References
|
Greg Verela (Gilroy High School)
Many years ago Carolyn asked my what I was doing to prepare my wrestlers for college. I didn’t have a good answer. I wanted to help my team in this area I just didn’t know how. Carolyn Wester has been assisting me with my wrestlers education plans for seven years now. Her knowledge of test dates, and college requirements helped plan my wrestlers academic schedules, leading to admissions to universities all over the nation. Carolyn has done college prep presentations for my high school team and their parents as well as my club team parents and kids. I feel the information Carolyn covers in her presentations clearly informs parents of ALL the problems you might encounter in the public school system. Thank you to Carolyn and her college prep program for all her time in effort she has put in to helping my kids succeed in the wrestling room and in life. Greg Varela Gilroy High Gilroy Hawks Mike Krause
” I travel the Nation doing camps all year long and have made a few stops into the Wrestling Prep Center. Carolyn Wester is doing great things for the young men and women who go there. She not only runs a tough practice that combines gymnastics and wrestling to help your body understand whats going on when we work the seven skills in wrestling. But even more, she makes every attempt to keep her wresters (kids) on the right path and into the college thats “the best college for me”!!! With the help of CC Fisher, who was on the Olympic ladder in BOTH styles, she has the elite level athletes needs covered too! Being a Kentucky transplant you’ll feel the home cooked love the minute you meet Carolyn….but make no mistake she is the BOSS!!! ” Matt Valenti Flo Wrestling Guest Commentator NXT LVL Youth Camp Matt Valenti
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Carolyn over the past two years. Every day I am more impressed with her knowledge of our sport and her connection to both the community and the wrestlers. After watching a few of her practices it became very clear that Carolyn understands what it takes to become a successful wrestler. I could write about her coaching ability all day but her results truly speak for themselves. Carolyn’s influence extends well beyond the mat however. She guides wrestlers to be true student-athletes and well-rounded people. You will be hard-pressed to find a coach who truly cares for wrestlers as much as Carolyn! Matt Valenti 2X NCAA Champion 3X NCAA All American Head Assistant Coach – University of Pennsylvania Zeke Jones – USA National Freestyle Coach It’s been a crazy several days but I wanted to say how much I enjoyed getting to know you and the Welch family throughout the last few months. You are truly a class act and have served the Welch’s with the highest regard. Let’s still keep in touch and let me know how you are. Regards, Zeke Jones HEAD COACH UNITED STATES OLYMPIC TEAM USA National Freestyle Head Coach 1991 World Champion 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist
Roger Bohannan - Father of Mark Bohannan My son, my wife and I know Carolyn as one of the most giving and caring individuals when it comes to running wrestling camps and youth mentorship. I first became aware of Carolyn’s efforts in wrestling through Carolyn’s Internet marketing. Carolyn’s web site was a topic of discussion just today while driving my son to school. I finally met Carolyn at the camp I sent my son, Mark Bohannan, to over this past summer. My son has attended a number of hightly respected wrestling camps, Fargo ND, Stanford, and Azavedo. He found Carolyn’s camp, facilitated by CC Fisher, was the most comprehensive and complete week of wrestling that he was ever experienced. To this day he has kept notes and a journal just to ensure he has study notes for all the lessons learned at the camp. Carolyn as an individual wrestling coach is a blessing. Her contact with my my son has been instrumental in his developmet. Her personal approach and real involvement in my son’s success is refreshing. I would have to say I am an involved father when it comes to my son’s development. I am not a wrestling coach and my experience in the sport has been only over the past three years, ever since my son came home and told me “he joined the wrestling team.” My son loves wrestling and I find it a matter of personal responsibility as a father to ensure he has the best instruction and outlets to be the best he can be in his chosen endeavours. Thet is the way I chose to raise my children. Chose a commitment. Be the best you can and do not look back saying you could have done more. For my older son, that meant ultimately playing D1 Baseball for Lousiana Tech. But achieving that goal meant a lot of hard work searching out the best instruction, teams and equipment along the way. For Mark it’s wrestling. Carolyn is one of the identified individuals that I will continue to engage as my son needs mentoring and wrestling training. I have no doubt that Carolyn is a great coach and mentor. Her partnership with CC Fisher and the facility are important to my son’s development. I know a great coach when I see one. Carolyn is a great coach. Roger Bohannan - Father of Mark Bohannan Northgate High School Victor Pereira - Father of Victor Pereira Carolyn Wester provides one of the few if not only opportunities for kids in this area to excel in this sport. She provides low cost camps, which is key in the current state of the economy. Many on the top wrestlers in the state can attest to these types of camps as the key ingredient to their success. My son’s experience was invaluable to say to least. He is able to have conversations with young adults with similar interests. At the camps they share and discuss personal goals as well as methods to achieve them . The college wrestlers provided insight to current high school athletes that are in preparation for going through the admissions process and selecting a college in the near future. The experience we have had is as a result of all the hard work and efforts of Ms Carolyn Wester. She is the common denominator when speaking to all the different student athletes. Everolyn has their own school, coachs, and partners, but Carolyn is known by many as the resource that brings people together for the betterment of the community. Victor Pereira- Father of Victor Pereira 2X National Cadet Freestyle All American CA State Finalist 2X CA State Placer 2010 Cadet Freestyle State Champion
