MONROE — Summertime is a time for many youngsters to perfect their skills in baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and football. Wrestling has become another sport for young athletes to use the summer to prepare for competition. The Monroe Wrestling Club has arranged for the Askren Wrestling Academy to provide instruction this summer for wrestlers grades 5-12. The Academy is led by Ben Askren, a two-time state champion wrestler from Hartland Arrowhead, who wrestled collegiately at Missouri. Patrick Spray of Madison, is a member of the Askren Wrestling Academy and is teaching the young wrestlers in sessions at Monroe High School.

Spray said he is teaching kids “to love the sport and embrace everything about it.” A group of 14 to 24 kids are participating in the sessions. 

“With younger kids, you teach the fundamentals, technique, skills, and position,” Spray said

Spray encourages kids to compete in multiple sports and said. 

“If they want to be in a lot of sports, that’s a good thing. But, if it’s one or two sports, that’s good, too,” he said.

Just in the past few years, girls wrestling has grown considerably and Spray said he likes what he sees. 

“I think it’s awesome. It’s only going to get bigger and better.”

In addition to girls wrestling, Spray said he is seeing more commitment from the athletes. 

“It’s no longer a two or three month commitment,” said Spray. “Now, the athletes are training for wrestling year round and that’s a good thing for any group to have.” 

Spray is the manager of the Askren Wrestling Academy’s Madison location and began his position after he finished his wrestling career.