Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast

We are going on vacation until October (unless we have something very important to stay, which does happen) Weekly episodes back in October!  Coaches Liz Short and Sarah Doty break down Team Illinois' performance at the Women's National Duals, highlighting what worked, what needs improvement, and how the experience prepares athletes for the July Fargo freestyle nationals. They discuss energy and b...

We are working on a few more episodes this season and will go on vacation sometime in July. See you in October for the Second season of the Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast!  In this episode we break down exactly what girls need (and don’t) for wrestling: a simple three-bucket system of must-haves, helpful items, and optional extras so families avoid overspending or last-minute panic. Learn what t...

New episode every other Wednesday in the off-season and weekly episodes during Folkstyle season with vacation break in July and August This episode supports girls who didn’t qualify for Team Illinois, featuring Coach Samantha "Sammie" Barrientos of Beat the Streets Chicago. We discuss processing disappointment, rebuilding confidence, summer training options (camps, open mats, strength work), ways...

New episode every other Wednesday in the off-season and weekly episodes during Folkstyle season! Host Lena Burkut breaks down the top 10 practice mistakes that make matches harder—like skipping stance, going live too hard, not drilling finishes, and failing to simulate match situations—and gives clear, actionable fixes you can try today. Minot University's Freshman Lily Garrett shares how correcti...

New episode every other Wednesday in the off-season and weekly episodes during Folkstyle season! In this episode, Coach Liam Cummins and the host discuss how wrestlers can use the off-season to build strength, technique, and confidence without burning out. They cover practical strategies like targeted drilling, strength training, smart competition schedules, recovery, and camps. Listeners will lea...

New episode every other Wednesday in the off-seasn and weekly episodes during Folkstyle season! This episode breaks down practical next steps after Illinois Freestyle State for athletes, coaches, and families — whether you qualified for Fargo or didn’t. Liz Short and the host explain qualification rules, regional and second‑chance options, summer camps and team travel, weigh‑in strategy, and how G...

New episode every other Wednesday in the off-season and weekly episodes during Folkstyle season! In this episode Coach Russell Silverstein breaks down the mental side of wrestling — why athletes perform great in practice but freeze under pressure, and how the mental game can be trained. He explains common mindset "red flags" (hesitation, over-respect, fear of mistakes) and shares quick, practical...

New episode every other Wednesday in the off-seasn and weekly episodes during Folkstyle season! Today's episode is a shortcut for folk-style wrestlers and families learning freestyle: what changes, how scoring works, what the edge means, and where to focus first so your first freestyle tournament feels exciting, not confusing. Guest Kylie Bair breaks down the essentials — step-out = 1 point, taked...

New episode every other Wednesday in the off-seasn and weekly episodes during Folkstyle season! In this episode the hosts answer common parent questions about girls starting wrestling—what equipment is needed, safety concerns, how to find a club, what practices and tournaments look like, and how parents can best support their athletes. Then they interview Viola Pianetto, a 2025 state finalist and...

In this episode we preview IKWF State with a focus on the Senior Girls Division (ages 13–14), the final youth tournament before many athletes move to high school wrestling. We explain how the postseason works, why the senior division matters, and which weight classes and matchups look most competitive. Guest Eddie Kohley breaks down sectionals, shares State tips for families and first-time attende...

This episode previews IKWF sectionals with a special focus on the girls' senior division, outlining the pressure, match dynamics, and what separates state qualifiers from the rest. Coach Eddie Kohley joins host Lena to discuss maturity, mental toughness, coaching and parental support, key weights to watch, and how wrestlers can recover and refocus after a loss. Eddie Kohley is a coach of 9 years....

This episode explores the current state and future of girls wrestling in Illinois, covering growth trends, co-ops, sectional balance, and the possibility of splitting into 1A/2A divisions. Guests discuss fairness, best practices for co-ops, and how new programs (like ISA) could affect the high school pipeline. The conversation emphasizes practical steps to increase participation, create fairer com...

The IHSA Girls Wrestling State Finals are here—and whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned wrestling family, State weekend can feel big. In this episode of the Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast, host Lena Burkut is joined by Michael James Hamilton for a full Girls State Preview—including how the weekend works, what wrestlebacks mean, what to watch for in real time, and State predictions. ...