Ross Camdeville It is with great pleasure that I recommend Carolyn Wester as a wrestling coach. I have worked withCarolyn since 2007 on numerous community initiatives involving wrestling in the San Francisco bay area.To lend credibility to this recommendation, here are some facts about me. I am a 31 year old OperationsDirector at a San Francisco internet firm. My professional career has included managing people for over10 years. Additionally, I have worked as a youth sports coach for 14 years. I am a black belt in shotokankarate, and had sole responsibility for training hundreds of 6-16 year olds. I coached tennis and soccer atsummer sports camps, including a 10-week boarding program. I have been involved with wrestling in theSan Francisco bay area since 2005. I currently coach at Stuart Hall High School in San Francisco (‘10-11), and previously coached at Mission High School (2008-10). During my tenure at Mission, my teamconsistently increased their point standing at the league championship year-over-year.In 2007, I was involved in the Cardinal Wrestling Club. Together with Kevin Wilson, Carolyn openedan opportunity to bring college-level training to aspiring wrestlers with a convenient schedule at a lowcost. Under Carolyn’s direction, the club was largely successful – most notably due to her desire toenable, motivate, and encourage all wrestlers regardless of skill or financial situation – to participate.Once Carolyn moved on, the character of the club changed, and now feels like an exclusive, expensiveprogram only for elite athletes.Now through gracious donations of all kinds from the local community, Carolyn opened a state of theart wrestling complex in San Jose. With resident coaches, 4500 sq ft of mat space, parents lounge, andconvenient location, she is making high level wrestling opportunities available to everyone. Carolyn hasno alliance to any school or program, she only seeks to do the best for the wrestlers that walk through herdoor.I’ve observed Carolyn in many facets of wrestling. I have watched her coach hundreds of practices,as well as encourage wrestlers mat side at tournaments. She has an engaging, warm personality, thatresonates well with children. She is energetic and positive, exerting just the right amount of authority.While Carolyn may not have NCAA wrestling credentials, she certainly knows wrestling from both thetechnical and coaching side. Carolyn has been involved in wrestling for decades: she has seen the past,and she knows what is going on now. She takes a holistic approach to coaching – including diet, nutrition,academic excellence, college preparation, and emotional readiness – which lives with her wrestlers longafter their high school graduation.The ultimate proof is in the results. Throughout the past 4 years, I have seen Carolyn turn 100’s of boysinto men through wrestling. She has solely and personally changed lives for the better. Her programs setup high school wrestlers to succeed by bringing out the best in everyone. Sincerely Ross M. Capdeville Operations Director, Vertical Response, Inc. Wrestling Coach, Stuart Hall High School
Jim and Sue Roberts (Parents of Travis Roberts) Carolyn has been a true inspiration to our son in wrestling. She has shown so much love and passion for this sport it is indescribable. Carolyn puts in countless hours and dedication to each and every kid from all age groups who has the desire to succeed in this sport. Her ability doesn’t stop with just wrestling as she teaches Flex classes, Core strengthening and the proper nutrients and diet that goes along with wrestling. We have seen 1st hand her love for the kids the sport and her unselfishness and her willingness to help everyone succeed to their ability in this sport. Carolyn I must say your dedication to this sport and the kids is immeasurable. The Roberts family is so very grateful for what you and CC Fisher has done for our son Travis. We only wish that we had met the two of you a few years earlier. With your help, Travis has made great gains and strides towards his goals. We can’t thank you enough. You have been the backbone towards Travis’ success and we look forward for his senior year and his college years ahead.
Jim, Sue and Travis Roberts 3 X League Champion ( WCAL ) 2 X CCS Placer State Qualifier
Mikal Mckee
This summer I attended CC Fisher’s wrestling camp at Katl Wrestling Ranch in Half Moon Bay, CA. THis camp was a great opportunity for me. It gave me a chance to improve on some of my skills and techniques before the upcoming season. I got to work with not only a world class coaach but also top sollegiate competition as well. I recommend this camp to anyone who wants to become a better wrestler. If anyone has any questions please contact me because I strongly reccomend her to any wrstler out there.
Mikal Mckee
University of North Carolina Greensboro
NCAA Qualifier
Her coaching has been excellent; during tournaments, Carolyn would travel to them and coach us. Simple things determined whether we would place at a tournament or go home with nothing. She would always keep things simple and easy to understand so we would focus on our match, such as keeping your body position in a certain way to have maximum strength. The open room workouts are by far the best wrestling practices I have attended. Its simple, show up and wrestle, which is what everyone wants to do in order to improve. This practices stand out the most because the practices I attend at my club are boring, the coach is always showing new technique everyday, some of which I have never used. Carolyn has taught me a lot of wrestling technique that fits my wrestling style and is always watching me wrestle to find new ways to improve. It is easy to communicate with her, and if for some reason I cannot travel to the practices, she is more than glad to pick me up and give me a ride.
One thing many coaches miss during practices is the need for a wrestler to be flexible and Carolyn makes sure we improve our flexibility. The warm-ups consist of many drills that are similar to yoga and along with her knowledge about the muscles in our body, we improve our flexibility and as well as strengthening small muscles that, the majority of wrestlers ignore but are necessary to become a better wrestler. When Carolyn is not coaching, she is giving nutritional advice to keep our weight down as well as what kinds of foods we need to eat in order to have the most amount of energy and improve our performance.
Carolyn has been by far the most helpful coach I had; her knowledge about wrestling is incredible and is always willing to help others who want to improve, no matter the level of wrestling from middle school to division 1-college wrestlers.
Erick Figueroa Terra Linda High School
2011 NCS Finalist
2011 CA State Qualifier |
Scotty Chessin
During my freshman year of wrestling, I wasn’t too sure I wanted to wrestle all the way up to my senior year but continued anyway. However, I did not see the true light of wrestling until I met CC Fisher and Carolyn Wester at an open room practice. These two changed the way I wrestled in a very positive way. CC was able to bring out the best in me using the capabilities God gave me and Carolyn always gave extremely useful advice regarding technique. Advice that made you that much more aware of your body. With the uplifting support of these two coaches, the transition from JV to Varsity was no problem and I made it to the state tournament my first year on Varsity. These two opened my eyes to what it really took to reach and wrestle at the state level. After my first year on Varsity, I was on a roll. I cannot recall a time when Carolyn wasn’t there supporting us with her undying love for each and every one of her wrestlers and the sport itself. Her passion for the sport is great and her friendly personality is a breath of fresh air which makes you feel the most welcome, especially if you’re new to the sport. In open room practices, Carolyn has a natural ability for teaching along with CC and she also has a very keen eye for what could make your wrestling just that much better. In her method, she catches the flaws that make the difference between losing and winning the match. While using 200% encouragement, Carolyn then teaches you the correct way to perfect the move. I went from a wrestler with a lack of technique to someone who knew the next best move on the mat. I would also have to say that Carolyn is very easy to trust because she knows what she’s doing. She can get you to use your body as a wrestling tool in ways that that you thought weren’t possible for you. Carolyn Wester shows you how to better yourself which is something that you carry with you for the rest of your life.
