About Us
Building champions on and off the mat since 2023
How It Started
Founded in 2023, WhiteStar Wrestling Club began with a small handful of athletes under Coaches Nick Herington and Duke Ramos. The coaches were inspired to start their own club when they saw the needs in the area, the success of their athletes, and changes needed to how the sport is approached.
Our goal is to give the Coachella Valley a dedicated wrestling club where the success of each wrestler is paramount. Today, lots of wrestling clubs are expensive, and some demonstrate little desire for the athlete to succeed. Many of these clubs are more concerned with their profits and attendance numbers, rather than being concerned with pushing the athletes to succeed and making them into quality wrestlers.
Challenge. Elevate. Compete.
To create an environment where wrestlers are challenged daily. Our club is focused on elevating the technical and physical attributes of each wrestler, and elevating the quality of wrestling in the local area overall. We aim to build each wrestler into the champion they are, both on and off the mat.
Tough Conditioning
Physical preparation that pushes wrestlers to their limits
Technical Excellence
Extreme emphasis on technique and proper fundamentals
Winning Mindset
Tuning mindset for success in competition and in life
Wrestling is Fun
This club is going to push the athletes like their own high school coach would; through tough conditioning, intense drill sessions, an extreme emphasis on technique and proper fundamentals, and tuning their mindset for success in competition and in life.
In competition, we like to remind our athletes that "wrestling is fun". While we certainly maintain a seriousness and intensity about the sport, we believe the fun of competing shouldn't be overlooked or taken away.
"If you go to the arcade and win a ton of prizes, that's a great day. If you go to the arcade and don't win anything, you still got to play and have a great time with the games. That's still a pretty good day."
— Jordan Burroughs, 7x World & Olympic Champion
While we push our athletes to better themselves and set high expectations, we never want them to forget that it's just a sport, and it's meant to be enjoyed.
Meet the Coaches
Coach Nick Herington
Co-Founder & Head Coach
Coach Nick has been coaching wrestling since 2014. He wrestled at Great Oak High School in the hotbed of the CIF Southern Section — the Temecula Valley. Trained by Coach J.P Santone, Coach Mark Perryman, and Coach Joe Conroy, Nick has had the opportunity to learn from many of the best wrestlers and coaches around.
During his time coaching at Great Oak, Coach Nick helped create a culture of integrity and honor amongst athletes, coaching over a dozen CIF and Master's Meet place-winners, and several CIF State qualifiers.
Leaving Temecula for work, Nick began coaching at Shadow Hills High School in 2021. Within his first three years on staff, he brought the team to a back-to-back 2nd place league finish (defeated only by the #4 ranked team in the state). Coach Nick also helped lead Shadow Hills to their first appearance at the CIF State tournament in 2024, with their first state qualifier in program history.
Coach Duke Ramos
Co-Founder & Head Coach
Coach Duke Ramos wrestled for Indio High School under CA Wrestling Hall of Fame Coach John Rice. Coach Ramos was a part of the legendary Rajas team that amassed a 98 match winning streak. After leaving high school in '83, Coach Ramos served in the US Air Force.
Once his service ended, Coach Ramos began studying massage and physical therapy — a field in which he has over 30 years of experience and countless certifications.
Coach Ramos coached at Shadow Hills High School from 2020–2024, during which time the program flourished with their first appearance at the CIF State tournament. During his tenure at Shadow Hills, his team finished inside the top 10 at every tournament they went to.
Contact Us
Have questions about joining WhiteStar Wrestling Club? Reach out and we'll get back to you.
Location
Coachella Valley, CA