Jesuit Ranger Wrestling
Frequently Asked Questions
The coaching staff understands that wrestling is a sport that many parents and prospective athletes are not familiar with, so we have assembled a list of frequently asked questions to help clear some of the confusion!
When is the season?
Wrestling is a Winter Sport. The UIL Wrestling season begins in November and ends in late February with the State Championship meet for the top 16 qualifiers per weight class.
Can I play other sports and do Wrestling?
Yes. If you play a fall sport like football, Wrestling can become your best tool to become a better Athlete! Wrestling is an excellent complementary sport for Football. NFL Hall of Famers and current players all alike have wrestled. Players like Ray Lewis/Ravens, Rhonde Barber/Tampa Bay, Adam Vinateri/Colts, Roddy White/Falcons, and Mike Patterson/Philadelphia Eagles where either wrestling State Champs or Qualifiers. Close to home Cowboys of old like Randy White, and Super Bowl winners like Chad Hennings wrestled in High School. At Jesuit, 2009's Defensive Player of the Year and All District DT, Mike Rinaldi was the Wrestling team's 215 pound wrestler. Mike wrestled for four years, and attributes wrestling with making him a better player.
I don't have any experience Wrestling, can I still join the team?
Absolutely, we encourage your son to join and come to the "room". The coaching staff can teach anyone how to wrestle. All they ask is that your come prepared to learn and work hard.
Will my son have to cut weight?
No. Your son will practice hard, so any weight loss will occur naturally. The changes in strength, agility and muscle tone are the by products of hard work. The kids do develop "six pack abs". The "rubber suits" of the 80's (that you saw in movies like Vision Quest) or at your high school are not a part of today's wrestling. The UIL has very specific mandates on how an athlete "certifies" for a weight class. The UIL mandated certification process begins prior to the student's first meet (weeks ahead of time). Ultimately, if an athlete wants to move down a weight class, both the coaches and athlete will discuss pro's and cons and make a decision together.
Okay, my son wants to join, what do I do next? Are there are tryouts? How does it work?
There are no cuts in Wrestling. The coaches don't cut anyone. Choose to join the Ranger Wrestling program and they will teach you the exciting, rewarding, and full of life lessons sport of wrestling. For more information, contact Head Coach, Ryan Menard at
rmenard@jesuitcp.org or call at 972-387-8700 ext 514.
What can I do to support my son during the season?
Come to tournaments, help, provide healthy foods at home, and cheer LOUD! Wrestling is a sport that brings both heartache and joy, so your son will need lots of support to be successful.
The Wrestler- The Champion
No one is born a champion. Every Champion must pay the price. It is the investment in one's future that builds the inner strength of a champion. It is-the investment of time, sweat, effort, sore muscles, bruised egos, frustration, more sweat, and exhaustion. While others sit idle, the champion is hard at work focused on the future. Wrestling has many champions. They are not just the first place winners, for it is not the victory that makes the champion-it is the investment. The greater the investment, the greater the champion!