-ScottyChessin
2x CA State Qualifier
Jose Contreras – Father of Jacob Contreras
Carolyn – The wrestling season is here yeah. I am very excited for all the boys including in your rooms. Gosh your room is a who’s who of wrestling. Thank you for all you have done. We love you very much and are blessed to have you in our lives.
Jose Contreras – Father of Jacob Contreras
Saint Francis High School Graduating Class of 2011
Deb & Danny Rodebaugh – Parents of Cody Rodebaugh
I want to thank Carolyn for being the wonderful person she is. She is truely a blessing to my family. Carolyn has provided Cody the tools to take it to the next level. We’ve been looking for someone just like Carolyn and there she was.
We needed help with nutrition, weight management, work out locations, partners, and learning advanced techniques with good coaching. She has provided all of that and more. I love that bond she has with all the kids, she shows so much love and care towards them. She is highly respected and a pleasure to have as a coach.
The Rodebaughs – Parents of Cody Rodebaugh
2008 California State Greco Champion
2008 California Nationals Dual Team Member
2008 California Nationals Team Member, Greco
2009 CA CIF State Champion
2009 NHSCA Junior Nationals AA
2009 National Greco AA
2010 CA CIF State Runner UP
Sonia R. Beri
In the short time that I have grown to know Carolyn Wester, she has been nothing less than helpful. She devotes her time to all the wrestlers in the area who want to improve and further develop their skills. Carolyn open-heartedly invites everyone willing to work hard to train under her in the Wrestling Prep Facility. For all those who come to the facility, Carolyn makes them feel welcomed and encourages them to improve. She tries her best to go around throughout the practices, whether during open rooms or clinics, to make sure that all the wrestlers are getting the most out of their workout. One thing I’ve learned from Carolyn, which I constantly remind myself during practice, is that “if it’s worth doing, then it’s worth doing right”. She would constantly remind all the wrestlers of this during hard practices and we always make it through. This personally helps me through the beginning of practice during the gymnastics and tumbling portion because it is not easy but I have her there for encouragement to continue to improve. Aside from Carolyn making all the wrestlers feel comfortable and work hard, she has also proven very essential in helping them develop their technique.
Additionally, Carolyn has a very good understanding of the basic fundamental techniques associated with wrestling. This allows her the ability to merely watch an athlete and precisely tell them what they would need to adjust in order to get the most out of his or her offense and/or defense. She adjusts to each individual athlete’s needs and helps them correct their flaws. The wrestler’s experience is not as important as them being able to continue to learn and become better. The wrestler could be ten years old or twenty years old, she knows that they can still learn and get better. Also, she has shown to be very useful in further developing even a well-trained wrestler. For example, she would watch the way in which we execute a double leg takedown and correct it in order to deliver the most impact possible onto our opponent. While we drill she also tries to correct the way in which the wrestler approaches their opponent to get the most effective takedown. This is what Carolyn strives for throughout each practice, the chance to help someone improve on what they already know.
From all the long hours of wrestling and practicing with Carolyn have been extremely useful an effective. I have been able to improve on my own technique through her instruction and am now more confident with my own offensive technique. I’m happy that Carolyn is there to continue to help me grow as a wrestler, as well as help other to do so.
Sincerely,
Sonia R. Beri
Sam and Shannon Hawkes – Parents of Calvin Hawkes
To all Junior high and High School wrestlers and their parents:
We would like to recommend Carolyn Wester as a wrestling mentor. She has helped our son, Calvin Hawkes, in many ways. I know your son or daughter will be better off having Carolyn on their team.
I can honestly say that without Carolyn’s help, our son, Calvin, would not be going to college at New York University. Carolyn has connections all over the Bay Area, state and country. With her help, a dedicated young wrestler will be able to reach their full potential.
Sam and Shannon Hawkes – Parents of Calvin Hawkes
Los Gatos High School graduate
CCS Champ
2X CCS Placer
2X State Qualifier
Attending and wrestling for New York University
Judy Stevens – Parent of Dane Stevens (Mission San Jose, Lehigh University)
Fall 2008
He met Carolyn Wester at a clinic hosted at Los Gatos High School the August before Dane’s senior year. Carolyn was an extraordinary find at just the right time as we were contemplating college applications and Dane thought he really wanted to try and wrestle for a Div 1 team. Carolyn was incredibly instrumental in integrating Dane into the wrestling elite’s circle by inviting him to barbeque’s, setting up quality work out partners and invitations to clinics hosted by CC Fisher, and bringing national tournaments to our attention that we had no idea were essential to upping Dane’s game!
The confidence in meeting the best wrestlers in the state and entering tournaments in North Carolina (super 32) and Reno (TOC) helped Dane’s goals for himself and led to his best season on record.
I truly believe that Carolyn Wester is vital to any serious wrestler’s success. Carolyn brought nutrition to the forefront as a key building block to Dane’s wrestling regime. Aside from all of the benefits garnered from our relationship with Carolyn, she’s a true friend who always has the boy’s best interest at heart and makes her herself available as a confidant for each and every one of them! She’s remarkable and we are so fortunate to have met her!!
Judy Stevens – Mother of Dane Stevens
2008 Graduating Class, Scotts Valley High School
2X CCS Champion
2X state qualifier
2007 Coast Classic Champion
2008 Reno TOC Champion
2008 2nd Place Five Counties
2008 2nd place Mission San Jose
Currently attending and wrestling for Lehigh University
Alan Yen – Saratoga High School, Stanford University
There are a few people that know Carolyn Wester as the “Angel of CCS Wrestling”. There are many more people that know her as a selfless individual who spends much of her time and money helping wrestlers in the Central Coast Section. She offers many important things that wrestlers need besides the daily practice they receive from their respective teams. She offers food, nutritional advice, anatomical and physiological information, weight-training advice, advice on how to practice, extra practice, along with rides to and from many of her free practices held 2-4 times a week. Besides wrestling, she helps athletes with SAT prep and study skills. When CC Fisher, a well-known Olympic Training Center athlete visits California, she organizes open rooms and private sessions. She was an important part of several very successful wrestlers from both the Central Coast Section, and the North Coast Section. She has been a big part of my life as a wrestler, helping me to create a healthier wrestling lifestyle and providing me with a lot more training opportunities, whether it be with CC Fisher or other coaches that she is comfortable with. She plays no favorites, treating everyone with kindness and giving useful advice to all who seek it.
