A youth organization in Greene County is making a roaring comeback with a winter sport that is looking to return to its former glory.

Greene County Youth Athletic Association Board President Travis Warnke tells Raccoon Valley Radio they are proud of the Little Ram Mat Club, where about 32 kids are in the beginners program and 24 are in the advanced program, including several girls. He says youth that are kindergarten through 6th grade are participating and before this year, this program was averaging 20 kids total. 

Before the resurgence, Warnke describes that after GCYAA sold its original wrestling facility to TJ Sebolt with his wrestling program, their program kind of fell by the wayside for a while. He explains one major reason why the youth wrestling program has seen a nice re-ignition is because of the talent that makes up the volunteer coaching staff.

“So the nice thing is we’ve got some really unique coaches right now. We have former college wrestlers that are coaching for us. We’ve had them in the past but these guys are in town now. We have former high school coaches that’s now coaching out there, former state qualifiers, former Greene County High School participants that have graduated out of high school and are back in the community that are wrestling. So they’ve got that background of what Greene County expects.”  

Warnke is excited for the large group of beginners to possibly go to various Pee Wee tournaments, work on grappling styles and setting a good base, whereas the advanced program can work more from individual style and technique. He talks about if the wrestlers are going to be traveling to any tournaments or see any meets this year.

“They’re starting club only. So that means we’re focusing on the athletes and if the athlete on their own wants to do a tournament on the weekend or something, it’s on that individual athlete.” 

The Little Ram Mat Club season is November through February.