Grappling their way to the top: SJ Wrestling Club

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aaron J. Jenne
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

What does Greece, Rome and nearly every high school across America have in common? Wrestling!

Staff Sgt. Robert Karasiewicz and Tech. Sgt. Jacob Christensen, 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 1 mission ready Airmen instructors, reached out to Team Seymour, to find others who shared their love for wrestling, and thus began the SJ Wrestling Club.

This club, like many others, has its roots in the Make It Better initiative, which kicked off in November 2014.

“This club started a little differently than most,” Karasiewicz said. “Last year, Christensen and I decided we wanted to try [competing in] a tournament, so we started practicing. We didn’t really have intentions at first for this to become a club, but Col. [Mark Slocum, 4th Fighter Wing commander] came through when we were practicing and encouraged us to reach out to the base. We went to the first club day, where about eight people signed up.”

Aside from the enjoyment participants’ experience, Christensen stated the club is a great way for Airmen to work together to reach common goals.

“We get to train together every week,” Christensen said. “There is a lot of technique involved, and every wrestling style requires something different. To succeed, you have to have strength, flexibility and mental fortitude. You can’t give up. That’s how it is in the Air Force too. I’ve seen people get back on track physically through club participation, but I’ve seen people improve as Airmen too.”

Today, the club has about 10 members. Christensen stated the rigors of training haven’t been the only struggles the club has faced. Membership has been in a constant state of flux due to changes in work schedules, deployments and family life. This hasn’t discouraged the club mentors though, who continue to share their 30 years of combined experience with the club.

“We have some really good Airmen in this club,” Karasiewicz said. “We’ve had some of our guys help out high school and youth programs around Goldsboro. This has been really rewarding and challenging so far, and I look forward to having more involvement with the base and community.”

The culmination of their training will come to a head this weekend, at the Brawl at the Beach wrestling tournament in Leland, North Carolina. A handful of members plan to attend the state’s only outdoor freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling event this year.

The club’s ambition exceeds established tournaments, they hope to start some events of their own as well.

“We are currently working toward having a practice and dual meet with clubs from East Carolina University, Camp Lejeune and other nearby wrestling communities,” Karasiewicz said. “We’re really hoping we can get some more participation so we can make this happen.”

The SJ Wrestling Club meets every Monday and Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Eagle’s Landing ballroom.

For more information, check out the club page on the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base official website, or the club’s Facebook page.