I have wondered why Carolyn would do all of this for us kids. I have never asked her, nor will I ever ask her, why she does so much, often free of charge, for kids who want or need help. I know of many others, who feel as bewildered by her acts of kindness as I do. I have only one guess as to why she would be so selfless: because she loves gratitude. For her to spend her life helping other people, being almost altruistic, only demanding gratitude in return is not a bad way to live.
Before I met Carolyn, I wanted to be a doctor. After all the time I have spent with her, my new goal is to become the doctor with the most potential to make changes in people’s lives. Her generosity, kindness, patience and optimism are traits I try to directly emulate. She often tells me, “Your fine, you’re all good.” I tell my fellow football players and my fellow wrestlers the same thing when they are distressed. She gives everyone rides to and from practice. I make sure that everyone has rides home after practices, even the people I do not know. I tell spread the advice she has given to me to other people, advice about nutrition and a lot about physiology. I try to teach everyone that asks me for advice, whether it be about football or wrestling, and I do my best to stay as patient as Carolyn. And as a credit to her almost complete altruism, she has inspired me to become the doctor who spends the most time in the emergency room, seeing patients an inch away from death and saving them. I decided that this would be a way for me to help people in the largest way. Working late into the night in a cold hospital, performing bloody surgery after bloody surgery while melting under ridiculous amounts of stress to save lives anonymously would not be a bad way to live.
Alan Yen
Graduating Class of 2010, Saratoga High School
Currently attending and wrestling for Stanford University
Morgan Flaharty – NCAA Div 1 Wrestler
Throughout my wrestling career I have found it extremely important to have any advantage over my opponent possible. With such a brutal sport, where every athlete is training hard, and wrestling every day, there might not be much leeway to all for significant improvement. But I was surely proved wrong with the genuine help of Carolyn Werster.
Many different techniques were applied to ensure that I maintained a healthy, and competitive lifestyle that would ensure an advantage over my opponent. My nutrition was the first thing addressed, before getting more in-touch with my personaly wrestling style, and how it could be improved upon. She emphasized key points on my diet to make sure I was getting enough food, while maintaining a good weight within the range of the class.
Secondly Carolyn took videos of my mathces and critiqued my positioning, as well as explained weak points in my style. With advice to better my position, she also included excersizes that would make the exexution of each more effective.
Carolyn Wester provided me with opportunites to compete with other wreslers, better partners, and also mat time outside my own wrestling room.
Through the advice, and tips Carolyn provided, I felt more confident in my abilities and more effective on the mat.
Morgan Flaharty
2X state qualifier
Member of 2007 California National Junior Team
Member of 2006 California National Cadet Team
Place Winner 2007 California State FILA GreccoCampionship
Place Winner 2007 California State FILA Freestyle Camp
Sean Gray – Boston University Wrestling
Carolyn’s passion for helping wrestlers explore opportunities at the collegiate level is tremendous. She is dedicated to the best interest of the athlete’s desire to accomplish goals at the next level.
Sean Gray
Co-Head Assistant Wrestling Coach, Boston University
2005 Mid – Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year
2X div 1 all american out of Virginia Tech
All Time Wins Leader, Winning Percentage, Pins and Single Season Pins at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech class of 2003
1999 Fila Junior National Freestyle Champion @138 lbs
3X prep National Champion
Blair Academy Class of 1999
Bob & Vanessa Drebin – Parents of Ryan Drebin (Palo Alto High School)
Carolyn and her wrestling web site were instrument in our sons success in high school. He started working with Carolyn on improving his diet, learning how to manage his weight and nutrition throughout the season and during matches. She encouraged him to use yoga to improve his core strength and flexibility. Carolyn also gave him a big boost when she attended tournaments. There is something about her voice that can break through the roar of the crowd, and her encouragement often gave him the last push to victory. After a tough loss, we could always find him with Carolyn working through the loss and getting motivated for his next match.
Thanks Carolyn!
Bob and Vanessa Drebin – Parents of Ryan Drebin
Graduating class of 2008, Palo Alto High School
Currently attending Brown University, graduating class of 2013
Robin Van Galder – Father of Casey Van Galder
It is my pleasure to recommend Carolyn Wester as it relates to any athlete that is either thinking about, or already participating in wrestling.
I have known Carolyn for just over a year. I came in contact with Carolyn during a local wrestling match, and I was totally impressed with her knowledge of the sport, her true interest in each of the athletes that she comes in contact with, and the desire to see each of the athletes succeed. The success that Carolyn desires sumes in many different ways, improving ones wrestling skills, eating the right foods, living a healthy life style and most of all, ensuring that each athlete is preparing them self to attend college. I have seen the strong focus she maintains in finding the best solution for each athlete.
In closing, I would like to re-emphasize the positive impact Carolyn has had on my soon. He looks forward to every workout that Carolyn sets up for the athletes. He is committed to doing the very best he can, and would like to keep wrestling as long as he possibly can. I know that Carolyn will always be there for my son.
Robin Van Galder – Father of Casey Van Galder
Granada High School graduating class of 2011
Tim and Bev Smith – Parents of Ryan Smith (Liberty High School)
Carolyn is like the “Queen” of wrestling! She has been extremely instrumental in personally assisting us wiht our son, Ryan, with his academics & wrestling career.
We so appreciate all the nutritional tips and recipes. She truly desires that these kids succeed with optimal strength and ability.
She goes above and beyond to assist them in taking reponsibility for being there best and helps them deiscover their place in society at large.
Her direct influence as well as the introduction to C.C. Fisher has made a major impact on both Ryan’s progress on the mat as well as in his confidence to succeed.
