Chisago Lakes Wrestling

Wildcat Wrestling – High Expectations

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it but that it is too low and we achieve it”
Michelangelo

A meticulously arranged display of Chisago Lakes Wildcats wrestling gear laid out on a clean, dark rubber wrestling mat. A forest-green and black singlet with bold white “Wildcats” lettering is folded precisely beside a pair of well-worn headgear, matte black wrestling shoes with scuffed soles, and a neatly coiled green jump rope. The polished wooden bleachers of a high school gym fade softly into the background. Overhead gym lights cast even, bright illumination, creating subtle reflections on the mat and clear, professional detail throughout the scene. Photographed at eye level with a slightly angled composition and moderate depth of field, the image feels organized, serious, and informational, with a photographic realism that matches a professional school athletics website.

Mission

To enable students to find connection, belonging, and purpose beyond the classroom.

To help students become selfless adults who diligently pursue their goals with moral courage and a positive outlook.

To set permanently in the students mind that they are loved and accepted for who they are, not what they do or accomplish, and that they have something of importance and significance to offer the world.

Success Defined

As a program, we will not focus on winning but rather the development of the student athlete in the pursuit of reaching what they are fully capable of. We will teach our wrestlers to control what they can control; their effort, their habits, their skills, and their outlook.

We want our athletes to define success like the famous coach, John Wooden did: “The peace of mind that comes from the satisfaction that you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable of.” This can only happen if we turn our focus to our habits and leave the results up to what they can produce.

Attack Style of Wrestling

At Chisago Lakes, we will execute an Attack Style of wrestling. We will master specific moves that will be our strengths.

“Master” means:

  • I execute it without thinking about it
  • I execute it flawlessly without sloppiness
  • I finish it or progress to the next strength effortlessly

We will relentlessly execute our strengths before our opponent has a chance to execute theirs. Therefore, we will not spend time on our opponent’s strengths.

We will out hustle and out last our opponents

Strength & Conditioning

In order to out hustle and out last our opponents, we will train using four different structures of workouts. This strategy will build mentally tough and disciplined wrestlers who react faster, recover quicker, and perform stronger than the competition.

Tabata Drills
  • 4-minute explosive intervals (20 sec work / 10 sec rest × 8)
  • Boosts cardiovascular endurance and anaerobic power
  • Improves conditioning with short, intense workouts
Shamrock Drill
  • Circuit-style training with sprints, pushups, sit-ups, running, and more
  • Develops total-body endurance, strength, and mental toughness
  • Minimal equipment required
AMRAP Workouts
  • “As Many Rounds/Reps As Possible” in a set time
  • Combines strength + cardio in efficient 5–20 minute sessions
  • Builds grit, resilience, and measurable progress
Active Recovery
  • Improves flexibility and lowers injury risk
  • Walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, and mobility work
  • Speeds recovery, reduces soreness, and prevents burnout