Oklahoma Wrestling Academy is the No Missed Meals Club of the Month for October

Oklahoma Wrestling Academy out of Edmond, Okla. has been selected as the Chobani/USA Wrestling ‘No Missed Meals’ Club of the Month for October 2017.
Check out how the Oklahoma club helps their athletes practice positive nutritional habits in and out of the wrestling room!


CHOBANI CLUB OF THE MONTH – OCTOBER 2017
Club Name: Oklahoma Wrestling Academy
Club Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
Participating Age Groups: Ages 4 to 18 years old
How do you think about nutrition as it relates to youth athletes? What do you tell your athletes?
Nutrition is key. We explain to our parents about what is good to put into their child’s system and what is not. Try to stay away from a lot of heavy foods especially for competition and make sure they are getting enough water and fruits and vegetables.
What do you tell an athlete that’s starting to cut weight too early?
Stop. Wrestle what you weigh and enjoy the process. We all know that cutting weight is a part of this sport and there will be plenty of time for that once you get older.
What do you think the biggest misconceptions about weight cutting are?
That wrestlers don’t eat for a week. And that all wrestlers starve themselves.
How are your athletes thinking about food?
I think the majority of my wrestlers have become more food savvy as in what is good for them during the season and what is not. For instance, they try to stay away from soda during the season and focus on having a good mixture of the basic food groups. A lot of this information is given to the parents as well.


Why do you think the weight-cutting culture is so prevalent?
Kids and some parents think that the lower the weight their child is at, the better their child has of placing or winning a tournament. I make sure they know that is not the case.


How do you keep young athletes (and/or their parents) focused on long-term development when there is always pressure to win now?
In my club I make it a point not to get all caught up in wins and losses. There will be no college scholarships given out while their child is in little league wrestling. We focus on having fun, giving a great effort, and learning from your mistakes. Wins and losses mean nothing. I am more focused on their effort at this level.


What resources do you wish you had to help in the nutrition space?
Any type of [informational] handouts.


How do you promote positive nutritional habits to your wrestlers and their parents?
I discuss with them during and or after practice about good eating habits and why that is important for their child.


How do you ensure that positive nutritional habits are being practiced in your room?
I see what the kids are eating at tournaments! I also see how wrestlers preform when they’re loaded up on sugar and hit a wall – rather than if they’ve been eating fruits and vegetables all day.


Why is positive nutrition important to you as a coach?
Because when you start young, and when wrestlers and parents are on the same page, positive nutrition becomes a part of their lifestyle. Lead by example.

Thank you for Hardell Moore and the coaching staff at the Oklahoma Wrestling Academy for taking the time to talk to USA Wrestling about how they help their athletes make positive nutritional choices in their everyday lives!


Take the Pledge! Join the Oklahoma Wrestling Academy, and many other USA Wrestling clubs, and become a ‘No Missed Meals’ club today! Click here for more information.
Each month from September to December 2017, Chobani and USA Wrestling will select a Club of the Month based on club philosophies and practices regarding positive nutritional habits. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling from youth programs through the Senior level.