Tim & Bev Smith – Parents of Ryan Smith
Top 10 2008 Junior Freestyle Nationals @ 135
2009 NCS Champion
Liberty High School Class of 2009
Dan and Dianne Serrano – Parents of Eric Sarano (Santa Clara High School)
Our son’s WrestlingPrep experience has contributed to his success over the past three years. It has taught him to learn more advanced wrestling moves with the expertise of the various coaches Carolyn has made available. The nutrition and training education provided has improved his stamina during wrestling matches and tournaments. Sinces Eric’s involvement in the WrestlingPrep program, he has qualitied for CCS the last two years, has medaled in several tournaments and was also SCVAl 112 lb. Champion. Thanks you for your continued support!
Dan & Dianna Serrano – Parents of Eric Serrano
2008 SCVAL Champion @ 112
2008 SCVAL Championships for outstanding wrestling award recipient
Santa Clara graduating Class of 2009
Erik Engdahl – Father of Andrew and Brian Engdahl (Granada High School)
Carolyn Wester is a wonderful person who dedicates herself to continuous improvement in the life of every wrestler. Behind her sweet smile and southern hospitality you will find one of the sharpest knoledgeable minds in the sport and a formidable intellect. Carolyn is highly educated an very interested in helping wrestlers prepare for the academic rigors and athletic demands of NCAA wrestling.
Carolyn Teaches character, integrity and discipline. Her programs focus on all aspects of wrestling. She uses extremely strong communication skills to teach wrestlers how to improve their accademics, nutruition, flexiblity, core strength, body mechanics, speed, training habits, and mental preparation.
Carolyn is an excellent mat-side coach. She is able to tdraw from her vast memory, quick thinking, and extraordinary communication skills to help a wrestler reach their highest potential in any given muatch situation. Carolyn has a personal relationship with CC Fisher, a world class wrestler, and one of the best coaches in the country. Through Wrestling Prep you can gain access to CC and have him personally coach you high school wresler. We have been honored to have this opportunity for our sons.
Carolyn’s program exposes you to the highest level of open mat competition in California. Her contacts in the wrestling community are so substantial that she can easily find a world class coach to help a wrestler with a technical challenge. If you dedicate yourself to her program, you will learn how to a great wrestler and a person of character. I stonglyrecomend Carolyn and WrestlingPrep to any serious wrestler and specifically those who dream of wrestling in college.
Eric Engdahl (Father of Andrew and Brian Engdahl)
Andrew Engdahl
2008 State Qualifier
Eagle Scout
Granada High School Graduate of 2008
Currently attending Cal Poly University
Brian Engdahl
NCS champion
2X state qualifier
Currently attending and wrestling at Oregon State
Jack Hogan (Los Gatos High School and San Francisco State University)
I have been working with Carolyn in the aspects of dieting, training, flexibility, body positioning and strength training. She has helped countless members of my team in all the aspects as well, even coming to my school to teach yoga and explain safe dieting. Carolyn has been a valuable asset to me through out my high school wresting career an continues to have great influence on my life as I attempt to continue wrestling in college.
Jack Hogan
San Francisco State University
2X State Qualifier
Lance and Edi Kastl – Parents of Domonic, Blake and Mario Kastl
October 2008
In a time when parents are concerned about who there kids are influenced by, it is truly a miracle to find Carolyn Wester. We have witnessed first hand the many kids she has “influenced” into attending college. As most of you know, there are so many kids who spend a tremendous amount of time working out and training for wrestling. In our one dividion state, only a very few realize the highest achievement and thus may be discouraged about their future. Carolyn educates all kids about how to the many hours spent wrestling, training and completing class work, can help them attend college.
I am inspired by her generosity and respect her dedication.
Lance and Edith Kastl (Parents of Dominic, Blake and Mario Kastl)
Dominic Kastl – cal poly university
2x state placer
2x NHSCA AA
4 xCCS champ
Blake Kastl – Gilroy High School
2x state placer
NHSCA freshman Natl champ
3 x CCS champ
Mario Kastl
2x counties champ
Darin and Cindy Sheridan – Parents of Tyler Sheridan
Fall 2008
It was roughly two years ago when we were introduced by another wrestling family to Carolyn. She was energetic and enthusiatic about all aspects of wrestling. Her focus with out son tyler became concentrated on his education. She encouraged Tyler to consider top schools in the nation and after Tyler compiled his list , she helped the process along. Since then Tyler has had recruiting trips to Princeton, Brown, Northwestern and Columbia. Carolyn continues to stay in contact, and while our family comes to a decision on what college is best, she remains a friend an dpositive role model.
The Sheridan Family
Parents of Tyler Sheridan
Bronze Medal Winner – 2008 National Greco Championships at 145lbs
7th place – 2008 California State Championships at 145lbs
Wrestles for Columbia University
Jim and Julie Moita – Parents of Vincent Moita (De La Sale High School, Brown University)
This letter is written in appreciation of Carolyn Wester with Wrestling Prep. Carol coaches, runswrestling practices in San Jose, and helps high school students get into college. Our oldest son Vincent “Vinny” wrestled under Mark Halvorson at De La Salle High School and graduated in2010. He won North Coast his Junior and Senior year. Vince also took 3rd at state his junior year. In 2010 Carolyn reached out to help Vince and opened our family up to options for Vince toparticipate in college wrestling out of state. Unfortunately, as you all know because of budgetary constraints California has few wrestling options and less college wrestling scholarships. Carolyn knows many eastern college wrestling coaches on a first name basis. She also has a warm and affectionate demeanor that she showers on young adults and everyone she meets. Carolyn suggested that Vince consider Brown University as a college option. A few months later, after Carolyn called the Brown coach, Vince received a letter from Brown to visit thecollege. Quite frankly, we had never considered Brown or going out of state. But after Vince visited the school he fell in love with it. Brown is an Ivy League College which accepts about 9% of its applicants ..It is on par with Stanford relative to its admittance ratios. Vincent is now starting his second semester at Brown. We are positive that without Carolyn’s help Vincent would not have been accepted into such a great university. Wresting has been a great environment for our two sons, Vince & Joe, to learn about the discipline and responsibility needed to be successful in life. It is important that the college that your son attends is appropriate for his academic and wrestling success. Carolyn brings experience, contacts, and a great sence of humor that can definitely help with this “moving out ofthe house process”. If you have a son who is a good wrestler a and reasonably good student you owe it to yourself and your son to talk to Carolyn. She can help you and your son with the transition of going from high school to college with an eye toward obtaining a scholarship or entrance into good eastern colleges.
