Meet the Coaches
More Than Coaches: Meet the Mentors Who Build Discipline, Character, and Competitive Excellence On and Off the Mat.
Nick Stever
Coach Nick grew up wrestling in the Central Valley of California. He wrestled for one of the top wrestling programs in the state of California- Oakdale High School. He also wrestled at the collegiate level for Modesto Junior College. He was in a league and sub-section place. He is happily married with two sons who compete for the San Clemente Youth Wrestling Club. This year marks Coach Nick’s 20th year coaching youth sports. He also serves as a Principal of a local middle school. In his free time, he enjoys the beach, skiing, training, and most of all, quality family time.
Joe Morales
Coach Joe played football and wrestled in high school and college before beginning his coaching journey in 1985. He has been coaching youth sports for over 33 years and has a deep passion for watching his youth athletes succeed not only in sports but in life. Joe is happily married with two sons who have been wrestling with the San Clemente Youth Wrestling club and have moved on to the San Clemente High School team. When he isn’t in the SC wrestling room, you will find him on the mats at Gracie-Barra Brazilian Jiu-jitsu as an instructor for the youth competition team.
Coach Tony
Coach Tony just recently moved to San Clemente in October of 2017. Originally from New England, he wrestled for one of the top high schools in the state of Connecticut. He was the captain of his wrestling team in his senior year, 2 times all all-conference champion, and was ranked 7th in his state in his junior year. The Ohio State University was looking at Tony for a possible wrestling scholarship until he tore his ACL in his senior year. Since then, Tony has developed a great passion for coaching youth athletes. He enjoys watching them not only excel in sports, but also grow as individuals. Tony has been coaching youth sports for 12 years now and was a high school physical education and health teacher before relocating to beautiful California. Tony is happily married with 2 children who are his everything. His son, Devin, participates in the beginner-level wrestling team. Outside of coaching, Tony loves fitness, rock climbing, yoga, and being a dad!
Our Other Wrestling Coaches
Coach Chad
Coach Dominic
Coach Joe
Coach Jake
Coach Shawn
Coach Russ
Want to join the team?
“I can say wrestling benefited my child hugely. I signed up for a camp and came back for the season. My son played basketball during the season and wrestling made him get in there and fight for the ball in basketball. Wrestling carried over into his first year of tackle right now and definitely gave him an edge. He loved having a sport that winning or losing depended only on him. I can’t say enough about coming out. He learned a defensive life skill, and tested himself.”
Jennifer - Parent
Testimonials
What Athletes Say
Practicing with this community has been truly transformative. The guidance is tactical, the atmosphere is challenging, and the results are lasting. I feel more disciplined and stronger after every session
Each session deepens my connection to physical endurance and mental grit. It’s more than just conditioning, it’s a lifestyle that supports toughness and competitive focus
“Their sessions helped me find calm and clarity. Each class brings peace and strength I carry into daily life. I’ve never felt more connected to my body and mind.”
Jennifer
Parent
FAQs
Answer Of Some Wresteling Questions
1. What equipment does my child need to start?
Your child only needs basic athletic wear (T-shirt, shorts) for their first few practices. Once they commit, the essential gear includes wrestling shoes (required for safety and grip) and headgear (highly recommended to prevent ear injuries). We recommend wearing clean practice clothes every session.
2. Is wrestling safe for children?
Yes. Safety is our top priority. We start all beginners with fundamental movements and controlled drills. Our coaches teach proper technique, how to fall safely, and the importance of respecting their partners to minimize risk. Wrestling is a highly structured contact sport, which teaches body control and awareness.
3. What is the difference between the Beginner and Advanced classes?
Beginner Class: Focuses on foundational skills, basic rules, stance, motion, and core takedowns. It is designed for new wrestlers with little to no experience.
Advanced Class: Focuses on high-level technique, chain wrestling, competition strategy, and intensive live drilling. It is for experienced wrestlers (typically 2+ years) ready to compete.
4. When can my child start competing in tournaments?
The decision to compete is made by the coach and the parent together. For most beginners, we recommend a minimum of 4–6 weeks of consistent practice to ensure they are comfortable with the basics before entering a tournament. Our focus is preparation over premature competition.
5. What age group is your program designed for?
Our classes are generally designed for children aged 5 through 14. Please check the specific class descriptions for the exact age ranges offered for our Beginner and Advanced programs.
Can we try a practice before signing up?
Absolutely! We encourage all prospective wrestlers to take advantage of our Trial a Practice program. This allows your child to attend one (1) free class risk-free to experience the environment, meet the coaches, and decide if our club is the right fit. Contact us to schedule your trial session!
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