Home of Olympians, National Champions, and Proven Development
CYC's wrestling program has produced Olympians, world medalists, and national champions since 1997. This is not a seasonal school team or a recreational club. It is one of the most accomplished youth wrestling programs in California, operating year-round out of a single Concord facility and accepting beginners as young as age 5. Head Coach Steve Gee has led the program since 2002, producing 41 California Age Group State titles and 13 National Champions. Head Assistant Coach Robby Smith is a CYC alumnus who began wrestling here at age nine and went on to become a 2016 Olympian and four-time Senior World Team Member. When your child trains here, they train in a program with a thirty-year championship tradition and coaches who have lived it themselves.
Is Your Child Ready to Start Wrestling?
It's common to wonder if your child is too young or inexperienced to begin wrestling. Many families across Concord and Contra Costa County are looking for a program that meets kids where they are instead of placing them into advanced training too soon. Community Youth Center offers structured youth wrestling starting at age 5, with a clear color-coded progression system that helps beginners build confidence before moving forward. From our Concord facility, families from Pleasant Hill and nearby communities find a program designed for steady growth, not pressure, while also benefiting from options like after-school programs that combine academics and athletics in one place.
Year-Round Class Structure
CYC wrestling offers year-round classes for boys and girls ages 5 through 18, with instruction spanning Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman. Athletes progress through a color-coded shirt system based on skill and readiness, ensuring every wrestler, from first-time beginner to competitive athlete, is placed appropriately and has a clear path forward.
K5 Recreational — White Shirts (Ages 5–10)
An introductory class teaching fundamental wrestling techniques and rules. Sessions focus on gymnastics, body control, and coordination through fun, structured activities. This is the entry point for all new wrestlers regardless of prior experience.
K5 Recreational — Yellow Shirts (Ages 5–10)
For wrestlers who have mastered the White Shirt level. Builds on fundamentals with increased focus on body control, weight distribution, and more advanced techniques.
K5 Intermediate Level 1 — Light Blue Shirts (Ages 7–10)
Introduces hand-fighting, agility, and advanced movement. Wrestlers develop strength, balance, and technical precision as training becomes more demanding.
K5 — Royal Blue Shirts (Ages 10–14)
For athletes with significant experience. Focuses on high-level technique, coordination, and strategic movement in preparation for middle school wrestling.
Middle School Level 1 — White Shirts (Ages 10–14)
Blends introductory and intermediate training with an emphasis on wrestling fundamentals, strength, conditioning, and competition readiness.
Middle School Level 2 — Dark Blue Shirts (Ages 10–14)
Advanced training for committed wrestlers. Requires full attendance and adherence to a structured training plan, with an emphasis on sport-specific technique, discipline, and tournament preparation.
Seasonal Classes
High School Greco-Roman and Freestyle (Spring and Summer)
Designed for high school wrestlers learning international styles. Sessions focus on the technical differences between Folkstyle and Greco-Roman and Freestyle competition, preparing athletes who want to pursue wrestling beyond the high school season.
High School Folkstyle (Fall)
Prepares athletes for the high school season with advanced skill refinement, positional awareness, and live wrestling drills. Class sizes are limited for individualized coaching.
Meet the CYC Wrestling Coaches
Steve Gee — Head Wrestling Coach
Steve Gee began coaching at CYC in 2002 and became a full-time coach in 2007. A De La Salle graduate and Cal Poly wrestling alumnus, Coach Gee is a two-time Greco All-American, California Triple Crown winner, and state champion. Under his leadership, CYC wrestling has produced 41 California Age Group State titles and 13 National Champions.
Robby Smith — Head Assistant Wrestling Coach
Robby Smith is a CYC alumnus who began wrestling at the center at age nine. He went on to become a 2016 Olympian, four-time Senior World Team Member, Pan-American Champion, and World Top-5 finisher, accumulating more than 13 years of experience at the Olympic Training Center and serving as a coach at Northwestern University. Coach Smith brings that elite background back to CYC, coaching the next generation of wrestlers with direct knowledge of what championship development looks like at the highest level.
A Track Record That Speaks for Itself
Since 1997, CYC wrestling has built one of the most decorated records of any youth program in California. Full championship records are available for reference below.
