Our edge is your edge.
Did you know some facilities hire coaches that have never wrestled before? If you are wrestling as a hobby, that may work just fine. But when you want a competitive edge, it's a waste of time and money.
We're different. Devoted. Our three head coaches are former college wrestlers and hold seven high school state championships between them.
In addition, we strive to keep our classes limited to one instructor for every six students. This ensures every athlete gets equal attention as we train. Our personalized approach helps students stay focused while rapidly accelerating their competitive edge.
Founder & Head Coach Josh Gannon
Meet Founder & Head Coach Josh Gannon
A former Division 1 and 2x high school state wrestling champion, Josh Gannon founded Competitive Edge Sports and the Cornhusker Wrestling Club upon volunteering as a wrestling coach shortly after college.
As a MMA and wrestling athlete he was frustrated by the quality of instruction at most facilities and the fact that local athletes couldn't get meaningful year round training.
What started with three little wrestlers and classes in the basement of a friend's martial art facility, has grown into an elite sports training center for Lincoln's youth, serving more than 200 students in its 7,500 square foot facility.
- 2x High school State champion
- Less than 10 losses throughout high school career
- Former Division 1 collegiate wrestler
To read Josh's complete story - how a wrestling coach positively changed his life in the sixth grade - click here →
Our Coaches
CALEB KOLB
- Former Husker wrestler
- NCAA championship qualifier
- Nebraska student athlete Heart & Soal Award (2014)
- Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2014)
- Intermat Top 100recruit
- High school 1x state champion (128-22 career record)
STEVE PALMER
15 years as head coach for Lincoln Wrestling Club
Coached dozens of youth state champions
High school top-three State finishes senior year
DILLON SEMRAD
- Seven years experience gymnastics coach
- 3x boys gymnastics State Championship teams
- High school USAG level 10 competitor
ERIC COUFAL
- High school 4x State Champion (124-0 perfect career record)
MITCHELL MAGINNIS
- High school 3 top-five State finishes (142-25 career record)
JACK GROPP
- High school 2 top-five State finishes
Our Core Values Matter
The CES team of coaches strives to influence and empower athletes on and off the mat with positive life skills:
- Honor
- Integrity
- Self-Control
- Courtesy
- Perseverance
"Not only has my son become a better wrestler, but he has a better attitude about everything." - CES parent Collin Caneva
We're the proud home of the Cornhusker Wrestling Club. We offer two competitive teams for novice and advanced wrestlers:
Team Cornhusker Wrestling Club
For new and novice wrestlers who want to compete at a recreational level within Nebraska. Curious about this club? Contact us here →
Team Cornhusker Wrestling Club Elite
For advanced wrestlers who want to compete at the highest competition level in the US. Team CWC Elite is one of only two elite traveling teams in Nebraska. Interested in learning more? Contact us right here →
Consistency = Progress
Every time your wrestler enters our training facility, they will know their coaches and exactly what to expect. We don't have a revolving door of volunteers.
In addition, we build upon solid wrestling fundamentals and are always working to progress each athlete every single time they step onto our mats.
Absolute Beginner?
Advancing to Nationals?
Welcome!
We own our facility which means we set our schedules; so there is never any waiting around for mats to open up. Because of this organized approach, we are able to offer classes seven days a week for a variety of skill and age levels.
There is no need to be intimidated if you are brand new to wrestling. We ALL started as beginners. CES welcomes boys and girls as young as pre-kindergarten all the way up to advanced athletes training for a state title or college scholarship.
Scholarship Opportunities
We're not simply running a wrestling facility, we're training champions.
Whatever your wrestling goal, we'll help you achieve it: in elementary, middle school, high school, and college.
Our former Division 1 wrestling coaches have college connections and know what it takes to get your son or daughter's foot in the door at the university level.
Training at CES will give your athlete a competitive edge because we know what college coaches are specifically looking for! For more information about our private and semi-private advanced high school training click here →