By MAXIMO MAGLIO
The Hernando Wrestling Club is a non-profit organization that has been very successful in recent years. Led by Coach Pritz, the program held at Hernando High produces some very talented wrestlers. Currently, there are over 30 children under ten who attend the wrestling club, as well as a similar number of high schoolers. For the older wrestlers, the program serves to help them train during the offseason of high school wrestling, and the practice pays off as a high school boys team is currently ranked fourth in the state while the girls’ team is in the top two. Last year, the Hernando High girls’ team even made it to Nationals, with state champion Grace Leota placing 4th in her weight class.
Wrestling is a winter sport, so there are several months until the high school wrestling season starts, and the high school wrestlers have been putting in the work all summer. As coach Pritz said, “The team has worked incredibly hard this summer; they’re young but hungry.” With the majority of the team attending the bi-weekly practice, the coaches say they think the team will do quite well this year.
While it’s a good problem to have, due to their success, the team is facing some large expenses. The team plans to go to at least seven in-state tournaments this year, with the tournaments each having an average cost of around $500. The girls’ team has already been invited to Ironman, which is a national wrestling competition in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, that attracts the best wrestlers from all around the country. This event has an estimated cost of around $2,000. If the team performs well, there is a very good possibility that they will be invited to more such events. The padding on the floor and walls of the practice room also needs replacing. This will cost them around $30,000.
Since the Hernando Wrestling Club is a non-profit, all donations are eligible to be tax write-offs, and donations at or exceeding $100 will get recognition on the Hernando Wrestling Club’s social media pages, a commemorative t-shirt and recognition on a sign that will be posted at all their home tournaments and meets. All donations will be appreciated by the young wrestlers, and to donate, you can contact Coach Pritz at 352-797-7015 ext 253.