Jim and Julie Moita – Parents of Vincent Moita
De La Salle Graduate 2010
2X CA State Placer
2009 National All American
Future Graduating class of 2014 Brown Univesity
Paul & Katie Klee – Parents of PJ Klee (Blair Acadamy)
Fall 2008
We would like to take this time to thank Carolyn and WrestlingPrep for providing an unbiased and informative website for all wrestlers to benefit from. We have been involved in the sport of wrestling for the past 25 years and continue to learn everyday about this sport. As we have come to learn, wrestling is quite a bit more than just mat time, it is about preparing the mind, and body for the demands of this sport.
Many times we wondered if we providing the right nutrition for our three children who are all involved in demanding sports. Her assistance provided the answer for us. She has been a great resource for us, giving us specific nutritional direction, and the proper way to maintain energy levels while taxing ones body. It has helped our entire family.
As we travel down the path of competative wrestling with our sons, we realize more and more that it takes a village to educate and train the young wrestler. We have been fortunate enough to meet many knowledgeable coasches and mentors along the way. CC Fisher has been one of those people. He has helped our son PJ tremendously with technique and has offered words of encouragent along the way. CC has a wealth of knowledge that is invaluable. One day he is at the Olympic Training Center and the next he is helping our local wrestling community. We appreciate all the he does for our son and we hope that as time goes on he will be a constant in out sons training.
We would also like to say, kudos to Carolyn and WrestlingPrep for promoting the student athlete. School work has always been priority number one in our house. We thank you for reinforcing this through your program. It is never too soon to think about college and what one needs to do to prepare for it.
Carolyn is a tremendous resource to our wrestling community and we look forward to years of training together.
Paul and Katie Klee (Parents of PJ Klee)
Attending and wrestling at Blair Academy
NHSCA Freshman National Champion
Kim Baumann – Parents of JT Baumann (Dublin High School)
Fall 2008
Carolyn has been a tremendous and invaluable asset in preparing my son, JT, for all the preparation necessary for wrestling. The open rooms that are conducted include high quality wrestlers from all over the bay area giving him the competition he needs to improve. More importantly, Carolyn’s ease with the wrestler’s allow them to talk to her about all aspects of their lives. My son trusts her, and I trust that he is getting food advice. At a time when adolescents do not always listen to parental advice, Carolyn is available to gently guide them in some important decision making because she cares more about just their wrestling.
JT has become much more focused in his studies and his wrestling since Learning that their are viable options for him at the college level. The preparation and connections that JT has made through Carolyn will help him find and succeed at the right college.
Kim Bauman (mother of JT Bauman)
Dublin High School Graduating Class of 2009
Currently attending College
Coach Phil Cox – Father of Chris Cox (Placer High School)
I want to thank Carolyn and WrestlingPrep for all the help you gave Chris his senior year in High School. I only wish we had found you his freshman year because there is no telling how much better he would have been.
The information and personal assistance he recieved from you regarding his nutrition and weight management was critical to his sucess. He was able to drop the weight he needed, yet maintain the strenght and endurance he seemed to have lost the years before.
I am actively promoting Carolyn and WrestlingPrep to our team, and feel that the support you give the sport is superb. Anyone not taking full advantage of your “services” is missing a great opportunity.
Phil Cox
Placer High Assistant Wrestling Coach
Father of Chris Cox
Placer High School graduating class of 2008
Currently of scholarship wrestling for Cal Babtist
I have two sons, Andrew and Brian, who have benefitted greatly from working with both CC Fisher and Carolyn Wester. As a senior, Andrew finished first in league, 4th in NCS and was thrilled to wrestle at the State meet in 2008. Brian, a sophomore last year, finished 2nd in league and in the top 12 in NCS. Without the training, support and influence of CC and Carolyn, my sons would not have been able to accomplish their goals in wrestling during this past year and a half.
Carolyn is truly amazing. She brings every wrestler under her wing. She is completely dedicated to each and every wrestler and their parents; if someone needs something, Carolyn is just a phone call away. She schedules training sessions, provides personalized nutritional and training information, gives advice on everything from college choices to dating, and manages to make every person she meets feel like a special friend. She has no limit to the number of wrestlers she will help, and yet, she makes every wrestler feel like they are the sole wrestler with which she works. She is at every training sessi on, and is an excellent coach in her own right. Further, she is very discreet and trustworthy, and all communications are kept confidential. Like CC Fisher, Carolyn is dedicated to helping every wrestler achieve his or her goals, whether they be academic, personal or athletic.
In conclusion, the characteristic that makes CC Fisher and Carolyn Wester stand out in a crowd of coaches and trainers is that both of them are devoted to providing each wrestler individual support and training, with the athlete’s best interest in mind. They are truly there to serve, and that is rare in this day and age!Sincerely,
Dave and Tamara Cummings – Parents of DJ Cummings (Collee Park High School)
Fall 2008
From the moment we were introduced to Carolyn, it was evident that she was going to be a family friend for life. She adopted our son DJ as one of her own children. Her attention towards DJ far exceeds what college he may want to attend, but she genuinely cares wabout his wants & needs in daily life in and outside of wrestling. At the start this journy deciding what college would be best, Carolyn had offered her complete help and attention. DJ has all the admiration in the world for Carolyn, as do we. The overall coaching and conseling that Wrestling Prep offers is 2nd to known!
David and Tamara Cummings (Parents of DJ Cummings)
College Park High School graduating class of 2010
2008 CA National Team Member Cadet Freestyle & Greco
2008 Top Ten Finish National Cadel Freestyle Championships
2008 CA Triple Crown Award Winner
2008 Wester Regional Freestyle Champion
Charles and Julieta Luty – Parent’s of Daniel and Jared Luty
Carolyn and CC Fisher -
Please accept our thanks for the wonderful wrestling instruction and most importantly the tactical application of that instruction. Coach Fisher and you have indeed successfully created an athletic learning environment for student athletes that correctly focus on improving their individual wrestling skills but has also introduced the big picture of education importance and proper eating habits.
Jared has a great time and was very excited to show Daniel and I the moves that he learned after arriving home on Sunday. I feel confortable about their continuous individual wrestling growth and skill development through your wrestling prep club program.
