Across North Carolina, wrestling clubs and colleges are hosting “scraps” — open training sessions designed to help young wrestlers sharpen their skills and foster competitive growth.
Each weekend, a different host site volunteers to organize a Scrap, offering two hours of focused drilling and technique, followed by two hours of live wrestling.
The @ncsaturdayscraps Instagram account regularly posts updated locations and schedules. Despite the name “Saturday Scraps,” these sessions are occasionally held on Sundays to accommodate weekend tournaments.
Kendall Nelson, founder of NC Saturday Scraps, head wrestling coach at Parkland High School and coach and co-founder of K-Vegas Elite Wrestling Club, was asked what he would hope to accomplish with NC Saturday Scraps.
“I want to help North Carolina [wrestling] grow and become more competitive with the more elite states,” Nelson said.
According to Nelson, the program offers multiple benefits, including: “learning high-level techniques, training with new partners, competing in different tournaments and access to a virtual training app.”
Nelson mentions a virtual training app, ncscraps.com, which, according to its website, is an “ultimate companion for dedicated wrestlers.” It allows scrappers to collect stamps at every scrap they visit, track their training with AI, and connect with clubs across the circuit.
One part of growing competitive wrestling in North Carolina is providing opportunities for everyone, including student wrestlers. NC Saturday Scraps addresses this need by having schools such as Glenn High School host Scraps. Glenn High School wrestling coach Larry Barron shared his thoughts on whether attending scraps can help WS/FCS wrestlers.
“I think it’s more broad than just WS/FCS, I think it can affect any kid that attends it on a regular basis, and really gets locked in with different coaches, different looks, and different wrestlers,” he said.
He also states that he encourages his wrestlers to attend scraps because “It is a great workout and great instruction, you can never go wrong with live wrestling and getting out in a few hours.”
Students who participate in NC Saturday Scraps see the benefits of the program. WS/FCS middle school wrestler Steven Faubion said, “We get to wrestle with different kids on different levels across the state,” and [learn] different skills from new clubs.”
Alex Williams-Gist, a Spartan junior wrestler, noted that attending scraps could open opportunities for Spartans.
“A lot of people like wrestling, and there isn’t always the place or the ability to wrestle here at Tabor.”
Since the start of the NC Saturday Scraps in early August, the program has seen significant growth. When asked about this, Nelson stated, “The number of scrappers doubled, more members and parents signed up, and more clubs bought in.”
The number of new users to the NC Saturday Scraps website also attests to the program’s growth, with 106 scrappers, 12 club and 19 parent users as of Oct. 16.
Nelson hopes to continue with the program “until every wrestler succeeds.”