Jackson area youth wrestling teaching youth for nearly 50 years

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – A youth program is helping teenagers in the Jackson area.

Young wrestlers in Jackson face off on the matt for the first dual meet of the season.

This youth program has been helping teach Jackson’s youth important values for going on five decades.

Kyle Kurtz, a Jackson native, and a parent of one of the wrestlers, says that this program isnt just a sport.

“You know, these kids learn work ethic at an early age. And this program is perfect for them,” said Kurtz.

Young athletes can join the program as early as six years old until they are 12 years old, typically kindergarten through 6th grade.

Many coaches and parents were in this program when they were young. Some were so impacted by it that they decided to give back.

Former Jackson High School wrestler and 2023’s Optimist League Coach of the Year Russell Brown shares why this program is important to him and others in the community.

“Wrestling was a big part of my you know past growing up,” said Russell Brown, 2023 coach of the year. “And I had a lot that I got out of it as a child. And my dad was my coach, so I wanted to be my son’s coach. I’ve had two kids come through the program now and so it’s just fun to give back to not only my kid like my dad did but also other kids in the community.”

The kids that join this program tend to stay with it for the entire six years that they are eligible. Even with the individual nature of the sport, some parents say that the team aspect is what keeps them interested.

“You know it’s the comradery,” said Kurtz. “He learns to be social with others, and you know he enjoys it. And so I think it helps everyone in this program to be social and develop a lot of friendships.”

Kurtz says there is only one thing his son likes more than wrestling.

“I think the only sport that he likes more than wrestling is fishing,” said Kurtz.