Charles and Julieta Luty
Daniel Luty
2X NCS Qualifier
CA State Qualifier
Placer 2011 Doc B’s
Wrestling for Campbell University (D1)
Jared Luty
Lisa and John Hogan – Parents of Jack Hogan (Los Gatos High School)
We feel so fortunate to have a personal “wrestling guru” helping to guide our son Jack (and us) through his wrestling career. We never would have known that wrestling could open doors to college that might otherwise have been closed. Carolyn and her entire network of coaches and wrestlers work together to create a circle of support and an environment for improvemnt that can help any wrestler. Jack has been exposed to top competition, as well as great training and nutritional advice. He even tried yoga! If this does not prove Carolyn’s credibility with kids, we don’t know what will.
Thanks, Carolyn, for giving so much of yourself to our kids. We have personally met more than a dozen student-athletes (and their parents) who can point to tangible academic and wrestling progress as a result of their association with your organization.
John and Lisa Hogan – Parents of Jack Hogan
2X state Qualifier
3X CCS Placer
Los Gatos High School Graduating Class of 2009
Cindy Hall – Mother of the Hall Brothers, John & Kevin ( Palo Alto High School)
I would just like to say that Carolyn Wester and the wrestling prep facility has done nothing but great things for my two sons. She inspired them to work harder. Not only coached them excelently but helped them grow into great people. She made them believe that wrestling could be nmore than just fun during high school and motivated them to try harder and get into better schools.
There is opportunity out there and having someone open your eyes to that is a great thing.
Cindy Hall
Mother of Hall Brothers
John Hall
Boston University Graduating Class of 2011
2X NCAA Qualifier
2011 Recipient of the John B. Simpson Award – Boston University
2011 Colonial Conference Champion
2008 Colonial Conference Freshmen of the Year
Palo Alto Graduating Class of 2007
2nd place 2007 California State Championships @ 189
Champions 2007 California Freestyle state @ 189
Kevin Hall
Palo Alto Graduating Class of 2008
Currently wrestling for and attending Drexel University
Lisa Triggas – Parents of Nikko Triggas (Campolindo High School and Ohio State University)
Fall 2006
Carolyn has been a tremendous assent to my son, both on and off the mat. Her passion for the wrestling community is indisputably heartfelt. Carolyn is genuinely concerned with the wrestlers’ well being as a student, athlete and citizen.
Lisa Triggas
Parent of Nikko Triggas
Champion 2008 University national, Greco @ 125
Gold Medal winner 2008 junior Pan Am Games, Grecco @ 125
Gold Medal winner 2008 Junior Pan Am Games, Freestyle @ 125
8th place 2008 Olympic Trials, Grecco @ 125
2007 Graduate of Campalindo High School, Moraga, CA
Currently wrestling for and attending Ohio State
Cooper Newby – Palo Alto High School and Colorado School of Mines
Fall 2006
Carolyn Wester is the most selfless and dedicated person I have met in my life. She is incredibly polite, outgoing and organized. She has made incredible sacrifices for the improvement of my friends through coaching and personal support. Thank you,
Cooper Newby
2008 Graduate Palo Alto Senior High School
Currently wrestling at and attending The Colorado School Of Mines
Mitch & Shirley Michelon – Grandparents of Hunter Collins (Gilroy High School)
I would like to take this time to thank both Carolyn Wester and CC Fisher for the variety of support you have both given Hunter, his family and his friends.
Both of you have demonstrated friendship through sction not just words. You have made Hunter’s journey through high school a great deal easier. Carolyn, your efforts are greatly appreciated and will never be forgotton. CC, thanks for the teaching, coaching and leadership you displayed while helping to develop Hunter – YOU are a part of his sucess. Words and thanks seem so small given the opportunity Hunter Now has on his hands.
Thank you, With Sincere Respect
Mitch Collins
Grandfather of Hunter Collins
4X state placer in California
2X state finalist in California
1x state Champ in California
NHSCA Junior National Champion
Cadet Freestlyle National Runner Up
Currently wrestling for and attending University of Michigan
Dario & Celeste Borelli – Parents of Dom Dorelli ( Pioneer High School, Woodland CA)
October 13, 2008
Carolyn Wester is very knowledgeable about college recruiting. She helped us prepare for that special senior year while Domonic was still a junior in high school. We were tutored on communication stragies to use during to recruiting process and helped us all envision the opportunities available to wrestlers who may not come from the gold-standard programs.
Carolyn’s presentation of information is easy to understand and is presented in such a way that high school athletes hear the message and take action (we’ve seen it). We are very appreciate of Carolyn’s wisdom, guidance and understanding of teenagers moving into an adult world and becoming collegiate student-athletes.
Dario and Celeste Borelli
Parents of Domonic Borelli
3rd Place 2008 California Greco State @ 1717 lbs
Member of 2008 California National and National Dual Teams
Currently Attending Cal State Fullerton
It is a pleasure to work and train under Carolyn Wester’s instruction since the moment I met her in the summer of 2010. Carolyn mostly works with high school wrestlers, but even as a college senior at San Jose State University, Carolyn is happy to work with me. She is happy to work with anyone who wants to learn how to wrestle regardless of the wrestler’s grade level. Also, Carolyn is dedicated to her wrestlers. She will sacrifice her personal time to open the prep facility for training. Overall, I believe Carolyn Wester definitely has the ability to coach any wrestler and be an excellent resource for all willing to learn..
A great advantage for any coach is having a place outside of a high school to work out and train. Carolyn has The Wrestling Prep Facility which she opens to anyone on Sundays. Also, there are summer camps/clinics where college wrestlers are counselers, all of which she helped trained in the past, college wrestling coaches and an Olympic wrestler. Not only will the wrestlers she coaches would be able to succeed under her instruction, but the whole bay area wrestling community will have the opportunity to become better as well. Lastly, because of Carolyn’s ties with a college wrestling coach and an Olympic wrestler, it should be noted that she is an excellent resource for high school wrestler’s who seek information about wrestling in college and, most importantly, to improve their technique.
I believe Carolyn would become a great coach and be a great resource for wrestlers in the area as well.
