Hi! My name is Kimberly Williams and my family and I moved to the Herculaneum/Festus area 2 years ago from Indiana.

My husband and I have 6 children, four boys and two daughters. So obviously sports is kind of a big deal, especially wrestling for my daughter. Other than the traditional sports like basketball, track, volleyball and football, we've been questioning why doesn't Festus offer middle school wrestling teams?? 

I'm starting this petition to change that today.

 Every successful HS wrestling program in Jefferson and surrounding counties has a Middle School program with teams! 

Wrestling is a sport that allows affordable participation for kids regardless of race, gender and physical or mental disability. Wrestling is the seventh most popular sport in the United States with largest growth year after year of any other sport for girls!

One very important aspect to middle school wrestling is the team aspect. Up to this point they don't have any exposure to wrestling as a team. Which is very important in high school and college.

Also you have to have a good coach. And I don't mean a good football coach that fills in. I mean a good wrestling coach. Where I am from we have a great wrestling coach in middle school and an outstanding high school coach that work together for one goal.

Middle school wrestling is some athletes first exposure to the sport so it is important. For some it is practice right after the school day lets out or just the timing of when these kids can get to a practice and get picked up after school. In many cases it may not be as competitive as club wrestling - but it can still serve as a stepping stone to high school wrestling and can be very valuable. Some towns/cities only have middle school wrestling and no clubs - that may be the case in some towns. Also, there are costs to consider - fees, uniforms, travel, etc., - in many cases middle school wrestling may be the only viable option where the school districts can provide a coach, practice facility, dual meets, etc. Middle school can offer the value of a team concept with duals and tournament scoring.

Some exposure is better then no exposure to the sport.

So now is the time to act and make a change. It's time to catch up to the surrounding schools. If you are a parent who has children in wrestling then sign this. If you are a middle schooler reading this and think the school should offer a middle school wrestling team then sign this today!!! Let the district know how important it is to you and why!!!

There will be a meeting on the 20th of this month to discuss with the superintendent what we are proposing.  Wouldn't it be great if he could see 1k or more signatures?? Let's make this happen!