By: Libby Gowen
Middle and high school wrestlers jog laps around the gym to warm up for their Monday night practice. Genesis Wrestling Club is a Christian-based wrestling club based in Ludowici with locations in Statesboro and Blackshear.
Middle school-aged wrestlers perform a ladder drill while head coach Breighton Flores (right) and volunteer coach Kirby Ryan (center) encourage them. Many of the coaches at Genesis are there on a volunteer basis, out of their love of the wrestling community.
Breighton Flores (center) yells encouragement and instructions to the high school wrestlers. Genesis Wrestling Club Statesboro caters to kids from youth wrestling up to high school, with practices on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.
Head coach Breighton Flores (center) gives wrestlers instructions on how to improve their technique. "Use it or lose it," Flores stated multiple times during the practice, emphasizing how important the basics are.
Middle school-aged wrestlers perform hand fighting. This is an important drill that helps wrestlers improve balance, control their opponents' posture, and create openings for takedowns.
Head coach Breighton Flores gives motivation and instruction for the next drill. Genesis Wrestling Club focuses on its wrestlers' development of key skills over flashy moves and shortcuts.
Coach Kirby Ryan (left) gives middle school pointers on how to improve their technique. "Fundamentals, discipline, and consistency come first at our gym," said head coach Breighton Flores.
High school wrestlers practice hand fighting into a shot. This drill involves hand fighting and, when the opportunity is right, attempting to take down the opponent.
During the hand-fighting into a shot drill, one high school wrestler attempts to take down another. In addition to practices, Genesis Wrestling Club Statesboro offers private lessons, parent training access, and strength and conditioning.
Head coach Breighton Flores (top center) demonstrates the next drill with volunteer coach Troy Martin (bottom center). Breighton Flores is a former collegiate wrestler, graduating from Truett McConnell University, where he competed all four years.
Two high school wrestlers practice the drill that coach Breighton Flores showed them how to do. Genesis Wrestling Club is not a team, but a gym where athletes improve their skills and get opportunities to compete in tournaments.
Head coach Breighton Flores (center left) demonstrates the next drill with volunteer coach Kirby Ryan (center right). Flores credits the gym's success to the Christ-centered and hands-on approach.
Head coach Breighton Flores (center) motivates the wrestlers as they do burpees on his command. "I know you're tired, but I don't care. I'm not saying that to be mean; I just want you guys to be the best you can be," Flores said.
Two high school wrestlers practice to improve their skills for competition. Next door to Ogeechee Technical College, Genesis Wrestling Club Statesboro is located at 26 Joe Kennedy Boulevard, Statesboro, Georgia.
In front of motivational signage, head coach Breighton Flores instructs and encourages his wrestlers. "Our goal is to build disciplined, confident young men and women who are prepared for whatever comes next," Flores said.
Two middle school wrestlers tap hands before the start of their final drill of the evening. Tapping hands in wrestling is used to symbolize the start of a match or drill.
Middle and high school wrestlers jog around the gym as a warm-down as their practice ends. Warming up and down is key to recovery in all sports to prevent injury.
Head Coach Breighton Flores (center) leads his wrestlers in prayer to close out the practice. It is clear that Flores and the rest of the coaching staff are committed to helping their athletes be the best people they can be, on and off the mat.
