Coaches
Head Coach Mike Flanagan
Coach Flanagan has been with CWC for over 10 years. He wrestled throughout high school and college. He wrestled as a Missouri Tiger for some time.
Coach Flanagan brings a passion for wrestling to the team as well as a love of kids. He ensures that they learn techniques while they are having fun.
Mike's Philosophy of Wrestling
More times than not, wrestling matches are won with the basics:
- A good solid stance in the neutral position
- Using your lines of defense - head, hands, elbows, and hips
- Good hip position while on top
- Being able to score consistently from the bottom position
At any level, these are the basics fundamentals that will enable kids to consistently win matches. Knowing more moves does not always mean better. Knowing a few moves really, really well does, however, mean better. It is not possible to spend too much time mastering the basics. When kids try to learn a lot of moves before they know the basics, it usually results in a lot of frustration and not much success.
Most successful wrestlers know a lot of takedowns and reversals, yet in the majority of their matches they routinely score points with the same few moves. The best wrestlers have mastered the basics and perfected a handful of moves they do well enough that they can score on almost anybody.
The goal of The Columbia Wrestling Club is to teach kids at all different levels the basic fundamentals listed above. We concentrate throughout the year on drills designed to improve balance and help kids learn how to defend themselves. In wrestling, as in most sports, the best offense is a good defense. Kids that learn how to use their lines of defense and keep their body and hips in good position can then develop a successful offense. However, if a kid does not use his lines of defense well it will be very difficult to defend and almost impossible to have a successful offense.
Coach Bucky Pescaglia
Coach Pescaglia did not wrestle as a youth but his 3 sons have been wrestling for years. His oldest wrestles for the Missouri Tigers and his 2 younger sons wrestle for Hickman High School. He loves the sport and teaching youth wrestling.
Coach Eric Williamson
Coach Williamson wrestled for Helias High School where he took 2nd in state. He wrestled in the Mid MO Wrestling Club for 8 years as a youth. Eric really enjoys the sport of wrestling and teaching kids.
Coach Jeff Davis
Coach Davis never wrestled as a youth but his 3 sons are all avid wrestlers. Jeff became involved in CWC when his eldest son turned 10 and joined CWC. His 2 older boys now wrestle for Rock Bridge HS and his youngest, Brock, is with us at CWC. Jeff is very involved with his kids and loves teaching wrestling.
Coach John Drage
Coach Drage started wrestling in Jr. High and has loved the sport ever since. He thinks the sport is a great character builder. Team sports are great but games are often won or lost based on what other individuals in the team do. Wrestling comes down to the performance of each individual which will build character. He has 3 sons who are all wrestling at CWC.
Coach Greg Wiswall
Coach Wiswall never wrestled as a youth but he has been exposed to wrestling his whole life. His son, Landon, is wrestling with CWC and he enjoys supporting his son and helping out the team.
Coach Mike Jennings
Coach Jennings grew up wrestling and watching some of the greats in Del City, Oklahoma (hometown of 2X Olympic champ John Smith). He learned to appreciate the discipline, dedication and work ethic it takes to succeed in wrestling. Invaluable life lessons are taught through wrestling and is one of the best sport exposures a child can have.