The West Side wrestlers will have the opportunity to compete in around 20 matches at the Turf Wars Tournament.

LAHAINA — Lahaina Youth Wrestling is responding to the recovery to the restrictions of the pandemic in a big way.

According to head coach Zane Monteleone, the program has set its sights on the Turf Wars Tournament, a freestyle, Greco, folk-style, dual meet, team versus team, state versus state competition that will take place in Farmington, Utah, on July 19-25.

“This experience will benefit all of the kids that will be going on the trip,” explained West Side wrestling mentor Monteleone last week.

“We’ll be taking 20 kids — some elementary and middle school age, but mostly high school wrestlers — up there. They’ll compete in freestyle, Greco Roman, dual meets and individual competition. It will really benefit all of the kids that go up there, as they will be averaging about 20 matches each. This will be a great experience for them, as they will wrestle so many times in a short period of time. It’ll be like a whole MIL season compressed into a week or so.”

Coach Zane is joined by a veteran group of assistants, including Terry Shibao, Na’o Ah Puck, Christian Balagso, Ivy Navarro, Shane Cunanan and Kai Keahi.

The West Side clubs, including the Napili Surfriders, Lahaina Roughnecks and Lahaina Wrestling Club, have all been working to prepare for the July experience.

With approximately a month to go before taking off for Utah, the West Maui contingent of Team Hawaii is holding fund-raisers, including lau lau plates and smoked meat meals over the past two weeks.

Coach Zane reported that over a dozen Maui businesses and organizations have made contributions to the effort, and that support is coming from all around the island.

From local farmers, the kids’ families and throughout the community, the contributions are coming in.

“We really appreciate all of the family and community support, and this will all make for a great experience for all of the kids. Thank you to everyone,” Coach Zane concluded.