Founded in 2024 by Mark Glause, the Decatur Lakers Wrestling Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing youth through the sport of wrestling. We offer an IKWF season from November–March, with wrestling for athletes under age 7 concluding in December. A spring program is available in May–June for athletes ages 9 and up.

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.

Our coaching staff is USA Wrestling and SafeSport certified with fully cleared background checks, bringing 40+ years of combined youth coaching experience across Illinois and beyond.

Led by Mark Glause (20 years of youth coaching experience), our program is built on a proven developmental curriculum that focuses on scaffolding skills. He has seen firsthand how this process has produced 12 athletes that went on to become high school state champions. He served as a volunteer assistant high school coach in Palmer, Nebraska (2005–2014), contributing to four NSAA Class D top-five team finishes, including a 2010 state runner-up. He also holds USAW Teal certification with a focus on female athlete development, along with an MBA and a B.S. in Sports & Recreation Management.

Our staff includes former collegiate wrestlers, state medalists, and national-level competitors, including Jacob Lahniers, a Fargo National Qualifier, and Drew Vickers, a former Cornell College wrestler and certified personal trainer with a sports nutrition certification.

Two-time Club Coach of the Year Shaun Watson brings a proven leadership background as a four-year varsity wrestler at MacArthur High School, where he finished his senior season as a two-time team captain.

Additional staff bring experience as educators, varsity wrestlers, and long-time youth coaches dedicated to structured development.

We combine elite wrestling experience, professional coaching credentials, and a strong emphasis on athlete development and safety to create a disciplined, high-performance environment where wrestlers are built for long-term success.

 More Than Wrestling

 At tournaments, our staff is intentional about creating a tech-free, coach-supported environment where athletes stay engaged with the experience rather than distracted by screens. We encourage kids to be present with their teammates, coaches, and competitors throughout the day, helping them learn how to handle the natural highs and lows of competition in real time.

This approach builds more than wrestling skills. Athletes develop emotional regulation by navigating wins, losses, and long competition days with guidance from coaches and support from peers. They also learn how to communicate, support teammates, and interact appropriately in social settings—skills that carry well beyond the mat.

This area of our program is led by Cristy Patrick, a certified middle school P.E. teacher, and Dr. Kaitlin Glause, who holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with a specialization in K–12 youth development. Their educational backgrounds help shape an environment focused not only on athletic growth, but also on confidence, independence, and long-term personal development.

By removing constant access to technology, we give athletes space to build self-efficacy and confidence in their own ability to manage boredom, nerves, and adversity. Over time, this fosters resilience, accountability, and a stronger sense of ownership over performance and behavior.

Our goal is for athletes to leave each tournament not only with wrestling experience, but with stronger character, improved focus, and the ability to carry themselves with maturity in competitive environments.