Raider's Wrestling Club

When we moved to town, Mark resigned as the coach from Campbell High School. He is well connected in the world of wrestling on the island, and it didn't take long for him to start a youth wrestling club for our boys.  The Raider's wrestling club was born in September and has quickly grown to about 30 kids ranging from 4 to 12.  One of the best private schools on the island, Iolani, allows the club to use their facilities with the caveat that Iolani students had priority in joining.  It has been a win-win situation for everyone and this club has proved to be another great way for us to meet families with young children that live in town.   On a side note, a huge group a Hodokan Judo kids have joined the wrestling club so we are really getting to know these families and their kids well :)

Gavin participated in three wrestling tournaments this past season and took 2nd place in all three (to the same kid- and the same kid that beat him in both Judo tournaments). Needless to say, beating this kid is a goal of his in both sports ;) The great thing about living on an island, though, is that Gavin knows the kid from Mauka Lani and they are friends.

Dylan is the youngest on the team, but recently another 4 year old joined and now Dylan has a partner. It is amazing how much more he participates in practice now that he has a partner. He really is a part of the team now :)

The very first Honolulu Raider's Wrestling Team

Three kids from the club entered the first tournament. This was before we even got the club uniforms.

Gavin and his buddy/nemesis Dallas :)

The second tournament was at the rec center in Manoa and we had a lot of kids participate! This was the first tournament where the team had their uniforms- they proudly represented their red and black :) Gavin got second place at this tournament also...Dallas placed first.

On our way to the Oahu Folkstyle Championship tournament

Second placer in the Oahu Championship for Folkstyle wrestling.

The Raider kids who participated

Two-time NCAA champion from Penn State, David Taylor came to the islands for a clinic and Gavin got to meet him :)

Mark running practice in the amazing facilities at Iolani.

Over the Christmas break, several college wrestling teams came to Oahu for a tournament and to run clinics for local kids. Mark was on the planning committee for the event and of course, Gavin and Dylan wanted to attend the clinics and watch the tournament. They got to learn from coaches and college wrestlers from #2 ranked Minnesota, American University, Oregon State, and Oklahoma University. This photo is with coaches and wrestlers from American University, where two local Hawaii brothers wrestle (along with high school wrestlers from Oahu who attended the clinic).

Gavin and Dylan with coaches from Minnesota University after the clinic.