Sons of Thunder and Daughters of Zion
Welcome to Sons of Thunder and Daughters of Zion
Year-round training programs for wrestlers of all ages and skill levels. Join our club and take your wrestling to the next level.
ABOUT US
Our Commitment To Excellence
Our mission goes beyond winning. We're committed to developing athletes holistically—as both competitors and individuals—through long-term athletic development.
We build character first, then athleticism from the ground up. Our program emphasizes integrity, perseverance, respect, and teamwork alongside wrestling techniques, prioritizing foundational body control so kids can safely and confidently execute moves.
Who is wrestling for?
Open to all
We strive to provide a safe, inclusive environment where every person, regardless of skill level, gender, race, ethnic background, religious beliefs, sexual preferences or physical abilities will be accepted and appreciated. Wrestling is fun, but it is also a difficult sport; any person willing to come to practice and do the work will earn, and be shown, the proper respect. We are excited to welcome all to our community.
Is wrestling worth it?
Why should your kid try wrestling?
There are a lot of activities your kid could be doing, so why would you bother with wrestling? Here's a few reasons we think your child can benefit from wrestling:
- It builds self-confidence
- It teaches discipline and hard work
- It develops physical strength and coordination
- It creates lifelong friendships
- It's an individual sport with team support
Training and Membership
What Our Wrestlers & Their Parents Say
Read testimonials from our wrestlers about their experiences with our team.
Being a part of the team has been a great experience for my 10-year old son. He mainly enjoys wrestling because of the high pace and hard practices, the conditioning involved helps tremendously with the other sports he participates in. Jake has been instrumental in his growth on and off the mats! 10/10 would recommend SOT!
Youth Athlete Parent
The love my children have gained for the sport, has been nothing short of amazing. In just one season the growth has been undeniable. Coach Jake and Coach Bob have both spent countless hours working with my advanced and rookie wrestlers and given them both the tools they need to succeed at their current levels, while working towards the next level at all times. We love being a part of the family!
Youth Athlete Parent
As a female wrestler, I've always felt respected and supported on this team. The coaches have helped me develop my own and achieve results I never thought possible.
Current Athlete
SOT/DOZ is a great place for wrestlers of all levels. We especially appreciate the Girls only program that focuses on growing girls wrestling and incorporating strength, confidence, and grit into our female athletes. The coaching staff 20+ years of skill and experience that allows athletes of all levels to learn and thrive! The facility is clean and safe. The team is positive, supportive, and based on serving the community, and each other.
Youth/Highschool Athlete Parent
It’s more than a wrestling club; this is a HAVEN for kids. We came to SOT when my son was at his breaking point and no longer wanted to wrestle like he once did. Leaving another club and coming to SOT was the best choice we made for our son! Not long after transitioning, wrestling soon became his life again, and for the first time in a long time, he was so happy to be wrestling, and fell back in love with the sport. Before I knew it, this club became more than parents and kids meeting to practice…it became family. With such a bond that if my son lost, everyone felt it, and when he won everyone celebrated FOR him. Coach Jake Gregerson has believed in my son when he didn’t believe in himself. To watch him wrestle kids whom have done this their whole life, knowing he has only done it for a few short years, and actually keeping up, if not defeating them, shows how much he has grown as an athlete. But to see my son be surrounded by boys and girls of all ages, believing in him and cheering him on through all stages of his journey, as he does the same for them, is one of the most rewarding parts. There is no doubt that this IS THE PLACE to be!
Highschool Athlete Parent
Staff
Meet our coaches
Head Coach-Jake Gregerson
Coach Jake began wrestling at the age of seven in Granite City, IL. At 11, he joined Sons of thunder under Coach Jeff Estrada. During his youth career, he won three state titles and five national titles between Tulsa nationals and USA nationals.As a freshman in High School he relocated to Chicago to wrestle for Montini Catholic, where the team ranked 11th in the nation. His high school career concluded with him being a Freestyle and Greco-Roman champion and ranked number four in the nation for Greco-Roman.At the age of 21 his coaching career began, in Granite City, IL. Followed by a move to Colorado where he coached alongside coach Jeff Estrada at Sons of Thunder Castle Rock. There, they operated a wrestling school that was ranked number one in the country. Producing numerous World Team members, Pan-American Champions, Fargo National champions, All-Americans, and individual state champions.While in Colorado he also served on the Fargo National coaching staff as well as the Schoolboy National Dual Team staff.- After four years in Colorado, he moved to California, working with several of the top programs. Later returning to Granite City to lead the Lions Den Wrestling Academy for four years. During his time with Lions Den, he was able to provide opportunities to wrestle to many children who otherwise,may not have been able to afford it. During this time he was honored with a spot on the Illinois Fargo National team coaching staff.In 2023 he relocated to Florida and began working with the leading high school wrestling programs in SWFL. Since moving, he has joined the Florida Fargo National Team coaching staff. He was also recently appointed as Junior Dual Team Director for the state of Florida. He has now founded Sons of Thunder Wrestling Academy in Naples, Florida.
Assistant Coach-Bob Love
Coach Bob is a Florida Native, born and raised in Naples, FL. He has an extensive history in multiple competitive sports throughout high school. He actively trains in weight-lifting, jujitsu & wrestling. While he also coaches our youth wrestlers.Coach Bob is also currently an assistant coach for a local high school when he is not running a weight-lifting session or our fundamentals group here at Sons of Thunder.To know Coach Bob is to love him, he adds a great dynamic to our room, and his level of commitment to our youth, is unmatched.Growing the love for the sport and feeding the hunger of our young athletes is what Coach Bob was made to do!
Assistant Coach- Charlie Suchy
Coach Suchy wrestled at Oak Lawn Community High School in Oak Lawn, IL. After high school he went on to work for the United States Government as a special agent for Homeland Security focusing on Counterterrorism.From 2015-2018 Coach Suchy led the Chicago kids program known as the Panthers. After relocating to Florida he coached at Bonita Springs High School from 2019-2023.From 2023-present he coaches at Aubrey Roger’s High School as well as with Sons of Thunder Wrestling Academy.
Assistant Coach-Laz Rua
Coach Laz is an ISSA certified professional, who specializes in strength and conditioning. Locally, he works as a Fitness and Activities Director.Coach Laz was a standout wrestler in high school, earning all-state accolades, and continuing to wrestle at the College level in Iowa. His coaching career expands over a decade which includes, 7 years as the Palmetto Ridge High School head wrestling coach. We are honored to have Coach Laz running our Wednesday night practices, where he runs our athletes through a very rigorous conditioning cycle, along with core drilling necessary at all levels of the sport.
Assistant Coaches-Anthony & Kim Partello
Coach Partello was a 2x State Champion and a 2x Freestyle champion. After high school, he went on to continue wrestling Division 1 at UTC. Overall, Coach Partello has over 30 years experience in wrestling, with 23 of those years being a coach. Coach Partello has produced 6 state champions, 6 runner-up, over 30 state placers, and nearly 100 state qualifiers as well as a Fargo All American. To have Coach Partello in our room is a privilege to our athletes!