Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast

The IHSA Girls Wrestling State Finals are here—and whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned wrestling family, State weekend can feel big. In this episode of the Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast, host Lena Burkut is joined by Michael James Hamilton for a full Girls State Preview—including how the weekend works, what wrestlebacks mean, what to watch for in real time, and State predictions.

We cover State 101 in plain language...

Regionals are over and sectionals turn the postseason serious — where top-four state qualifiers are made and one matchup can flip a weight class.

Coach Mike Hamilton breaks down how sectionals work, how brackets and seeding affect outcomes, recovery and weight tips, and what creates upsets. Plus a full preview with picks, key matchups, and what to watch from Schaumburg, DeKalb, and beyond.

Coach Mike Hamilton is a father of 4 daugh...

This episode is a rapid-fire "wrestling translator" for parents, explaining ten common folkstyle terms—what they mean, when they matter, and how they can affect a match.

Includes practical sideline tips, three smart questions to ask your coach, and an interview with senior wrestler Valeria Pisantes on mindset, recovery, and recruiting.

Special Guest: Valeria Pesantes, Elk Grove High School Senior, 2x MSL conference champion, 2025...

Right after a loss your brain tells a story, but loss is information, not identity. In this episode we share three practical tools you can use immediately: a short post-match script to stop emotional bleeding, a 24-hour rule to protect your identity, and a three-pass video review to build confidence. Plus tips for athletes, parents, and coaches on what to say and do between matches to reset and prepare.

Episode guest: Ewa Krupa - C...

In this episode, host Lena Burkut and Coach Jack Tinsley break down a simple, three-layer goal-setting system for wrestlers and families: outcome, performance, and process. They cover age- and experience-based goals for beginners, intermediate families, and high school athletes, and explain how to pick one goal per bucket (skills, body, mindset) to build consistent progress.

Listeners learn practical tips for parents, how to handle...

This episode addresses common parental fears about girls wrestling and explores what happens when families say yes: interviews with a wrestling mom, a high school athlete, and a coach reveal how proper coaching, community support, and personal growth make the sport safe, empowering, and transformative.

Listeners will hear practical safety practices, mental and physical benefits, and real advice for parents and girls curious about s...

If you're new to wrestling, this episode answers common questions about safety, gear, tournaments, weight management, nutrition, injuries, and how to find a supportive club and coach.

We also share the story of Kate Diehl, a freshman who started in middle school, found confidence through club wrestling, learned from early struggles, and now competes proudly — a reminder that beginners belong and progress comes from showing up.

You ...

Coach Sarah Doty of Edwardsville Wrestling Club and head coach of Team Illinois walks through her journey into wrestling and how Team Illinois supports girls across the state.

The episode covers freestyle vs. folkstyle, how athletes qualify for state, regional, and Fargo Nationals, the Duals experience, travel logistics, costs, and fundraising options.

Sarah also explains typical training cycles, camps, avoiding burnout, finding lo...

Coach David Tortorici returns to discuss safe, realistic weight-management and tournament-day fueling for girls' wrestling. He shares three simple rules—"nibble, nibble, sip, sip," choose nutrient-dense carbs and proteins, and prioritize hydration—plus tips on between-match snacks, recovery, and avoiding gimmicky nutrition trends.

The episode also covers when to seek a sports nutrition professional, why focusing on training beats o...

This episode breaks down wrestling nutrition and safe weight management for growing female athletes: how to fuel for performance, hydrate properly, and make weight without harming long-term health.

Host Lena Burkut and coach Devin Tortorice share practical tips for day-to-day eating, pre/post-match fueling, hydration strategies, red flags to watch for, and how puberty and hormones affect girls — essential for athletes, coaches, and...

In episode 4, Host Lena Burkut explores why starting wrestling in high school can be an excellent choice for girls, covering maturity, structured coaching, off-season training, and the realities of weight classes.

The episode features Wheeling High School senior Elise Burkut — a two-time IHSA state qualifier and 2025 state runner-up — who shares her journey from a freshman beginner to an elite competitor, her training habits, favor...

In episode 3, The Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast with host Lena explores whether middle school is the best time to start wrestling, sharing real stories, expert tips, and practical guidance for athletes, parents, and coaches.

This episode covers school teams versus club options, girls competing in boys divisions, USA Wrestling membership, tournament opportunities, training commitments, and balancing academics and family life.

Hea...

In episode 2, host Lena breaks down when to start wrestling — tots (6 and under), bantams (7–8), and intermediates (9–10) — covering readiness, what to expect at tournaments, season and age rules, registration costs, and common benefits and challenges of beginning young.

Featuring Coach Jay of Wheeling Wildcats, this episode offers practical milestones, tournament and practice advice, tips to avoid burnout, and guidance on balancin...

In episode 1, hosts Lena and Alex introduce a podcast dedicated to empowering, informing, and celebrating the growing community of girls wrestling in Illinois. As wrestling parents, they share their experiences and explain why this show exists: to help new families navigate the sport and build community.

This episode covers the essentials — the difference between folkstyle and freestyle, must-have gear, tournaments and brackets, lo...