Registration is full. Waiting list requests only may be sent to decaturlakers@gmail.com

Who we are

Founded in 2024, the Decatur Lakers Wrestling Club is a nonprofit focused on developing youth through wrestling, led by founder Mark Glause.

Our Mission Statement: The Decatur Lakers Wrestling Club champions youth development through accessible wrestling, building character, confidence, and leadership for children in our community. Together, we will win: not immediately, but definitely.

We build a strong community of parents, participants, and local partners while emphasizing respect and teamwork. Wrestling at our club teaches valuable life skills, including responsibility, resilience, leadership, self-defense, and nutritional awareness.

Our coaching philosophy combines fun and effective training, making practices engaging and inspiring. By incorporating interactive drills and team-building activities, we create an environment where athletes develop a passion for wrestling while enhancing their skills.

Our coaching staff brings over 20 years of youth coaching experience, spanning three states and dating back to the year 2000. Each coach is certified through USA Wrestling (USAW). We are proud to have a USAW Teal certified coach on staff who specializes in working with female athletes.

Our coaches' comprehensive backgrounds also include:

A certified personal trainer with a specialization in sport nutrition.
A Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management.
A Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.

This diverse expertise ensures a comprehensive and enriching experience for all participants. For verification, our USA Wrestling Organization ID is 2400149502.

The anchor in our logo represents hope, steadfastness, and composure. By placing the anchor at the heart of our emblem, we signal to our wrestlers and fans that the Lakers will remain resilient in both victory and defeat.

Lake Decatur, a stunning feature of our city, is proudly highlighted in our logo as it cradles the anchor. As Illinois' largest artificial lake, Lake Decatur spans 2,800 acres with 30 miles of scenic shoreline.

Join us in shaping well-rounded champions, both on and off the mat.

For more information, email DECATURLAKERS@GMAIL.COM

Donate by Clicking below on The Give here button

Your Donation Makes a Difference (and May Be Tax-Deductible!) The Decatur Lakers Wrestling Club is proud to be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means that your generous financial contributions may be tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. When you donate to the Decatur Lakers Wrestling Club, you're not just supporting a wrestling club; you're investing in the future of our young athletes. Every dollar helps us provide a safe, enriching environment for our team, offering high-quality coaching, essential equipment, and opportunities for growth. We will provide a donation receipt for your records. Please be sure to consult with a tax professional for specific advice regarding your personal situation. Thank you for your support!

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upcoming events schedule

October

October 14th

Parents Meeting and singlet sizing

MacArthur HS

6:00pm

November

November 9th

Millikin Youth Open

D.I.S.C.

Decatur, Illinois

November 15 7:00 PM

Millikin Vs Illinois Wesleyan NCAA D3 CCIW Wrestling Dual

Griswold Center

Decatur, IL

December

December 7

Railer Rumble

Lincoln Community High School

Lincoln, Illinois

December 8 NO PRACTICE

Macarthur v Taylorville/Litchfield

High School Wrestling

MacArthur H.S.

Decatur, IL

December 13

Mattoon Beginners Tournament

Emerald Acres Sports Connection

Mattoon, IL

Event Flyer

Event Registration

December 20

Edwardsville Open

Edwardsville High School

Edwardsville, IL

December 21

Clinton Challenge

Clinton High School

Clinton, IL

January

January 3 or 4

TBD

January 11

Mt Zion Kids Club Open

Mt Zion High School

Mount Zion, IL

January 17

Jon Davis Weigh Ins

January 18

Jon Davis Kids Open

Bank of Springfield Center

Springfield, IL

January 24 or 25

TBD

February

February 1 (or Jan 31)

TBD

February 8

Warrensburg-Latham Cardinal Cradle Classic

Warrensburg-Latham High School

Warrensburg, IL

February 13

Nebraska Vs. Illinois NCAA Big Ten Dual

Champaign, IL

February 21 or 22

TBD

February 27

IKWF REGIONAL WEIGH IN

February 28

IKWF REGIONAL

LOCATION TBD

March

March 6

Sectionals Weigh In for those that qualified

March 7

IKWF Sectionals for those that qualified

Location TBD

March 12 to March 14

IKWF State for those that qualified

Peoria, IL

April

April 4

Midwest Classic Nationals

Kearney, NE

TBD

Club Banquet

TBD

Decatur Lakers Wrestling Club Record Book

Outstanding Wrestlers

2025 Outstanding Male Wrestler: Adam Glause – 39.01 Points
2025 Outstanding Female Wrestler: Kensington Clynes – 24.70 Points
Criteria: Points are calculated via club formula using regular season winning percentage with postseason team points scored. Postseason points are weighted.

Most Valuable Participants

2025 Most Valuable Participant: Alexander Fonder

Criteria: Presented to a wrestler who exemplifies the core values of the team and contributes to the club's success beyond just their performance on the mat.

The Hearts of The Club

2025 Heart of the Club: The Loki Patrick Family

Criteria: Presented to a wrestling club family that has demonstrated outstanding dedication, support, and commitment to the success and growth of the club behind the scenes.

Coaches Of The Year

2025 Coach Of The Year: Shaun Watson

Criteria: Coach which had the most positive impact on team development, team spirit, and team growth throughout the season.

I.K.W.F. Season Wins

Most Wins – Male: Adam Glause (Intermediate Division 2024-2025) – 27 Wins
Most Wins – Female: Kensington Clynes (Novice Division 2024-2025) – 14 Wins

Registration is full. Waiting list requests only may be sent to decaturlakers@gmail.com