Hi, my name is Dustin Rife, Head Coach of PYWC. Wrestling started for me in middle school when the Quincy Junior High football coach said, (If you want to be great at football then you need to join the wrestling team) -Rick Owsley. I have two kids active in the club Ava, and Kinsley. My son Blake is in his Freshman year at PHS. My favorite thing about Wrestling is seeing the kids smile after a big win. My favorite memory is watching the kids that wrestled in the club compete at a high level at state for PHS. This quote was on my bedroom wall in junior high and it’s so true!

"After Wrestling, everything in life is easy." - Dan Gable

Hi, my name is Codey Stephens, Assistant Coach of PYWC. Wrestling has always been a passion of mine that started from an early age. I wrestled for the cyclones in Quincy, IL starting in 2003 and continued my wrestling career in high school for Quincy Notre Dame. During that time, I participated in Purler Academy weekly and also completed J. Robinson Intensive Camp. I have a 6-year-old son, Knox, who has just started with PYWC, and he loves every minute of it. Wrestling has always been in my blood and is a part of my life in so many ways. I enjoy more than anything seeing the hustle and dedication of our kids on a daily basis. I love this sport and seeing these kids succeed!

"A wrestler doesn't decide to be good just by himself. He needs people behind him to support him." -Ed Ruth

Hi, I’m Don Yuraitis and have been with the PYWC for 4 years. I have had numerous years of coaching experience with the Quincy Wrestling Club (later name changed to Cyclones) and also with the Hannibal Wrestling Club. I started wrestling in high school in 1970 and have continued to do so. I was honored to be part of the wrestling program with the United States Marine Corps battalion vs battalion and at different bases along the east coast, as well as intramural college and open tournaments after. My last match was when I was 58 years old. My grandson Brady wrestled with PYWC and is currently wrestling as a junior at QND and my granddaughter Brynlea wrestles for PYWC.

Hi, my name is Eric Nicholson, assistant coach for PYWC. This is my second year with PYWC. I grew up in Quincy and have been involved in coaching youth sports for the last 20 years.  Prior to moving to Palmyra, I was an assistant coach with the Champions wrestling club in Quincy. Wrestling is a family affair for us. My wife Andrea assists coaching and our sons Mason (8th) and Cooper (2nd) are both involved in the sport.  Wrestling is a great way to push yourselves as an athlete and person.  The emotions experienced during a match are above and beyond that of many other sports. It's also not about winning or losing but learning from your matches and working toward your goals.

I am a born and raised Palmyra native- growing up I was competitive in sports but we did not have wrestling. My family and I were introduced to wrestling in 2020 when our oldest son joined the club at 5 years old. It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves appreciating the sport and the drive it takes to compete. We now have 3 kids participating. Watching these kids grow physically, mentally and emotionally puts this sport in a class of its own. My favorite part of wrestling is when our athletes win or lose and make the decision to express sportsmanship and the willingness to keep grinding, pushing themselves win, lose, or draw.

“If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice” -Cameron Hanes

Hello, my name is Crystal Johnston, I am the PYWC Parent Rep. I am a Mom of three boys and my youngest has wrestled with PYWC for going on his 9^th season. My family and I enjoy being involved in all aspects of our club. This is our favorite sport! My son has learned so many great things while involved with PYWC. He has created bonds and friendships you cannot find with other teams. PYWC has allowed my children and I to have special people come into our lives. We value the friendships of these individuals. Everyone that is involved with PYWC wants nothing but the best for our wrestlers and their families. 

Hello, my name is Nichole Wiskirchen, and I am the PYWC Parent Rep. This will be my fourth season to be a part of the PYWC.  My daughter Kyleigh (12), and my son Drew (9) have been wrestling for the Club for the past three years. You will find myself, my husband (Andrew), and my oldest daughter (Claire)  in the stands just about every weekend cheering on the PYWC kids. However this season Claire has made her way to the mats as well on the new Highland HS wrestling team. I cannot say enough about how much this sport has taught my children. My absolute favorite part of being a part of this Club is the family and friends that you gain. Wrestling can bring out some of the biggest emotions in these athletes. Watching the kids support each other matside, and hearing other parents cheering for or even comforting your own children is the best feeling in the world. I cannot wait to see what this season ahead brings for our Club!