by Jason Dean

Wrestling coach

The Orcas Island Wrestling Club has rolled out the mats again to start its ninth season of practice and competition under USA Wrestling.

The club team has been working to build a core group of wrestlers and is excited to see those returning and is welcoming any new athletes who would like to learn the sport of wrestling.

The Orcas Island Wrestling Club will be starting practice on Tuesday, Oct. 16 5 p.m. in the Tracy Strong Lodge at Camp Orkila. There will be information and forms to fill out, sign and discuss during the first couple practices and the club expects parents to stick around to complete them. The practices for the season will be held from 5:-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The team is planning to go to as many tournaments as possible. The tournaments will be held on weekends in various venues off island for those athletes interested in competing. Athletes accepted in the club are boys and girls age five years old and up. The club tries hard to make sure that athletes compete with others of similar age, weight and experience, so the more athletes involved the better.

The Orcas Island Wrestling Club is looking forward to continue building the program. The club’s goals this year are to build a larger core group of wrestlers, participate in more tournaments and above all, teach sportsmanship, discipline, mental toughness and camaraderie to all.

For more information about the club, call me Coach Jason Dean at (360) 376-2816 or Coach Rob Harvey at (360) 317-6050 or e-mail orcaswrestling@gmail.com.