students are to be dropped off/ picked up at the south field house entrance doors facing the tennis courts.

·      All team members and managers are expected to participate in fundraising; your student may have already begun to bring this info home.

·      All students are expected to have a current physical on file with the nurse before they are allowed to practice.

·       Any student with asthma or other condition must have an inhaler provided to the coach to be kept in the first aid kit.

·      Required equipment:

 1. Wrestling shoes, can be purchased used at Play It Again Sports for $20 or less (new shoes range $25-$70)

2. Anti-bacterial soap ($5 and up)

3. Clean t-shirt, shorts, sweatpants & top/hoodie, gym shoes

4. A combination lock! Not to be shared with any other teammates

5. If your child has braces He/she must have mouth guard that protects upper and lower teeth ($20)

     

     ·      Mandatory Parent Meeting on 11/23/2015 at 6pm in the field house

September Update

Wow! It is Mid-October and a new wrestling season is approaching quickly!

First, I would like to introduce myself, Raimundo Howard, I am the new head coach of Proviso West High School wrestling team. I am truly humbled and excited to take on this position. I look forward to working with the student/athletes of this community, partnering with parents and staff, and creating a fun and exciting experience for our wrestlers. I accept the challenges that lay ahead with the mindset that we are conquerors and will move the Proviso West wrestling team on to statewide prominence. You may contact me about all things surrounding the wrestling program, your student/athlete or how you can assist us along the way. #PANTHERPRIDE

I will take a better picture soon

Secondly, preseason strength & conditioning is in full swing and we are seeing a good number of athletes attending daily. Preseason activities continue Monday - Wednesday 3:45 pm-4:45 pm until November 4th.
If you are interested, this is a great time to meet coaches, wrestlers and ask questions.

Jr. Panther wrestling begins November 17th

details coming soon! 

Lastly, Jaleel Hollingsworth (113 lbs) will be competing at the Cliff Keen Preseason Nationals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on October 24th & 25th. Nationally ranked competition from over 40 states is expected at this event; we wish Jaleel good health and look forward to him wrestling hard to bring home the GOLD!

Regular season wrestling begins November 9th

August Update - Preseason Preview

August has come and gone and the start of the school year is in full swing. 

Many of our Panthers are in football season and we wish them the best! 

Student/Athletes not actively participating in a fall sport may begin preseason activities. 

Bring exercise clothing, gym shoes, water bottle and a snack.

Preseason Strength & Conditioning Schedule

September 9th 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm 

September 16th 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

September 23rd 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

September 30th 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

October 5th 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

October 7th 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

October 14th 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

October 19th 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

October 21st 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

October 26th 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

October 28th 3:45 pm - 4:45pm

July Update

Finally summer has arrived to Chicago! As the mid-summer days heat up lets give a cool shout out to junior 113 pounder Jaleel Hollinsworth.

Jaleel has racked up over 50 matches and numerous victories against national competition this summer. As a place winner in several premier tournaments including 6th at USA Nationals, 3rd at Freestyle State, 2nd at Northern Plains Greco and 6th at Northern Plains Freestyle; Jaleel continues to sharpen and enhance his grappling skills. 

Check him out at Northern Plains (Cadet) against Adam Brown of Iowa https://youtu.be/xKE-2Autrq8

When asked what he likes most about summer competition Jaleel didn't hesitate to share, "Meeting wrestlers from everywhere. Going to big tournaments getting to show what you have been training for. Just competing."

Of course with much success Jaleel has had to make sacrifices. The most difficult part in his words is "Sacrificing going outside & hanging out, so I can go to practices. Waking up early in the summer for tournaments." This is not the way most teenagers expect to spend summer break. 

However, Jaleel understands the purpose for all of his dedication and hard work. "I hope to gain technique & preparing for this upcoming season. It's just getting me ready so I can perform in January/February."

2014-2015 Season Schedule

The full season schedule is now available here for download and printing.

2014-2015

Jr. Panther Wrestling

Season Schedule

Practice dates and times are subject to change.

·      Tuesday    November 18   6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday November 20   6:45pm – 7:45pm              Wrestling Room

·      Tuesday    November 25   6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  November 27   HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  NO PRACTICE

·      Tuesday    December 2      6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  December 4      6:45pm – 7:30pm             Wrestling Room

Potluck Dinner                    7:30pm - 8:30pm                 TBD

        

·      Tuesday    December 9      6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  December 11    6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Sunday     December 14    7am – 8am weigh-in         DG South HS

·      Tuesday    December 16    6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  December 18    6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Tuesday    December 23    TBD                                      Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  December 25    MERRY CHRISTMAS!      NO PRACTICE

·      Saturday   December 27    6am-7am  weigh-in         Addison Trail HS

·      Tuesday    December 30                                                 NO PRACTICE

·      Thursday  January 1          HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015! NO PRACTICE

·      Tuesday    January 6         6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  January 8         6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Sunday     January 11       6:30am – 8am weigh-in Waubonsie Valley

·      Tuesday    January 13        6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  January 15        6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Tuesday    January 20        TBD                                      Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  January 22        6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Sunday     January 25        6:30am – 8am weigh-in     OPRF HS

·      Tuesday    January 27        6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Thursday January 29        6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Sunday     February 1        6:30am – 8am weigh-in     York HS

·      Tuesday    February 3        6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Thursday February 5        6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Sunday     February 8        6:30am – 8am weigh-in     Proviso East HS

·      Tuesday    February 10     6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  February 12     6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Sunday     February 15     6:30am-8am weigh-in        Reavis HS

·      Tuesday    February 17     6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  February 19     6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Tuesday    February 24     6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Wednesday February 25  6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  February 26     6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Sunday     March 1             TBD                                      St. Laurence HS

·      Tuesday    March 3             6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Wednesday March 4          6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  March 5             6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Saturday   March 7             TBD                                      TBD

·      Monday    March 9             6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Tuesday    March 10           6:45pm – 7:45pm            Wrestling Room

·      Wednesday March 11       6:45pm – 7:45pm             Wrestling Room

·      Thursday  March 12-14     TBD                                      Rockford, IL

       

     Saturday   March 28           TBD  TEAM BANQUET       TBD 

2014 Jr. Panther Wrestling Club Registration is open!!!

Registration is now open for kids 8 – 14yrs old.

Registration forms can be viewed and printed from here

All youth must provide a copy of birth certificate and $120 registration fee with completed forms at time of sign-up. Registration fee may be split into two payments of $60.

Team Potluck and Parent Meeting will take place on Dec. 4th. 

Practice: 6:45pm - 7:45pm 

Tuesday & Thursday each week beginning 11/18/2014

Jr. Panther practice is held at:

Proviso West H.S.

4701 Harrison St.

Hillside, IL 60162

*Tournament competition begins 

12/14/2014 @ Downers Grove South High School

Wrestling is a great sport for developing mental toughness and physical awareness. Wrestling builds better athletes, students and people. It teaches self-defense skills and is the ultimate sport for highly competitive kids.

Our goal is to enhance your child’s self-esteem, self-control, self-awareness and the desire to achieve greatness. 

Jr. Panthers will train to compete at a high level, in all areas of life.

Jr. Panthers WC is a youth organization that teaches fundamental and advanced wrestling skills, WE reinforce positive character traits, and emphasize the importance of family. WE teach beginners as well as seasoned wrestlers how to move, think and live as a champion.

For more info contact:

Coach Howard (708) 369-1354 or propantherwc@gmail.com