FROM DYNAMITE TO SUPER!
TX Wrestlers Compete in NC

The past two seasons of running the Dallas Dynamite Preseason Training Club culminated in sending the wrestlers off to their respective high school programs at the end of October. This year, the coaches wanted a goal to end their preseason training to spark the wrestler’s enthusiasm, hence the decision to participate in Super 32. “We wanted to coach them in a competition at the end of our club,” Ty Wilcox, Dynamite Coach, said. “It just made sense.”

Dallas Dynamite, under the direction of Ty Wilcox, Dave Kjeldgaard and Brandon Slay, was instrumental in sending Texas wrestlers to compete in the Super 32 held in Greensboro, NC the weekend of October 28. The Super 32 is being touted as the fastest growing, most competitive preseason tournaments in the nation with over 1200 wrestlers grappling on 20 mats.

The wrestlers attending felt like it was a great opportunity to get some mat time before the high school season started. “After looking at the brackets from last year,” Chad Gallatin, 130# from Highland Park said, “I knew it was going to be one of the toughest folk style tournaments I had ever been to.” 

Ty claims the level of competition did not compare to other national high school tournaments he has attended.  “The coaches were a little jealous that we didn’t have an opportunity to compete in this when we were in high school,” he confessed. “You know a tournament is tough when there are college coaches recruiting.” Some of the college reps that were seen recruiting at the event included Michigan State, Minnesota, NC, NC State, Gardner Webb, Appalachian St, and West Point.

“We knew there were top kids in every weight,” Ty said. “I think there was more depth in the tournament than we expected.” The coaches felt all of the Texas wrestlers did a great job; Ty wants them to walk away with the knowledge that they can compete with anybody from anywhere.

One match that stands out for Ty was Jeremy Sandoval’s 125# quarterfinal match. “He got an unfortunate break that changed his tournament,” Ty said. “He wrestled his heart out in that match and deserved to win.” He also gives credit to Cameron Coach who was pitted against a PA state placer, Kyle Anderson and Alex Munoz for their matches against the top 160 # in the country, and Chad Gallatin in his match against a nationally-ranked senior.

“We filmed my matches and I got to see some things that I’m doing wrong,” Gallatin said. “Now I know what I need to work on.” Gallatin believes his first Texas High School tournament of the season won’t be as intimidating since he has already taken the mat with an “All Class” senior who has committed to Michigan.

Gallatin said the one thing that he has learned from the experience is to drop down to the lowest weight class at which he could effectively compete. “I didn’t expect everyone would be ‘Fargo Ready’ weight-wise,” Gallatin admitted.

Ty and Gallatin both believe that training is a year-long commitment for the serious wrestler. Ty gives the example of two Bishop Lynch wrestlers, Luke Silver, winning 1st at 140 and John Koepp, 2nd at 152; “they didn’t just show up at the tournament and wrestle,” Ty said. Another Texas wrestler, Eric Spjut from The Woodlands, placed 5th in 112.

To help train for the tournament, Gallatin participated in “The 20” and the Preseason Training program sponsored by the Dallas Dynamite Club. “The 20” was an intensive two week camp that met four times a week for a total of twenty hours, and the Preseason program met three times a week for six weeks. “All that on top of our regular workout during high school practice,” Gallatin said.

There is no magic to becoming a good wrestler, “just commitment and focus,” according to Ty. He believes that with the right training and attitude that a wrestler can move toward becoming the best wrestler in the country.

Ty foresees great things for Texas wrestling. He lauds Brandon Slay, Mo Lawal, Tim Marzuola, Steve Silver and Team Monday for the recognition they are bringing to the sport in the state. He cites the All Star Classic at the Dallas Convention Center on Nov 20 as a step in the right direction. He is proud that Texas is able to send wrestlers to such colleges as OSU, OU, UNC, Harvard, and Iowa State. His own club, Dallas Dynamite, is committed to building a youth program in Central Dallas and helping those who want to wrestle in college. “It’s an exciting time in Texas wrestling,” Ty said, “and Dallas Dynamite is excited to be a part of it.”

Ty stresses that to be the best, it is important to always train hard. He feels in order to learn one must “get into the mix,” and he can’t over-emphasize the importance of competition. He suggested attending regional and national tournaments in order to gain experience and exposure. Joining an off-season club, like Dallas Dynamite, will give wrestlers an opportunity to get better conditioning, hone skills, and participate in more tournaments.

Gallatin advised that once a wrestler starts winning a fair amount of matches here in Texas, to start going to some of the national tournaments so see where you need to be. Besides, Gallatin said, “the belts they gave out for 1st were sweet!”

More information about the Dallas Dynamite wrestling club can be found at www.dallasdynamite.org.