Regionals are over and sectionals turn the postseason serious — where top-four state qualifiers are made and one matchup can flip a weight class. Coach Mike Hamilton breaks down how sectionals work, how brackets and seeding affect outcomes, recovery and weight tips, and what creates upsets. Plus a full preview with picks, key matchups, and what to watch from Schaumburg, DeKalb, and beyond. Coach M...

This episode is a rapid-fire "wrestling translator" for parents, explaining ten common folkstyle terms—what they mean, when they matter, and how they can affect a match. Includes practical sideline tips, three smart questions to ask your coach, and an interview with senior wrestler Valeria Pisantes on mindset, recovery, and recruiting.   Special Guest: Valeria Pesantes, Elk Grove High School Senio...

Right after a loss your brain tells a story, but loss is information, not identity. In this episode we share three practical tools you can use immediately: a short post-match script to stop emotional bleeding, a 24-hour rule to protect your identity, and a three-pass video review to build confidence. Plus tips for athletes, parents, and coaches on what to say and do between matches to reset and pr...

In this episode, host Lena Burkut and Coach Jack Tinsley break down a simple, three-layer goal-setting system for wrestlers and families: outcome, performance, and process. They cover age- and experience-based goals for beginners, intermediate families, and high school athletes, and explain how to pick one goal per bucket (skills, body, mindset) to build consistent progress. Listeners learn practi...

This episode addresses common parental fears about girls wrestling and explores what happens when families say yes: interviews with a wrestling mom, a high school athlete, and a coach reveal how proper coaching, community support, and personal growth make the sport safe, empowering, and transformative. Listeners will hear practical safety practices, mental and physical benefits, and real advice fo...

If you're new to wrestling, this episode answers common questions about safety, gear, tournaments, weight management, nutrition, injuries, and how to find a supportive club and coach. We also share the story of Kate Diehl, a freshman who started in middle school, found confidence through club wrestling, learned from early struggles, and now competes proudly — a reminder that beginners belong and p...

Coach Sarah Doty of Edwardsville Wrestling Club and head coach of Team Illinois walks through her journey into wrestling and how Team Illinois supports girls across the state. The episode covers freestyle vs. folkstyle, how athletes qualify for state, regional, and Fargo Nationals, the Duals experience, travel logistics, costs, and fundraising options. Sarah also explains typical training cycles,...

Coach David Tortorici returns to discuss safe, realistic weight-management and tournament-day fueling for girls' wrestling. He shares three simple rules—"nibble, nibble, sip, sip," choose nutrient-dense carbs and proteins, and prioritize hydration—plus tips on between-match snacks, recovery, and avoiding gimmicky nutrition trends. The episode also covers when to seek a sports nutrition professiona...

This episode breaks down wrestling nutrition and safe weight management for growing female athletes: how to fuel for performance, hydrate properly, and make weight without harming long-term health. Host Lena Burkut and coach Devin Tortorice share practical tips for day-to-day eating, pre/post-match fueling, hydration strategies, red flags to watch for, and how puberty and hormones affect girls — e...

In episode 4, Host Lena Burkut explores why starting wrestling in high school can be an excellent choice for girls, covering maturity, structured coaching, off-season training, and the realities of weight classes. The episode features Wheeling High School senior Elise Burkut — a two-time IHSA state qualifier and 2025 state runner-up — who shares her journey from a freshman beginner to an elite com...

In episode 3, The Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast with host Lena explores whether middle school is the best time to start wrestling, sharing real stories, expert tips, and practical guidance for athletes, parents, and coaches. This episode covers school teams versus club options, girls competing in boys divisions, USA Wrestling membership, tournament opportunities, training commitments, and balan...

In episode 2, host Lena breaks down when to start wrestling — tots (6 and under), bantams (7–8), and intermediates (9–10) — covering readiness, what to expect at tournaments, season and age rules, registration costs, and common benefits and challenges of beginning young. Featuring Coach Jay of Wheeling Wildcats, this episode offers practical milestones, tournament and practice advice, tips to avoi...