Sincerely,
Jose Pinal
Venetia Pica – Mother of Tito, Nick & Alec Pica (De La Salle High School)
July 7, 2007
Carolyn Wester and Wrestling Prep have been amazing. Out sons have wrestled since first grade, they have traveled near and far to wrestle, always looking for great competition. But as Tito began the college search, there were many challanges. We did not know where to begin. We did not have any guidence by the coaching staff. There was the school counsler who helped somewhat but where to begin. Simple things like the SAT, when to take it, where were the resources to help stufy for it, not to mention the impact it has on college recruiting. We had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn Wester at the State Championships (2007) this past year and we were amazed at how she and WrestlingPrep worked with Tito and our Family to set goals and to meet each challenge with the knowledge behind us. This process can be overwhelming. Dealing with Wrestling Prep made it simple. Their approach is simple yet effective. They meet with the athlete, listen to them, on what things they are looking for, what objectives stand in their way, and how to overcome them! I have and will strongly recommend Carolyn Wrester and WrestlingPrep to any and all contancts I meet in the wrestling community. It has made the difference bettween foood and great!
Venetia Pica
Mother of Tito, Nick and Alec Pica
Tito Pica 2006 National Freestyle All-American, 2008 California State Placer
Paul & Kris Newby – Parents of Cooper Newby (Palo Alto High School)
July 16, 2007
The Wrestling Prep organization has been immensely helpful in the college recruiting process. They’ve educated us on the college recruiting rules and provides our son get the visibility that he needs to get on the best college team possible.
Carolyn’s group also provides a local connection to other high caliber practices in the Bay Area, so he gets solid experience wrestling with others outside of his own school.
Paul & Kris Newby
Parents of Cooper Newby
2008 Graduate Palo Alto High School
Currently attending the Colorado School of Mines
Every serious wrestler from the bay area needs to spend some time with Carolyn Wester. I did, and that’s part of the reason why I’m at Brown University! Since the day I met her, Carolyn has kindly offered me expert advice regarding wrestling, training, food, girls, etc… I was invited to open rooms, camps, and programs, which exposed me and other wrestlers of all levels to college type rooms and advanced wrestling styles. Carolyn has a vast and impressive wrestling network all over the nation; she knows a lot of people and is able help her wrestlers get recruited. I am thankful to her for her generosity and for being a fun person to be around. I am also happy to have spent time with CC Fisher in the summer ’09. I’ll continue to look forward to updates at Wrestling Prep.
Dr. Tom & Sheehan – Parents of Patrick Sheehan (Palo Alto High School)
August 8, 2007
Thanks to CC Fisher’s amazing coaching skills, our son went from a first-time wrestler in his freshman year(2005) to seventh in California Freestyle State Champs (2007) and then to represent California in the Cadet Freestyle National Tournament.
My wife and I are in admiration of CC’s extraordinary skills aat developing our son’s mastery of wrestling, but we admire even more Caorolyn Wester’s constant dedication to our son’s self-development, both personal and academic. We have watched Patrick – In what could have been the difficult years of adolescence – grow in self-confidence and interpersonal skills, as well as raise his High School grades to a full point to a 4.0 thanks to Carolyn’s attention and encouragement.
CC has transformed Patrick’s commitment to wrestling into something like an “inner discipline” that encourages self-knowledge (in defeat as well as victory), self-control (in a highly competive sport) , and respect for other, especially his opponents. Carolyn has been and continues to be for Patrick not only an ideal wrestling advocate but ultimately what is more important, a personal life coach in our son’s transition to adulthood.
Tom & Dianna Sheehan
Parents of Patrick Sheehan (Palo Alto High graduating class of 2009) and UC Santa Barbara student)
Joe & Karen Pele – Parents of Geran Pele
Joe Pele
Head Coach of Saratoga High School
July 22, 2009
Two years ago, as a new coach at the high school level, I noticed a stark difference in the caliber of wrestlers in our league. There are some of course schools with traditionally strong wrestling programs , but within the different programs there were certain standout wrestlers. This is always the case, but I soon noticed that the top wrestlers in CCS and NCS had two things in common – Carolyn Wester and CC Fisher.
Through WrestlingPrep.com Carolyn Werster has, in my opinion, created the premier tool for the support, encouragement, and training of wrestlers in the bay area and state. At significant personal cost Carolyn offers support through training, nutritional analysis, scholastic preparation, wisdom and compassion, all at no cost to the wrestler, coach or team. Carolyn’s effectiveness as a coach and a mentor is four fold.
Through wrestling specific drills and gymnastics Casolyn has ability to convey her command of physiology and kinesiology to her “kids” (and us older coaches) in a manner that can in most cases improve their wrestling on the spot. Carolyn’s knowledge of nutrition and all the toolds relating to nutrition and diet, which she’s made available, have made our wrestlers weight a non issue.
With caring and understanding, Carolyn works tireslessly to move our kids on to college with SAT prep courses, study sourses, help with recruiting nd all at no cost to the wrestlers or their families!
Finally, the dynamic between Coach Fisher and Carolyn is such that she sees the diamonds in the rough and Coach Fisher makes them shine! Seneca said “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” We in the wrestling community are lucky: Carolyn Wester is the opportunity and Coach CC Fisher is the preparation.
As a coach I like to think I know a little about wrestling, and after watching CC Fisher coach, I am sure I know a little about wrestling. CC Fisher is a true coach;s dream No Changes in style, no conflict with philosophy. Coach Fisher can look at how a wrestler moves and what the wrestler wishes to accomplish, and helps them do what they do – better! I am envious of his gift, and grateful he has choses to share it with my wrestlers, and more personally with my son.
Our son, Geran, has been wrestling for five years, and in the month between meeting Carolyn and Coach Fisher and SCVAL Finals, attended four open rooms and signed up at Wrestling Prep.com. Geran went from being a “middle of the pack” sixth or lower place wrestler: second alternate to CCS last season, to placing third in SCVAL and being five seconds from placing at CCS this year, all in one month. We plan on Geran spending much more time with Carolyn and CC and are looking forward to a great 2010!
`Carolyn and CC, thanks is such a small word for all you have done for Geran, but that and our gratitude is all we have to offer, so once again thank you!
