This episode helps families and high school wrestlers decide which wrestling club fits their needs by weighing coaching, culture, partners, schedules, costs, and goals.
Guests Shayna Waker and Taylor Mease share practical tips: visit multiple rooms, watch coach-athlete interactions, prioritize fundamentals for youth, align training with high-school and college goals, and listen to the wrestler’s preferences.
About Shaina Weyker: Shaina Campbell is a wrestling coach, mother of four, and passionate advocate for girls wrestling. Alongside her husband, Jake, she has dedicated years to helping young athletes grow both on and off the mat. She is also the proud mom and coach of twin wrestlers Swayze and Maleya, known as the Twister Sisters, whose journey in the sport has strengthened her commitment to creating more opportunities for girls. Shaina and her husband help lead Illinois Mat Woman, bringing talented wrestlers from across the state together to compete nationally, build friendships, support one another, and represent Illinois with pride. She believes wrestling teaches far more than how to win a match—it builds confidence, discipline, resilience, and character. Her goal is not only to help her own daughters succeed, but to make sure every girl in the sport has the opportunity to compete, grow, and reach her potential.
About Taylor Miess: Taylor Miess is a senior wrestler at North Central College and a Scholar All-American. Before competing at the collegiate level, she built an accomplished high school career in Colorado, where she became a state champion and earned All-American honors at both Fargo and the High School Showcase. Taylor has also been part of North Central’s national dual team, gaining experience at some of the highest levels of women’s wrestling. Her journey from high school standout to college wrestler gives her a valuable perspective on how the right training environment, coaches, and opportunities can shape an athlete’s development.
About Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast: The Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast celebrates athletes, coaches and families helping girls wrestling grow across Illinois. With interviews, practical advice and stories, the podcast connects and supports IL girls wrestling community—on and off the mat.
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About the Host: Lena Burkut is the host and creator of the Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast, a show dedicated to sharing the stories, experiences, and voices shaping girls wrestling in Illinois. Through conversations with wrestlers, coaches, officials, parents, and other members of the wrestling community, she focuses on helping families better understand the sport while highlighting the continued growth of girls wrestling. Lena also brings a background in journalism, communications, and visual storytelling to the podcast, with a strong interest in building a more informed, connected, and supportive wrestling community.
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