The Bridgeport Youth Wrestling Club (BYWC) is thrilled to announce that registration for the 2025–2026 season is officially open! Coach Adam Walker shares that everything is falling into place—from tournaments to uniforms to a brand-new team store.

“We’re getting into full swing now,” Walker says. “We already have three tournaments lined up at The Bridge Sports Complex, finalizing our uniforms, and launching a second team store so families have fresh apparel options all year long.”

Wrestlers of all levels — beginners to seasoned veterans — are invited! Kids (boys and girls) aged 12 and under, regardless of where they live (no Bridgeport or Harrison County residency required), are welcome to join the fun. The club proudly supports wrestlers across the region and is committed to growing girls’ participation in the sport, offering unique girls-only divisions at BYWC hosted tournaments with just a two-year age gap—a rare opportunity in West Virginia.

If your child is participating in fall sports that overlap with the start of the wrestling season, no worries! The BYWC is committed to working with your family to ensure they can finish out fall sports and work with kids to cover any drills or skills missed so your athlete can begin full practices feeling confident, prepared, and ready to hit the mat.

What does the $155 registration include? This season’s registration fee covers:

• All practices
• A team singlet (which wrestlers keep)
• Entry to BYWC hosted tournaments

Gear you’ll need yourself: wrestling shoes, a USA Wrestling Limited Folkstyle membership, and a mouthguard for those with braces. Headgear is optional, giving families flexibility.

Keeping wrestling affordable: BYWC strives to make wrestling accessible for all families and offers a payment-plan option. If you have questions about registration costs—or need help—please reach out to the club. They're happy to work with you to find a solution that makes participation possible.

Important registration deadlines:

• Early Registration: Register by October 15, 2025 to ensure delivery of your team singlet in time for the first tournament (Tribe Takedown Classic).
• Late Registration: Registration will remain open after October 15, but singlets for the first tournament cannot be guaranteed.

Season kickoff and competitions:

• First practice: Begins Monday, November 4, 2025, with participants grouped by age, weight, and experience level.
• Home Tournaments at the Citynet Center (The Bridge Sports Complex):
• Tribe Takedown Classic in December
• Bridgeport Brawl in late January
• West Virginia Novice Tournament in March—for wrestlers with three years or less of experience.

Why wrestling is so beneficial: According to Coach Walker, wrestling builds more than strength—it builds character. It enhances:

• Balance and coordination
• Strength and mental toughness
• Reaction time and speed
• Flexibility, range of motion, and footwork

“Wrestling is such a great sport for kids to grow with—and a fantastic cross-training opportunity," Walker said.

Learn more and get involved: The club will be participating in local events at The Bridge Sports Complex and Trunk-or-Treats. Keep an eye out for their event schedule, and feel free to reach out with questions at BYWC19@gmail.com, visit their website at www.BYWC.org, or connect via Facebook.

Celebrating 25 Seasons of Bridgeport Youth Wrestling:

This season marks BYWC’s 25th anniversary! From its humble beginnings in 2001 under the leadership of Kevin Stanley, who launched the program with tumble mats in the Benedum building and donated singlets from North Marion, to becoming a cornerstone of the local sports community, BYWC has built a legacy of courage, character, and countless takedowns. As interest grew, Bridgeport High School reinstated its wrestling program, and a partnership formed with Parks & Rec, sharing mats and facilities. Over time, the program expanded thanks to the dedication of volunteers and coaches. Today, BYWC is about more than wrestling technique—it’s about building character, discipline, and lifelong connections. The program thrives because of community support from parents, volunteers, local businesses, and schools.

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