OUR TEAMS
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Eastern Loudoun Wrestling Club (ELWC) is one large club comprised of different teams with their own practice and competition schedules.
The season begins in early November, and registration typically open in early September. The following describes the teams from the past season, however the board of directors is currently considering changes to improve the club for the 2020-2021 season. |
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JUNIOR LEOPARDS (grades K-1). This is an “age-appropriate” weekly practice at Top of the Podium. Boys and girls are introduced to the basics of wrestling while also emphasizing body awareness, agility, balance, movement, etc. (often through games). We want the kids to have a great time and positive experience. By separating these children from older wrestlers, we ensure they receive age-appropriate instruction.
At this age, we do not see many benefits from participating in formal competition. However, the Junior Leopards wrestle a lot in practice and have the option in competing at tourneys at TOP during the winter. If you believe your child is mature and athletic enough to practice with older kids in a more traditional wrestling practice, please contact us to discuss this request.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (grades 2-5). We have two teams of elementary-age wrestlers that practice at different times and locations:
Red Leopards (location at Top of the Podium in Sterling); practices on Mon/Wed from 5:45-7:15 pm (SOLD OUT)
Blue Leopards (location at Broad Run High School); practices on Tues/Thurs from 7-8:30 pm (SOLD OUT)
When registering, you will be asked if you have a preference about practice location/time. Each team focuses on fundamentals. But most importantly, we want youth to fall in love with the sport, obtain great exercise, and have a positive experience. We understand some wrestlers on these teams may be motivated, mature and talented enough to participate in a more serious practice. In such cases, the coaches plan to hold an extra practice during the week. This will be invitation-only (i.e., a coach must recommend/approve a wrestler for this practice). This decision is always based on the best interests of the wrestler and club, along with potential space limitations in the room. Feel free to talk to the coaches if you believe your wrestler should bump up. 6th graders may also join the elementary Leopard teams if it seems like a better fit based on athletic ability and maturity.
All Leopards have the option of competing in local tournaments and meets. Our teams compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals-Novice Division which take place at Top of the Podium. In most cases, wrestlers compete against others of a comparable age/weight/experience level. Most events take place on Saturdays, however, there are a few exceptions during the year. Experience shows too many kids quite wrestling if thrown into competition too soon. Thus, ELWC encourages competition only if they wrestler is interested and ready. There is nothing wrong with “practice-only” or giving wrestlers occasional weeks off during the season.
Regarding grades, some first graders are "old" for their grade and may also be more advanced athletically or able to focus at a higher level than peers. If this is the case and you believe a first grader is better suited for a Leopards team (as opposed to Junior Leopards), we can discuss (if you're not sure) or you can register for the Elementary Leopards. If it turns out the child would be better suited for the Junior Leopards, the coaches will let you know. In general, though, we believe it's better to be "bumped up" rather than "bumped down."
MIDDLE SCHOOL (grades 6-8). ELWC has teams for all middle schools in the Ashburn, Brambleton and Sterling areas. If you live outside of this area, this is not a problem and you will be assigned to an appropriate team. Depending on enrollment, schools are sometimes combined to ensure adequate workout partners.
STERLING GROUP. This consists of Seneca Ridge, River Bend and Sterling middle schools and practices on Monday and Thursday (7:10-8:40) at Top of the Podium in Sterling. There will also be an optional third practice at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
BRAMBLETON. This group will consist of Brambleton and Stone Hill middle schools and practice on Monday and Thursday nights at 5:30-7:00 pm at Independence High School. There will also be an optional third practice at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
ASHBURN. There will be two separate groups. Eagle Ridge wrestlers will practice at Briar Woods HS on Tues/Thurs from 6:30-8 pm (this is a slight time change!). Trailside and Farmwell Station wrestlers will practice at Stone Bridge HS on Mon/Thurs from 6:45-8:15. There will also be an optional third practice for both groups at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
Our Middle School teams primarily compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals. They also have the opportunity to compete in other events during the season. Because there are many options, each coach will explain the opportunities to the parents after the season begins.
If your school isn’t listed above (or the practice schedule conflicts with your schedule), don’t worry. We will discuss assigning your wrestler to another location that makes sense. For more information on each of the school teams, click here.
GOLD LEOPARDS (grades 2-8). This is invitation-only and is generally comprised of experienced, motivated, dedicated and mature wrestlers. Most kids are older with multiple years of experience. The coaches expect athletes to take practice seriously and reserve the right to move wrestlers in or out of this team for the good of the team.
