The Cochrane Cowboys Wrestling Club has kicked off its season and continues to attract a growing number of members.

Head coach Vern McNeice says the club is in a healthy state and is transitioning as the younger wrestler rise to the older age groups.

"We have a whole mass of junior high and elementary wrestlers and that's the future of the program without a question. It's nice to see succession there. We know we have a lot of good kids and dedicated young people with parents supporting them to get down the road."

Senior Elite wrestler Autumn Shopa will be participating in the Nationals in April. Last year, she won gold in the first ever Alberta Women's Grecco-Roman Tournament.

The club continues to have a core of senior elite wrestlers, the oldest and most skilled age group, who represent the club at high-level competitions, including the upcoming Nationals in April.

McNeice is always quick to salute the dedicated coaches, parents and volunteers who step forward to continue to make the club a great success.

They also have a number of Cowboy alumni who return to help.

"Last year at the end of the season the alumni were all there and they all came to have supper at our house. It's always nice to see them and they continue to have a great influence on the program. It's very much like family, so it's special."

The club is divided into three groups for boys and girls and in all three the goal is to grow responsible athletes who above all respect others, know the value of hard work, teamwork, and dedication, and who model honour and sportsmanship. Although the club has developed many national and international-calibre wrestlers the club doesn't measure success by medals, but by the positive growth in the individual.

Coach Mike Sharkey leads some of the younger Cowboys in a game called Knights and Horses.The elementary program is for youth ages 7-12 with little or no wrestling experience. They focus on basic wrestling skills and physical conditioning. A typical practice might include warm-up games, stretching and conditioning, skills and drills, and one-on-one tournament style games.

The junior-senior program is for those ages 9 to 14 with 2 to 3 years of wrestling practice and competitive experience. They focus on refining and perfecting techniques as well as working on strength and conditioning for longer matches and stronger opponents. They also start to nurture their leadership skills and are called upon from time-to-time to assist with warm ups and technical demonstrations.

At the senior elite level, grade 9 to 12, the investment required from the wrestler is elevated. They train three times/week for the regular season plus four weeks or more of additional post-season training to prepare for nationals.

Coaches demonstrate wrestling techniques.

Many of the club's elite wrestlers have won national titles, or placed in the top five in their weight class. Several have gone on to earn full scholarships at the university level and some have risen to the top of Canada West and U Sports.

The club is preparing for its annual spring tournament that is being held Mar. 2. Club registrar Bree Adam says the event usually attracts between 300 and 500 wrestlers.

In the meantime, registration remains open for the club.

"Any kids who want to first come and try it out for a day or two and see if its a fit are welcome to do so," says McNeice. "We've never turned away a kid from this sport, nor will we ever."