Sign-ups to begin in December, season in January
When building from the ground up, it takes a community of support to gain footing. The Cloverdale Wrestling Club accepted its fifth donation on Aug. 7. The club, which exists separately from the school district, received nonprofit status in June.
Being classified as a nonprofit, the club will have an easier time accepting donations and be able to plan its own fundraisers and points of revenue to support the club.
Wrestling programs are just starting to regain momentum in Cloverdale — Cloverdale Wrestling (the school-sponsored wrestling program) met on March 15 for the first home wrestling event in two decades.
The town has never had a wrestling club before and the community looks to be in support of increasing the presence of wrestling in town.
“It’s electrifying,” said Cloverdale Wrestling Club President Mike Toninato. “People keep asking ‘how do we sign-up?’ and ‘when does it start?’”
Club sign-ups aren’t until December and the club won’t start its season until January, but early interest is building. Kids, parents and those involved with Cloverdale Wrestling tabled during the sidewalk sale on Aug. 11 to hold a bake sale and raise money for families affected by the recent fires. According to Toninato, while tabeling there were “approximately 10 kids that showed up to talk about wrestling.”
It’s his history with Cloverdale wrestling programs that inspired Toninato to help push for the club. While attending school in Cloverdale, he was involved in wrestling and was impacted by what he learned from his wrestling coach.
“I had a tremendous wrestling coach, Mr. Del Pearl,” said Toninato. “With wrestling it’s really an individual sport. It builds your self-esteem, it builds your inner core, your strength … We used to always have to tell ourselves ‘I am somebody’ before we practiced.”
The effort to get wrestling to Cloverdale has also received support from those involved in the school system.
“Prior to the club we went to a lot of school board meetings and pushed for Cloverdale wrestling,” said Toninato. “(Washington School Vice Principal) Mr. Ortiz and (Washington School Principal) Mr. Lucchetti … were at almost every practice of the season, it was just phenomenal. The school system has just really been good.”
The club has also received monetary support from the Police Officers’ Association, Railroad Station Bar & Grill, the Cloverdale Lions Club and others.
“We use funds for singlets, head gear … we sponsor kids if families can’t afford it,” said Toninato. When needed, some of the contributions also go toward paying for space for the club to wrestle or practice.
For Toninato, who has had Cloverdale wrestling in his life since he was young, the support is welcome.
“This is unbelievable that it’s happening so fast,” said Toninato. “Donations, starting the club, it’s awesome that this is all coming together.”
