Master/Senior Freestyle Practices

[ATKreATK]

Obviously, the top guys are all training at the RTCs. But where are the average Joes going to train? I have been looking for places to scrap in NE Ohio with little luck. Is there a good place to search open mats? Thanks in advance. 

[CHROMEBIRD]

https://www.themat.com/membership/athletes/find-a-club

[ATKreATK]

1 hour ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

https://www.themat.com/membership/athletes/find-a-club

Thanks, I have been here and contacted the clubs that it lists. 

[mspart]

I wrestled Veteran when I lived in MN and was a volunteer asst coach at the HS and went with them to UM for FS training with the college guys as coaches.   It was a good way to get in shape and hone in on the skills.   I didn't have much skill in the first place so my improvement wasn't the greatest.   But I had a lot of fun doing it and didn't get hurt too seriously.   I did go to some tourneys around and saw one guy totally dislocate his lower leg, I'm sure ACLs and MCLs were compromised and he had no insurance.   So before you do this, make sure you have medical insurance.   And know you can get hurt.   I was fortunate and didn't get hurt doing Veterans but I did get hurt wrestling a HS kid who put me in a half and I refused to be turned but my shoulder had other ideas.   

I'd say be a coach for the kids and participate in any old timers tourneys in your area.   The kids are way faster than the older dudes, including you.   Have fun. 

mspart

[ATKreATK]

22 minutes ago, mspart said:

I wrestled Veteran when I lived in MN and was a volunteer asst coach at the HS and went with them to UM for FS training with the college guys as coaches.   It was a good way to get in shape and hone in on the skills.   I didn't have much skill in the first place so my improvement wasn't the greatest.   But I had a lot of fun doing it and didn't get hurt too seriously.   I did go to some tourneys around and saw one guy totally dislocate his lower leg, I'm sure ACLs and MCLs were compromised and he had no insurance.   So before you do this, make sure you have medical insurance.   And know you can get hurt.   I was fortunate and didn't get hurt doing Veterans but I did get hurt wrestling a HS kid who put me in a half and I refused to be turned but my shoulder had other ideas.   

I'd say be a coach for the kids and participate in any old timers tourneys in your area.   The kids are way faster than the older dudes, including you.   Have fun. 

mspart

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. I cant wait for the younger guys I help with to get going again. Just a tough time of year right now!

[Gene Mills Fan]

Iowa wrestling and Olympic legend made comeback at 49

[JMill]

53 minutes ago, Gene Mills Fan said:

Iowa wrestling and Olympic legend made comeback at 49

— Didn't win a tournament from 1981 through 1983 because J Robinson had him shooting all the time.

I love that this is included in Randy’s career highlights.

[Gene Mills Fan]

Just now, JMill said:

— Didn't win a tournament from 1981 through 1983 because J Robinson had him shooting all the time.

I love that this is included in Randy’s career highlights.

part of  "not big on humility"

[mspart]

I rmember when that happened with Randy and I was all in.   I thought he'd do real well, but I also figured he would train for it.   He said he didn't.   He might not have cramped up so badly if he had.   But he was trying to prove a point wiht the rules in place at the time that mat wrestling was dead and you don't need lungs to just stand there.  He almost proved that point.  

It brought some excitement to the times for sure.   Where is he at now?   I don't think he is with Hawkeye anymore is he?

mspart

[Gene Mills Fan]

8 minutes ago, mspart said:

I rmember when that happened with Randy and I was all in.   I thought he'd do real well, but I also figured he would train for it.   He said he didn't.   He might not have cramped up so badly if he had.   But he was trying to prove a point wiht the rules in place at the time that mat wrestling was dead and you don't need lungs to just stand there.  He almost proved that point.  

It brought some excitement to the times for sure.   Where is he at now?   I don't think he is with Hawkeye anymore is he?

mspart

I know he stopped in and was on Flo in Texas for a show last year or the year before.

[mspart]

His stories are legendary and so well written.   I wish he would do more of those.  

mspart

[SocraTease]

It looks like Mark Bader (FLO) had a couple of wins in the Master's division today. 62KG, I believe.  I think he may have made the World Championships one year with a win at the US Open

[OMW]

17 minutes ago, SocraTease said:

It looks like Mark Bader (FLO) had a couple of wins in the Master's division today. 62KG, I believe.  I think he may have made the World Championships one year with a win at the US Open

there is no qualifier to wrestle at Masters Worlds (i.e. it's an open)

[11986]

On 4/21/2026 at 4:14 PM, mspart said:

I rmember when that happened with Randy and I was all in.   I thought he'd do real well, but I also figured he would train for it.   He said he didn't.   He might not have cramped up so badly if he had.   But he was trying to prove a point wiht the rules in place at the time that mat wrestling was dead and you don't need lungs to just stand there.  He almost proved that point.  

It brought some excitement to the times for sure.   Where is he at now?   I don't think he is with Hawkeye anymore is he?

mspart

a recent interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIaXi2x8lnQ

[Gene Mills Fan]

20 hours ago, SocraTease said:

It looks like Mark Bader (FLO) had a couple of wins in the Master's division today. 62KG, I believe.  I think he may have made the World Championships one year with a win at the US Open

I think VomBauer's dad beat him last time.

[mspart]

VomBauer's dad was the real deal.  

mspart