Tiger Pit wrestling club expands -- again

Seven years ago, wrestling coach Chip Balk formed the Tiger Pit Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling club to introduce the Olympic wrestling forms to Nevada High School wrestlers.

Back then, the club only had four wrestlers and a coach. Spenser Daniels, Mason Heard, Cole Bond and Thor Herda all went on to have outstanding NHS wrestling careers.

In the club's second year, three more high school wrestlers signed on to train and the next year, the club had grown to about 12 grapplers. In 2005, the club decided to open its enrollment to select members of the youth club who had shown great aptitude and to wrestlers from other schools from around the area.

Since then the summer wrestling club has enjoyed about 25 wrestlers and athletes from Adrian, El Dorado Springs, Fort Scott and Clinton.

The club has enjoyed a great deal of success in its short time. There have been several state champions, all Americans, two Missouri national team members, a national champion and members have been placed on the South Missouri/Kansas all star dual team.

"I wrestled in the youth program in Nevada for many years. Without the solid foundation formed at an early age in the club and the understanding that hard work is needed to be successful, I could not have accomplished what I have," two-time Nevada High School state wrestling champion Spenser Daniels said.

"Freestyle and Greco training is a must for the serious wrestler. Without it today, you simply will have a hard time competing at the higher levels. We are very fortunate to have the coaching experience and staff we do in Nevada. If you want to challenge yourself and learn about a truly tough sport, the Tiger Pit will test you."

This season, the Tiger Pit has decided to expand its program of instruction once again to include a youth program of folkstyle wrestling. The new Tiger Pit will focus on folkstyle wrestling from Nov. 1 to March 31, for wrestlers in second through eighth grade.

Then in April through June, the club will go back to its roots of freestyle and Greco for third grade to high school wrestlers. The club has also added a strength, conditioning and agility program of instruction.

The club will also be adding four quality coaches to its staff. Cory Irwin -- a long-time coach in youth wrestling -- will be heading up the novice level wrestlers. Kevin Reeves -- an outstanding wrestler for NHS -- will be assisting Coach Irwin. Lance Christie -- one of NHS wrestling's winningest wrestlers and teammate of Coach Balk -- will be assisting with the advanced wrestlers. Trey Miller -- a recent graduate and great wrestler for NHS -- will be running the strength and conditioning program for the club.

"Wrestling is a unique sport. Unlike football or baseball, where size and weight can be a tremendous advantage, youth wrestlers compete with athletes of the same weight and age. Additionally, wrestlers compete individually," Irwin said.

"Their success is not restrained by the abilities of their team mates. Someone else's mistake (a fumbled ball or missed shot) cannot effect the outcome of your match. There is no weak link.

"I have been coaching with Nevada youth wrestling for 8 years. I spend most of my time with the novice kids. There is nothing that compares to seeing a new wrestler when they win their first match and the pride on their parents. To me, that is what it is all about."

Anyone who is interested in training and competing in the sport may attend either of two questions and answer sessions at the Nevada High School on Oct. 26 and 27, from 6-7 p.m. Sign ups will also be held at this time.

The new season begins Nov. 3, at 6 p.m., in the NHS wrestling room.

The Tiger Pit wrestling club is looking for tough competitors, so come prepared to work, learn and have fun.