YOUTH WRESTLING

Welcome to the 2024 - 2025 Fairbanks Panthers Youth Wrestling 

OUR PROGRAM

The Fairbanks Youth program is a member of the Central Ohio Buckeye Youth Wrestling Association, COBYWA, which is affiliated with OH-WAY. The COBYWA season consists of four league meets on consecutive Sundays beginning December 29, 2024. These meets typically last about four hours. Wrestlers are paired up based on age, weight, and experience. The North/South Championships will be held January 26, 2025 and the Year End Championship February 2, 2025. Qualifying wrestlers can then advance to Regions, State and National throughout the coming months. Additionally, wrestlers will have opportunities to compete in Open Tournaments after the COBYWA season ends in February.

WRESTLING  GEAR
Wrestlers are encouraged to wear the custom team singlet  (boys & girls) or team fighter shorts and compression shirt. Purchase for these items will be made available at the Parent's Meeting held on [TBD]. It is not required that these items are purchased, second hand donations are available, or other team colored items from Amazon could be purchased at a reduced cost. 

Wrestling shoes are required and can be purchased at Dicks Sporting Goods, Amazon, Play It Again Sports and other sporting goods stores. If you are unsure about sizing and are purchasing online, please feel free to ask and we may be able to locate a shoe to try one before ordering. Wrestling shoes are a tighter fit and narrow and can sometimes be tricky to size if you cannot try on in store. 

Headgear is optional at most open tournaments, however we would recommend it for your wrestler. Headgear is sometimes referred to as "ear guards"  because it has padded shells that go over the ears to help prevent ear and head injuries. Headgear should fit correctly and all the straps should be secured.

 Mouthguards are required at tournaments for wrestlers who have braces or other orthodontics. A popular option for orthodontics is Shock Doctor and can be located at Dicks Sporting Goods and Amazon. Mouthguards are a low-cost way to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue and can be used by any wrestler if they so choose.  

If families would like to not purchase new,  we have some  gear that is available for use. Each year families can donate their gear that no longer serves their wrestler and is available to be tried on and used. This can include singlets, the 2 pieces uniforms, hoodies, t-shirts, shoes, and headgear. If a family is unable to purchase uniforms, shoes, headgear or anything else a wrestler may need due to financial hardship, please let Stacy Lopshire know. Our Wrestling Boosters and Coaches have access to a private sponsors who will be able to assist. It is important to our organization that all athletes are able to participate regardless of financial issues.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT
For our program and organization to function and flourish we need parent/guardian participation. We will require that parent/guardians signup for at least one of the following:

MAT COACH: If a parent or guardian would like to help mat side and at practices, please let us know or register as a Mat Coach. These individuals help our coaches by working with our wrestlers during practice or being in the corner at tournaments for all of our wrestlers.  You will not miss your child's matches and coaching your own wrestler will be avoided when possible. 

TABLE WORKERS:  We are required to have a specific number of volunteers for each tournament to help with time, scoring, head table or other tasks. These positions are called Table workers typically.  All parents are required to work tables during the season, regardless of experience. This is a league requirement and our organization will train you on what to do. These positions often have the best seats in the house, and you will not miss your child's matches. 

YOUTH BANQUET: At the end of the season, we hold our annual Youth Banquet on February 15, 2024. Families will be join for dinner and  we recognize our wrestlers for their accomplishments with awards and gifts. This is one of the activities we will need parent/guardian participation.  

IMPORTANT: We will not tolerate poor sportsmanship at practice or tournaments. If this happens, you and/or your child may be asked to sit out the rest of the event and season, no refunds. 

COBYWA TOURNAMENTS

COBYWA Tournaments are held weekly on Sundays in  January and will be at a host school. Once these sites are finalized we will share with the team.  Team arrival requirements will be made closer to tournament time. Spectators can expect for tournaments to begin at noon each week. Admission will be $3 for adults and $1 for students.

Parents who are not a credentialed Mat Coaches or Table workers are not permitted on the mats. Please stay in the designated parent areas or seating to watch your wrestler. There is to be no eating or drinking  mat side. This has been an issue in the past, leading to spills on the mats. We need to be respectful of our host school.  

Tournaments:
December 29, 2024: TBD , starting at 12pm
January 5, 2025:  TBD , starting at 12pm
January 12, 2025: TBD , starting at 12pm
January 19, 2025: TBD , starting at 12pm

The COBYWA North Championship will be held on January 29th at Marion County Fairgrounds & Veterans Memorial Coliseum . Admission will be $5 for adults and $1 for students.

The COBYWA Year End Championship will be held February 2, 2025: Marion County Fairgrounds & Veterans Memorial Coliseum . Admission will be $5 for adults and $1 for students.