Gomez Wrestling Clinic

Algona High School wrestlers had the opportunity recently to learn from Austin Gomez, an Iowa State wrestler.  The Gomez Clinic took place on April 12th through the April 21st.

Any Algona wrestler who was interested in attending paid a $50 fee to participate in the clinic.  They met in the Algona High School wrestling room for five sessions, each session lasting two hours.  

Each session was set up the same.  First, the wrestlers did warm up exercises.  Next, they spent time learning drills.  Hayden Thompson said, “I was glad I attended and I learned some new moves.”  At the end of each night, there was a question and answer session. 

Gomez taught the local wrestlers about freestyle wrestling.  Freestyle wrestling puts an emphasis on exposure points.  The goal is to pin or expose your opponent’s shoulders to the mat.  This is different from what the Algona wrestling program does.  The Algona wrestling program focuses on folkstyle wrestling.  In this style of wrestling, you work on controlling your opponent.  When you are in the bottom position on the mat in folkstyle wrestling, the goal is to get away from your opponent.  

Gomez wrestled at Iowa State University but had to quit wrestling due to health issues.  He was a three time Illinois State champion.  In 2013, Gomez was on the Cadet Men’s Freestyle World Team.  In 2016, he was the Junior Freestyle National Champion.  Gomez thought his wrestling career was over, but he has decided to start wrestling again for Iowa State University for the 2021 season.