Wrestling

• We are part of the Colorado Springs South Metro League. Our 2024 season begins September 23 and concludes with the Colorado Springs South Metro League Tournament on November 9.

WHO CAN WRESTLE?

• Anyone! Boys and girls grades 6-8 are eligible to join the team.

WHAT DO I NEED?

• All wrestlers need a valid physical form less than one year old in order to participate. Forms are available in the front office.
• Janitell provides: Team warm-ups/sweats, singlet, headgear
  • Wrestlers are responsible for keeping track of and cleaning their gear.
  • All team-issued gear must be returned at the end of the season.
• For practice: Gym shorts, t-shirt, and wrestling shoes (Talk to a coach if the cost of wrestling shoes is an issue. We may be able to help you find a pair of shoes to wear at no cost.)
  • If you have braces, you need a mouthguard that covers your braces completely. (must cover bottom braces if you have them)
  • Girls are required by NFHS rules to wear a sports bra and recommended to wear a black form-fitting athletic shirt under their singlet.

WHAT TIME IS PRACTICE?

• We practice immediately after school until 4:50.
• Wrestlers are expected to help set up mats beginning at 2:50.
• We end practice and clean up starting at 4:50.
• Rides should arrive at 5:00, and no later than 5:10.

CAN PARENTS WATCH PRACTICE?

• No, all practices are closed for safety and security reasons, and to eliminate distractions, but please come support us at a match!

CAN MY CHILD LEAVE AFTER THEIR MATCH?

• Wrestling is a team sport in which athletes compete individually. We expect all wrestlers to stay to support their teammates until the conclusion of the event. 
• Home matches- We also need to roll up and put away mats after matches. We cannot do this without many hands and it is unfair to the rest of the team for some individuals to leave early without helping.
• Away matches- You may take your child home once the team is done competing, but you must sign your wrestler out with a coach so he/she is accounted for.

WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED ON MATCH DAYS?

• A bag to keep gear in while it is not being worn
• Singlet
• Wrestling Shoes
• Headgear
• Team warm-ups
• Mouthguard (if he/she has braces)
• Knee pad (optional)

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD WILL HAVE A MATCH?

• Only varsity wrestlers are guaranteed a starting spot.
• If the other team does not have a wrestler at that weight class, he/she will receive a forfeit.
• JV wrestlers may have matches if the other team also has a JV wrestler at his/her weight class
• Unfortunately, we will not know this until shortly before wrestling starts the day of the match.

WHAT ARE THE WEIGHT CLASSES AND THE RULES ABOUT MAKING WEIGHT?

• Wrestlers compete in weight classes so they are only competing against opponents of similar size. Our middle school league consists of 21 weight classes ranging from 70 pounds to 285.
• We encourage wrestlers to compete at the weight class nearest to their natural weight to encourage healthy eating and discourage weight cutting.
• In order to win the varsity spot at a weight class, wrestlers must make the weight and defeat the other Janitell wrestlers at that weight class in a wrestle-off.
• Wrestlers are responsible for making the weight at which they earn the varsity spot.
• We will never tell a wrestler they have to “cut” weight
• We expect wrestlers to maintain the weight they have committed to with healthy eating and managing their weight responsibly
• Any concerns about maintaining a weight should be discussed with a coach instead of attempting unhealthy weight loss