The Gold Leopards practice 3x week (Tues/Wed/Fri) at Top of the Podium. The team competes in the Mason-Dixon League (which features weekly tournaments on Sundays in January thru early March). The Gold Leopards also enter a team in the Dulles Duals and may participate in other tournaments and events, including the VAWA State Championships in Richmond.
At this age, we do not see many benefits from participating in formal competition. However, the Junior Leopards wrestle a lot in practice and have the option in competing at tourneys at TOP during the winter. If you believe your child is mature and athletic enough to practice with older kids in a more traditional wrestling practice, please contact us to discuss this request.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (grades 2-5). We have two teams of elementary-age wrestlers that practice at different times and locations:
Red Leopards (location at Top of the Podium in Sterling); practices on Mon/Wed from 5:45-7:15 pm (SOLD OUT)
Blue Leopards (location at Broad Run High School); practices on Tues/Thurs from 7-8:30 pm (SOLD OUT)
When registering, you will be asked if you have a preference about practice location/time. Each team focuses on fundamentals. But most importantly, we want youth to fall in love with the sport, obtain great exercise, and have a positive experience. We understand some wrestlers on these teams may be motivated, mature and talented enough to participate in a more serious practice. In such cases, the coaches plan to hold an extra practice during the week. This will be invitation-only (i.e., a coach must recommend/approve a wrestler for this practice). This decision is always based on the best interests of the wrestler and club, along with potential space limitations in the room. Feel free to talk to the coaches if you believe your wrestler should bump up. 6th graders may also join the elementary Leopard teams if it seems like a better fit based on athletic ability and maturity.
All Leopards have the option of competing in local tournaments and meets. Our teams compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals-Novice Division which take place at Top of the Podium. In most cases, wrestlers compete against others of a comparable age/weight/experience level. Most events take place on Saturdays, however, there are a few exceptions during the year. Experience shows too many kids quite wrestling if thrown into competition too soon. Thus, ELWC encourages competition only if they wrestler is interested and ready. There is nothing wrong with “practice-only” or giving wrestlers occasional weeks off during the season.
Regarding grades, some first graders are "old" for their grade and may also be more advanced athletically or able to focus at a higher level than peers. If this is the case and you believe a first grader is better suited for a Leopards team (as opposed to Junior Leopards), we can discuss (if you're not sure) or you can register for the Elementary Leopards. If it turns out the child would be better suited for the Junior Leopards, the coaches will let you know. In general, though, we believe it's better to be "bumped up" rather than "bumped down."
MIDDLE SCHOOL (grades 6-8). ELWC has teams for all middle schools in the Ashburn, Brambleton and Sterling areas. If you live outside of this area, this is not a problem and you will be assigned to an appropriate team. Depending on enrollment, schools are sometimes combined to ensure adequate workout partners.
STERLING GROUP. This consists of Seneca Ridge, River Bend and Sterling middle schools and practices on Monday and Thursday (7:10-8:40) at Top of the Podium in Sterling. There will also be an optional third practice at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
BRAMBLETON. This group will consist of Brambleton and Stone Hill middle schools and practice on Monday and Thursday nights at 5:30-7:00 pm at Independence High School. There will also be an optional third practice at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
ASHBURN. There will be two separate groups. Eagle Ridge wrestlers will practice at Briar Woods HS on Tues/Thurs from 6:30-8 pm (this is a slight time change!). Trailside and Farmwell Station wrestlers will practice at Stone Bridge HS on Mon/Thurs from 6:45-8:15. There will also be an optional third practice for both groups at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
Our Middle School teams primarily compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals. They also have the opportunity to compete in other events during the season. Because there are many options, each coach will explain the opportunities to the parents after the season begins.
If your school isn’t listed above (or the practice schedule conflicts with your schedule), don’t worry. We will discuss assigning your wrestler to another location that makes sense. For more information on each of the school teams, click here.
GOLD LEOPARDS (grades 2-8). This is invitation-only and is generally comprised of experienced, motivated, dedicated and mature wrestlers. Most kids are older with multiple years of experience. The coaches expect athletes to take practice seriously and reserve the right to move wrestlers in or out of this team for the good of the team.
The Gold Leopards practice 3x week (Tues/Wed/Fri) at Top of the Podium. The team competes in the Mason-Dixon League (which features weekly tournaments on Sundays in January thru early March). The Gold Leopards also enter a team in the Dulles Duals and may participate in other tournaments and events, including the VAWA State Championships in Richmond.