Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast gives parents, coaches, and athletes a simple, honest look at girls' wrestling in Illinois—from youth and kids clubs to middle school and high school girls' wrestling. Each episode answers real parent questions (like “What’s the best age to start girls wrestling?”), shares stories from the mat, and helps families understand how to support their daughters in this fast-growing sport.
Behind the Mic: A Wrestling Mom’s Story and Season Preview
Host Lena Burkut introduces season 2 with a personal update: why she started the Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast, her background as a mom of three wrestlers, and her role directing the Wheeling Wildcat Wrestling Club.
She shares her daughter’s journey to NJCAA wrestling at Indian Hills, the club’s work with young wrestlers, and how the podcast highlights underrepresented Illinois girls’ wrestling stories.
Season 2 plans include weekly episodes, new guests, topics from college recruiting to tough conversations, and a call for suggestions, guests, and community support.
1 Jul 2026
Episode 26: Inside Team Illinois: Lessons from the Women's National Duals
We are going on vacation until October (unless we have something very important to stay, which does happen) Weekly episodes back in October!
Coaches Liz Short and Sarah Doty break down Team Illinois' performance at the Women's National Duals, highlighting what worked, what needs improvement, and how the experience prepares athletes for the July Fargo freestyle nationals.
They discuss energy and bench culture, technical takeaways like par terre defense and head-and-hands, Greco benefits, nutrition and recovery, and actionable next steps for athletes, coaches, and families heading into Fargo.
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We are a baby podcast with a huge mission, and we would love your help - share the success of Girls' wrestling in the State of Illinois. If you like what you see, leave us a review (we heard that it really helps), subscribe, and share our podcast with other wrestling families
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Want to be our guest? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/3CAjj1b6XcrgJA1v7. We are looking for insights from club and team coaches, expertise from industry experts, and inspiring stories from girls-wrestlers. You can also email us at ilgirlswrestling@gmail.com
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Looking for a club to join? Start your search at https://www.ikwf.org/clubs
Ready to learn more about USA Wrestling? https://www.themat.com/
Join the discussion in the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17hayuBGgw/
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
See girls wrestling grow
Flow Wrestling 2025-26 commitment list
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We are working on a few more episodes this season and will go on vacation sometime in July. See you in October for the Second season of the Illinois Girls Wrestling Podcast!
In this episode we break down exactly what girls need (and don’t) for wrestling: a simple three-bucket system of must-haves, helpful items, and optional extras so families avoid overspending or last-minute panic.
Learn what to ask your coach, how to build a packed tournament kit, shoe and uniform tips, where to splurge versus save, common mistakes to avoid, and real-life insights from wrestler Justice Gerard.
Short, practical, and season-ready: buy what fits, test it at practice, keep a hygiene kit, and upgrade over time.
--------------------------------------
We are a baby podcast with a huge mission, and we would love your help - share the success of Girls' wrestling in the State of Illinois. If you like what you see, leave us a review (we heard that it really helps), subscribe, and share our podcast with other wrestling families
----------
Want to be our guest? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/3CAjj1b6XcrgJA1v7. We are looking for insights from club and team coaches, expertise from industry experts, and inspiring stories from girls-wrestlers. You can also email us at ilgirlswrestling@gmail.com
----------
Looking for a club to join? Start your search at https://www.ikwf.org/clubs
Ready to learn more about USA Wrestling? https://www.themat.com/
Join the discussion in the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17hayuBGgw/
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
See girls wrestling grow into college
Flow Wrestling 2024-25 commitment list
Flow Wrestling 2025-26 commitment list
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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