Back in 1996, I was a senior at TABC and made my debut at the first-ever Wittenberg Yeshiva Wrestling tournament. Neil Ellman, then the head coach at Yeshiva University, was the driving force behind bringing wrestling to the Yeshiva world. Doug Klein, the head coach at Ida Crown in Chicago, was there too. Fast-forward nearly three decades, and Neil is still at the helm of the tournament, and Doug is still coaching at Ida Crown. Funny how some things never change.

What did change around the same time? The birth of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In 1993, UFC 1 dropped like a bombshell, inviting fighters from every martial art to prove which discipline was the toughest. For a few years, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ruled the roost, but fast-forward to today, and most people would agree: wrestlers are the true kings of the UFC. Over 500 events and countless fights later, it’s clear: the grappling game is where it’s at.

This evolution in fighting styles has had a ripple effect in the world of self-defense—and, surprisingly, in how many are thinking about it through the lens of Judaism. If you’ve got high school kids, take note: the most effective form of self-defense is being taught at many schools, for free. If your school isn’t offering it, just reach out to Neil or any Yeshiva coach—they’re more than happy to help get a program started.

But beyond self-defense, the real value of these programs lies in the life lessons the athletes learn and display. Wrestling is a unique blend of individual and team dynamics. You’ve got to fight for yourself, but you’ve also got to work with your teammates, support them, and respect them. Discipline, hard work, mentorship, camaraderie and sportsmanship are all on full display when you watch these guys in action.

One of my favorite stories, shared to me countless times by Ida Crown parents, is about how so many kids are pushed by their parents to join the wrestling team—not for the wrestling itself, but for the chance to be mentored by Doug. At 62, Doug is still on the mats, still taking on the monsters he’s molded. He’s being inducted into the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame, and once you’ve already paid yeshiva tuition, it’s hard to ignore the value of Doug’s exceptional guidance.

Having a mentor outside of your parents in high school can set you up to be a mentor later on. I’ve had the privilege of coaching alongside many of the kids I’ve coached over the years, watching them do things their own way—and, to be honest, sometimes in ways I didn’t always agree with. But that’s what’s rewarding. They didn’t become clones of me; they took what worked, added their own flair, and made it their own.

This year, I had an equally rewarding experience, this time at Kushner. A few years ago, Dave Cilio, who’d been the head coach there for years, passed away suddenly. I didn’t know him all that well—other than as a fierce opponent—but I respected what a handful his wrestlers had been over the years. This season, I had the privilege of coaching with some of those wrestlers. They quote him, they honor his memory, and it’s clear they’re carrying on his legacy in their own unique way. It was an experience I’ll continue to treasure —coaching with them, learning from them, and hopefully passing on some wisdom in the process.

Now, if you run into any of these wrestlers, take a second to congratulate them. Some of these young men are going to be the leaders of tomorrow (and almost certainly the toughest guy in your shul):

• Dan Delman (TABC) took first place at 170 this year. This kid walks around with a confidence you can’t ignore. And his headgear? It proudly displays the Israeli flag. This isn’t just about being “proud to be a Jew in a Jewish school.” When you’re wrestling outside the yeshiva world—against kids who may have more experience or even disdain for you—that’s a whole other ballgame. Dan doesn’t just wrestle them, he fights them. And watching him do it was a point of immense pride for me. It’s a reminder that deterrence doesn’t begin and end with the IDF—this young man is making an impact every day.
• AJ Horowitz (Frisch) capped off his high school career with his third first-place trophy. He’s also won Most Outstanding Wrestler in previous years and took home the Zinkin Leadership Award this time around.
• Aidan Zukerman (ICJA) made a triumphant return after a wrist fracture kept him out of most of last season. He came back this year to win his weight class and helped his team take first place overall. (See above: mentorship, camaraderie, Doug—all the good stuff.)
• Ilan Gutkin (Kushner) wrestled at public school as a freshman, switched to Kushner as a sophomore, took the year off, but came back to wrestling to win first place two years in a row while maintaining a perfect GPA!
• Ilan Najman (SAR) , only a junior, has already won the Dominator award twice, as well as two consecutive first-place wins. He’s always selflessly helping others on the team and pushing them, traits that will serve him well into his senior year and beyond.
• Moshe Ariel Nassimi (North Shore) was captain of the team and was able to clinch two first-place trophies, ending his high school wrestling career on a high note!