Just got a call from a good friend in Ulysses Kansas that is starting up a kids wrestling program. They have a place to practice but need a mat. Anyone with any ideas or knowledge of where this club can get a mat donated, or purchased for a reasonable amount please let me know so I can get in touch with them.

Doesn't Ulysses already have a club?

Grant County Wrestling Club has changed its name to the Ulysses Tigers Wrestling Club. We have been informed that a second club is being organized in Ulysses, although nothing has been chartered thus far. It is this new club that is looking for wrestling mats.

Thanks Richard, I know they already have a place to practice so I can pass along the information.

Mike,

I know of several mats that are just sitting because the high school has dropped there program. They are at Oklahoma Union High School in South Coffeyville Oklahoma. Here is the address and phone number for the school. I am not sure who you need to talk to, but it is a starting point.

OKLAHOMA UNION HS
INTERSCECTION OF HWY 169 & 10
S COFFEYVILLE, OK 74072
918-255-6551

I have had some phone calls from confused people on the club names and the orginization of the clubs. I will try to clarify this.
Grant County Recreation Commission = Grant County Wrestling Club which is now Ulysses Tigers Wrestling Club. Ulysses Tigers Wrestling Club (Run by the Grant County Recreation Commission) has hired local wrestler Juan Heridia (HS All-American) as the new head coach and Ernest Hernandez (formerly of Hugoton Wrestling Club) as the assistant. The former Coach, Alex DeLeon, is the individual trying to organize the new club in Ulysses. If you have any questions please feel free to email me. I want to state that the Grant County Recreation Commisssion director, Brent Walker, and the Board are committed to the long term commitment of the Ulysses Tigers Wrestling Club, for beginners and also the advanced wrestlers.
jwood@pld.com
Jason Wood

Thank you Jason for clearing that up. That is what I had feared when I saw that another club had formed. Particularly in the smaller communities, I hate to see clubs divided. To my way of thinking it is seldom healthy for the team when the kids get to high school, but what else can you do.

I disagree with you on this one sportsfan. The reason I say this is because I have seen situations all over the state where one head coach runs a club and because of that some kids never make it to high school. They get burnt out or mad at the coach and just quit. Most parents are willing to drive to another city to practice with another club so the kid ends up out. But if you are in a city where two clubs may be beneficial I don't see the problem. Just some food for thought, but I understand where you are coming from.

Hello friends!

I was the one who asked Mike about a mat for the new Ulysses wrestling club. The formation of the club is in process. To my knowledge its formation doesn't come out of a rift between anyone in particular. However, many of the younger wrestlers who began under coach Alex asked him to start a new club because they appreciated his love for the kids. And because so many approached him is why the second club is being established in Ulysses. The name of the club is Ulysses Kids Wrestling (UKW).

From an objective point of view I think that the primary reason for this happening may have more to do with a lack of continuity and communication between the wrestling families and the Grant County Rec organization. I think that one thing that could help that organization is regular meetings with parents to keep them appraised of what is going on, and to acknowledge the achievements of its wrestlers. Everyone knows how much of an investment it is for the parents and how important parental involvement is in this sport. GCRC would do well to develop this part of its program.

At last week's meeting of UKW there was a unanimous attitude expressed about the Rec Club. And that was one of support and appreciation. UKW will cheer on each of the kids from Ulysses regardless of which club they are in. We don't see it as a rivalry, but hopefully at some point viewed as a partnership to build championship programs of the Middle School and UHS.

As for needing a mat, we have a couple leads that we're pursuing at this time. Our hope is to begin practicing as soon as possible. However, if you know of mats that may be available. Please don't hesitate to let us know.

Sincerely,

Nate Gift