Grit Wrestling Academy

This registration session will allow you to complete contact information, sign up for participation, and submit payment.

Campers going into K, 1st and 2nd Grades will have camp sessions Monday through Thursday 9:00am-10:30am. With our younger campers we will work on basics, movements and awareness. Along with learning we expect our campers to have fun! Our goal is to provide a fun and safe wrestling experience for our campers. We know we have done the right thing when our campers level each day tired with a smile!  

Campers going into 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades camp times will be 11:30am-1:30pm Monday through Thursday. Our campers will have the opportunity to be in groups depending on their level of knowledge and experience. We will divide up our campers into two main groups when learning technique. Our teaching is always based in the fundamentals of the sport of wrestling. The two groups will have plenty of time to work together when participating in games, activities and friendly competition. 

Campers going into 6th, 7th and 8th Grades camp times will be 2:00pm-4:00pm Monday through Thursday. For those that have experience in the sport of wrestling or they just started wrestling here is an opportunity to learn and expand on your knowledge. Our focus is always on the basic skills of wrestling first, then we introduce more complex and fun techniques. We will also have live wrestling with partners your size and skill level to work on what you have learned.

Grit Wrestling Academy provides athletes in Hamilton county and the surrounding areas quality training in the sport of wrestling for ages 4-18. We are Located in Westfield and our practices are held at the Westfield Middle School wrestling room (345 W Hoover St, Westfield, IN 46074). Our main goal is to instill an understanding and confidence in this great sport of wrestling to propel your young athlete to a new level. The building blocks of our academy focus on teaching quality technique, building work ethic, self esteem, improved physical health and sportsmanship. We are accepting new athletes who have a desire to learn and gain a greater understanding of this great sport. 

Please direct questions to: gritwrestlingacademy@gmail.com

Coaches Information 

John Kopnisky

• 1995 ISWA Freestyle State Runner-up

• 1996 ISWA Freestyle State Champion 

• 1996 USA Wrestling Freestyle Southwest Regional Champion

• 1996 3rd Place State Finisher  

• 3 Time State Qualifier, 2 Time Semi-State Champion, 3 Time Regional Champion, 3 Time Sectional Champion

• 1997 State Champion 40-0 record and an overall high school record of 125-5 

• 4 year letterman and 3 year Captain at University of Missouri 

• 3 Time NCAA qualifier with a 106 wins 

• 3 Time Recipient of Wrestler of the Year from the University of Missouri 

• 2001 Big 12 Athlete of the Month 

• 13 years of High School Head Coaching experience at Rock Bridge HS and Carmel HS and assistant coaching at Westfield High School has had the please of having 29 State Qualifiers, 11 State placers and 3 Finalists

• Head Coach for Keystone Wrestling Club K-12 program for 5 years 

• Founded and Former President of the Carmel USA Wrestling Club 

Thomas Griffin

• 100+ High School Wins

• 2006 IHSAA State Qualifier 

• 2008 HCAC Conference Champion

• Wrestled in College at Mount St. Joseph University

• 10 years of High School Coaching

• 2012 and 2013 Middle School National Duals Coach

• Coach for Team Indiana Pittsburgh All-Star Classic 2022  

Justin Miller

• 2017 IHSAA State Qualifier

• Trine University Collage Wrestler 

• High School Assistant Coaching 2021-2023