List of Services
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National ChampionsItem Link List Item 1
National Champions
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Regional Champions Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.Item Link List Item 2
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Individual State Champions Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.Item Link List Item 3
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Team State Championships Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.Item Link List Item 4
List of Services
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California Triple Crown WinnersItem Link List Item 1
National Champions
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World Team Members Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.Item Link List Item 2
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Regional Medalists Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.Item Link List Item 3
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All-Americans Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.Item Link List Item 4
What Makes CYC Wrestling Different
Year-Round Training
School teams and most local clubs operate on a seasonal schedule. CYC wrestling runs year-round, allowing athletes to build skills continuously and prepare for competition without losing progress between seasons.
Coaches Who Have Competed at the Highest Level
Head Coach Steve Gee has produced 41 state titles and 13 national champions at CYC. Head Assistant Coach Robby Smith is a CYC alumnus and 2016 Olympian. The depth of coaching here is not found in school programs or recreational clubs.
A Complete Progression System
The six-level color-coded system ensures every athlete is placed appropriately and has a clear path forward, from White Shirt fundamentals through competitive Middle School training. Athletes advance based on demonstrated skill, not age alone.
Instruction Across All Three Wrestling Styles
Most youth programs focus on Folkstyle only. CYC develops athletes in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman, preparing wrestlers for competition at every level including national and international events.
Academic Accountability
CYC requires homework and tutoring time before sports participation. Athletes who train here develop as students alongside developing as wrestlers, reinforcing the discipline the sport builds on the mat.
Ready to Get Your Child Started in Wrestling?
Families often reach a point where they want more structure and direction in their child's activities. Community Youth Center provides a steady, proven environment where beginners and advanced athletes can grow with confidence while maintaining balance with school and other commitments.
What to Expect From Start to Finish
Starting wrestling should feel clear and manageable for both kids and parents. At Community Youth Center, the process is designed to guide athletes step by step while building confidence.
From the first session, your child is placed into the appropriate level based on age and experience, beginning at the White Shirt level if new to the sport. Training starts with fundamentals including stance, body control, and basic techniques before advancing through the color-coded shirt system over time. Coaches monitor progress closely, helping each athlete move forward when they are ready. Year-round availability means development is continuous, not dependent on a season. Families gain a consistent routine that supports both physical development and discipline, often complemented by structured options like after-school programs.
Common Questions About Youth Wrestling
What age can kids start wrestling at CYC?
Children can begin wrestling at age 5, with the White Shirt beginner level designed specifically for first-time athletes.
Is 5 years old too young for wrestling?
No. The White Shirt class is structured around developmental readiness, focusing on gymnastics, body control, and coordination rather than competition.
Do kids need experience before joining CYC wrestling?
No prior experience is required. The White Shirt level is built for children who are completely new to the sport.
What styles of wrestling does CYC teach?
CYC teaches Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman, giving athletes a complete foundation for competition at local, national, and international levels.
Has CYC wrestling produced Olympians?
Yes. Robby Smith, a CYC alumnus who began training here at age nine, competed at the 2016 Olympics. The program has also produced world medalists and national champions since 1997.
Is CYC wrestling year-round or seasonal?
Year-round classes are available for ages 5 through 18, with seasonal high school sessions added in fall, spring, and summer.
Program Hours and Policies
Wrestling classes are offered year-round, with schedules varying by age group and season. Current practice times are listed in the CYC Class Schedule.
To maintain a safe and productive training environment, students must attend classes consistently and arrive on time, show respect toward coaches and peers at all times, wear proper CYC-approved wrestling attire, and demonstrate sportsmanship, effort, and dedication in every session. Students who miss more than two classes per month may lose eligibility for promotion or competition.
Train Where Proven Results Begin
Families across Concord and the East Bay choose Community Youth Center for youth wrestling that combines structure, championship-level coaching, and a thirty-year track record of success. Whether your child is just starting or ready to grow further, this program provides a clear path forward, with easy access from Pleasant Hill and nearby communities.
Donate to CYC
Your donation helps keep CYC programs affordable and accessible for every child in our community. Together, we can continue providing safe, structured spaces where youth grow stronger, smarter, and more confident.
