Team Hammer actually originated in a garage. The original wrestlers were a part of a powerhouse wrestling program, but they simply couldn't win a match no matter what they did or how much they practiced. So Coach Tony and Coach Willy decided to run an experiment...they decided to hold an extra practice that was shaped more like school with an emphasis on positive support, so that the kids could see that wrestling is simply applying learned techniques, including mental toughness (also a learned skill), while changing the goal of "winning," instead to "improvement."
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The results came quickly and in a few short years the kids went from not winning any of their matches to now winning State titles and crushing their goals. And...most importantly...the kids are having a blast in the program.
Coach Tony
Coach Tony is the head coach and teaches the advanced wrestlers in the room. He is a decorated Iraqi Freedom military veteran who spent several years in Spec Ops with the Recon Marines and has a Bachelor's Degree in High School Teaching. Before moving to Kansas City he lived in Columbia, MO, where he coached the wrestling phenom J'Den Cox (3x D1 National Champion, as well as an Olympic bronze medalist and World Champion) during his high school reign of terror -- four state titles at four different weight classes.
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While coaching for another club, his wrestlers won the 8U and 10U State titles as well as helping the club set the Missouri record for the most youth state champions by one team in one year (14!).
Coach Thomas
Coach Thomas coaches the advanced level and brings experience preparing and coaching athletes of all levels in both boxing and wrestling. He's a 2 x regional Golden Glove champion and a 2008 Ringside World's runner-up. He has two kids on the team and values the tight knit family environment that Team Hammer offers. Coach Thomas is always searching for the most cutting edge training and teaching methods that make a positive impact on young athletes' lives.
Coach Miles
Miles Johns’ passion for wrestling started in the third grade. His dedication to the sport eventually lead him to win multiple youth national championships and ultimately a Kansas 5A high school State Championship his senior year (taking 2nd his junior year). He wrestled for one year at the collegiate level before making the transition to MMA. He currently competes in the bantamweight division of the UFC where he holds a professional record of 14-2 with 2 "Knock out of the Night" performances. Miles is also a father of 4 boys, two of which are currently on the team and two who will be joining in the coming years. Although his focus is on his career as a professional fighter his passion for wrestling still burns hot and it shows when he is coaching our pee wee/novice athletes.
Coach Adam
Coach Adam started wrestling when he was 5-years-old and wrestled through high-school. He made it to state every year and is now the father of a boy and girl who are twins!!! He enjoyed wrestling so much growing up and wants to give these kids the same amazing life experiences that he had with this great sport. His favorite quote is from the infamous Dan Gable, "Once you have wrestled, everything else in life is easy."