In 2016, Owensboro native Matt Allen started coaching at a youth wrestling program at the local YMCA. Four years later, he broke away and started up the high school wrestling team at Owensboro Catholic. At the same time, he created his own youth program that wasn’t affiliated with the school.
Fast forward to today, the program has evolved into the Aces Wrestling Club, which consists of a youth and middle school team that competes year-round. They offer opportunities for anyone between kindergarten and eighth grade, where the youth program is tailored to 6U, 8U, 10U, and 12U.
“We have been extremely blessed to be able to work with the number of kids we have worked with,” Allen said. “Our goal is to be a positive environment for the kids and to be easy on the parents. I’m blessed to have the coaching staff that I have around me, and I am blessed to be working with a great group of parents.”
Recently, the middle school team finished sixth in the Middle School Dual State Tournament and arrived at the Region 2 Middle School Individual Tournament held last weekend with a purpose – viewing it as a business trip. A year ago, they finished as runners-up, leaving a sour taste for Allen and his team – their resentment boiling over.
This time around, they battered the competition, beating the second-place team by 118 points, and fifteen of their 17 wrestlers punched their tickets to state – a 16th athlete was named an alternate. Ten of Allen’s 17 middle school wrestlers reached the finals of their respective weight classes, with six finishing atop the podium – including Westin Clark, Mason Clark, Nolan Clark, Tyler Clatterbuck, Eli Wilson, and Thomas Brauer.
“We have kids who are peaking at the right time,” Allen said. “Some of our kids have lost matches to these kids previously and went in and won this time, which is just a testament to the hard work they are putting in day in and day out.”
The Region 2 Youth Individual Tournament was also held at the same time, with Allen’s youth team finishing with similar results. Fourteen of his 20 athletes qualified for the Youth State Tournament, and two more were named alternates. Jaxon Aull, Gus Murphy, Maverick Heady, Hudson Hughes, and Ryder Russelburg all emerged as region champions at their respective weight classes.
The Aces Wrestling Club also sent four athletes to the KFWC Middle School and Youth Girls State Championship this past Sunday, three of whom finished on the podium. Carter Bradshaw competed in the 12U age group, finishing second against 13 girls at 87 pounds. At the middle school level, Roxy Russelburg (90 lbs, 4-1) and Charley Appleton (100 lbs, 4-1) both finished third in their respective weight classes, while Aurora Hawk went 1-2 at 140.
The State Tournament for both the youth and middle school levels is scheduled for February 21-22 in Louisville. Allen has high expectations for his team and believes a plethora of his middle schoolers can take home some hardware – including Thomas Brauer, Westin Clark, Braylen Boarman, Berkley Porter, Tyler Clatterbuck, and Nolan Clark.
“We are peaking at the right time,” Allen said. “The kids are wrestling really well. It is a tough task because the kids are wrestling in 30-person brackets, and it’s a tough task to finish in the top eight against the top kids in the state.”
While the winter season is winding down, Allen and Aces Wrestling Club are accepting signups all year long. Interested parents can register online at Aceswrestlingclub.com, with spring youth registration open now.
“Wrestling is a growing sport and an excellent sport for kids. Both physically and mentally, and it helps with all other sports,” Allen said. “I always joke and say it is the best anti-bullying class you can take because it teaches kids how to and the ability to be able to stand up for themselves.”
