History

Longwood Wrestling Club dates back to the 1970s when Chuck Kellers and Norm Codner had the vision to start a program for developing exceptional wrestlers.

While the club would eventually call Macedonia’s Longwood YMCA home, the early days of practice took place in Kellers’ basement on a strip of wrestling mat and the original singlets were hand sewn by Coach Codner’s wife.

The club welcomed all youth who were interested in wrestling and embraced an annual training program that blended folkstyle and freestyle.

Through the 1970s and 80s, Longwood’s wrestlers competed at an elite level against local schools and clubs including Westshore, Beechwood, East Cleveland, Southeast, and local YMCA clubs. Longwood wrestlers also helped to establish the club as a dominant force in Northeast Ohio wrestling through their success at tournaments throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. The Longwood Wrestling Club became a feeder for Nordonia’s High School wrestling team, who won the 1977 state wrestling championship title. In 1985, the Longwood YMCA team won the AAU national championship title.

A new generation of coaches are reimagining and relaunching this legendary wrestling club. Longwood Wrestling Club was reformed in 2021 under the direction and guidance of Jason Walters, Nordonia Head Coach.

Original Longwood singlet

1983 Longwood Wrestling Club

1985 National Champs