New Offseason Wrestling Opportunity Coming to Dunkirk/Fredonia Area

WNY scholastic wrestlers will have a new opportunity to train and learn from some highly decorated former high school grapplers this summer.

The new ‘Maniacs Wrestling Club’ will begin holding practices on Sunday, August 1st and will continue through the fall to October 31st just before the beginning of the high school regular season.

Maniacs practices will be held on Sundays, noon to 1:45pm, and Tuesdays from 6 to 8pm, August through October.

The club will practice at 10745 Bennett Road in Dunkirk. The club will be open to 9-18 year old scholastic athletes. The monthly registration fee is $50 per athlete and a NYWAY membership is required in order to participate.

“My brother Dalton and I recognized that there was no extra wrestling available in the area for those who want to get better outside of school practices,” said Maniacs co-organizer and 2016 Fredonia graduate Dakota Gardner. “Participation will be open to everyone. We are hoping to grow WNY wrestling again. Unfortunately, some local programs have been on the decline over the past few years, so we are hoping that our club can help turn things around for all of the school programs in our area.”

Both Dakota and Dalton will be coaches at the club along with Nick Jones, Ceric Kristan, and Kenny Betts.

“Since Kenny’s son is now old enough to compete in youth divisions, we are hoping that we can collectively re-vamp the local youth program as well,” said Dakota. “The plan is to do spring and fall sessions for experienced wrestlers and get into folkstyle, freestyle, and greco summer tournaments and then run the youth club in the winter.”

Interested athletes can contact Dakota directly at 716-785-3494 or by sending an email to: DG21727@gmail.com.