In the heart of the Buckeye State SPIRE is in the process of creating a dynamic high school wrestling program poised to redefine the landscape of scholastic sports. With a rich history of producing top-tier athletes across various disciplines, Ohio's latest venture into the world of wrestling is also quite promising.

Empowering Youth through Sport

Wrestling isn't just a sport; it's a transformative experience that instills discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence in its participants. Ohio's new high school wrestling program embodies this ethos, offering young athletes a platform to not only hone their physical skills but also cultivate invaluable life lessons that will serve them far beyond the mat.

SPIRE's efforts to create excellence are paying off, and its graduates are grateful for their experience. 80% of this year's graduating class found their SPIRE experience so formative that they'll be returning for a post-grad year in the fall.

Expert Coaching and Mentorship

Central to the success of any athletic program is the quality of coaching it provides. Ohio's wrestling program boasts a roster of seasoned coaches and mentors who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Head coach Mike Kulczycki and his staff focus on individualized training, technique refinement, and mental preparation. These mentors are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of wrestling champions because they feel called to this work. Bobby Kaleel, SPIRE's director of performance explained that, “The people at the top realize that this isn't a job. This is my passion.”

Fostering Camaraderie and Team Spirit

While wrestling is often perceived as an individual sport, the camaraderie and team spirit forged on the mats at SPIRE are unparalleled. Ohio's high school wrestling program emphasizes the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and mutual support, fostering a tight-knit community of athletes who push each other to achieve greatness.

Opportunities for Growth and Achievement

For aspiring wrestlers, SPIRE offers a myriad of opportunities for growth and achievement. Whether it's local tournaments, statewide competitions, or national events, athletes will have the chance to test their skills against formidable opponents, showcase their talents on a larger stage, and vie for prestigious titles and accolades.

In the last year, SPIRE's women's team finished 10th out of 41 teams at Powerade despite only entering two wrestlers. Additionally, both Brogan Fielding and Joelle Scott earned 4-0 records at the John Carroll Open (a college tournament) while still in high school. This season was filled with strong performances and tournament titles for a number of the team's wrestlers.

Building a Legacy of Excellence

Ohio has a storied tradition of producing elite athletes who go on to achieve greatness at the collegiate and international levels. With the launch of its high school wrestling program, the state is poised to continue this legacy of excellence, grooming the next generation of wrestling prodigies who will proudly represent Ohio on the national and global stage.

Coaches Kulczycki and Kaleal aren't resting on their laurels after a solid season. Instead, they're looking toward the future with focuses on research and development, sports science, and technique. They're off to a good start, but their eyes are on excellence.

About SPIRE Academy

SPIRE Academy is a comprehensive academic, athletic & personal skills, college & career development boarding school located within a world class event and wellness complex. Constructed on 800+ acres and 850,000 sq. ft. under roof, SPIRE Academy (spireacademy.com) encompasses five divisions: SPIRE Academy & Camps, an accredited college preparatory international boarding school and multi-sport/specialty training and development academy for 9-12 graders and a post grad program; SPIRE Leagues, Clubs & Professional Teams, including SPIRE Academy affiliated leagues and club programs: SPIRE Events, a facility and team that hosts local, national and international tournaments and events with the NCAA, the Big East, Big Ten and Atlantic 10 conferences, Olympic trials and world championship qualifiers; SPIRE Institute, the research and development arm, studying performance improvement across multiple disciplines through corporate affiliations and university relationships; and SPIRE Fit, a community membership-based fitness, swim, personal training and health center open to the public. Sports currently featured on campus include men's and women's basketball, esports, lacrosse (men only), soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball (women only), and wrestling.