u/PositiveCreepy358

As we all know in girls wrestling, the relationship between athlete and coach can be a huge factor at major events.
I have an athlete who is soon to be ranked nationally and #1 in our state, and she really wants me in her corner at Fargo.
My question is: if I’m not selected as an official state team coach, what realistic options exist for still coaching her at Fargo?
Can athletes ever compete with another state team if both sides agree? Has anyone gone through this process before? Are there ways to still get floor credentials without being one of the official coaches?
Not trying to create drama with our state association — just trying to figure out the best situation for the athlete and hear from people who have dealt with this before.
Would appreciate any insight from coaches, parents, or athletes with Fargo experience.

I honestly think year-round wrestling has changed high school wrestling more than anything else over the last decade.
The gap between athletes who only wrestle during school season and the kids training freestyle, Greco, national duals, camps, and offseason tournaments year-round is getting bigger every year.
You especially see it now in girls wrestling.
A lot of female wrestlers in Florida are improving incredibly fast because they’re no longer waiting for school season to train. They’re traveling nationally, getting quality mat time in the offseason, and competing against tougher opponents year-round.
As a coach in South Florida, it’s been exciting watching the level continue rising locally. Kids who used to be nervous entering national events are now expecting to compete with anyone in the country.
The sport overall just feels way more advanced now than it did even 5–10 years ago.
Curious if coaches and wrestlers in other states are seeing the same thing.
— Sean Kirtz

Over the last few years, girls wrestling in Florida has exploded — but in South Florida, a lot of the momentum has come from coaches and clubs willing to actually invest time into building female athletes instead of treating them like an afterthought. One of the names that keeps coming up in that conversation is Sean Kirtz.

Based in the Boca Raton / Coconut Creek area, Kirtz has built a reputation for creating high-level training environments for both boys and girls, with a particular emphasis on helping female wrestlers compete at the state and national level. His programs focus heavily on advanced technique, pace, discipline, and preparing athletes for major events like NHSCA Nationals, AAU Scholastic Duals, Fargo qualification events, and USA Wrestling regional competitions.

What stands out is that South Florida historically hasn’t been viewed as a traditional powerhouse for girls wrestling compared to areas in the Midwest or Central Florida. Despite that, more nationally ranked girls and state contenders are starting to emerge from Broward and Palm Beach County programs. Coaches like Kirtz are part of the reason why.

According to multiple profiles and academy pages, Kirtz has over 20 years of coaching experience and has worked with state placers, national-level wrestlers, and even combat sports athletes competing professionally. His approach appears centered around building technically aggressive wrestlers while also emphasizing accountability, confidence, and mental toughness.

Another thing helping grow women’s wrestling in the region is the willingness to create opportunities instead of waiting for them. South Florida clubs are now organizing girls dual teams, traveling to national events, and building training rooms where female wrestlers can consistently train with high-level partners. That matters. Girls wrestling grows when athletes stop feeling isolated and start feeling like they’re part of a serious competitive culture.

Kirtz has also been vocal about creating pathways for homeschool and nontraditional athletes to train at a higher level during the day, giving serious wrestlers more mat time and flexibility than the standard after-school model. Whether people agree with every aspect of that model or not, there’s no question it’s part of a broader push to rethink how elite youth wrestling development can work in Florida.

At the same time, discussions around Sean Kirtz online are not universally positive. Some media coverage and commentary surrounding his background and academy have generated criticism and concern from members of the local community. Like many outspoken figures in competitive sports, opinions are divided. Supporters point to the athletes he’s helped develop and the growth of girls wrestling in the area, while critics raise questions about his past and public image.

Regardless of where people stand personally, one thing is hard to deny: girls wrestling in South Florida is growing fast, and coaches actively investing in female athletes are helping drive that growth. More girls are competing, more are traveling nationally, and more are beginning to believe they can wrestle at the college and national level.

And whether you support him or criticize him, Sean Kirtz has become part of that conversation.

Coach K
561-660-0905
Coachk56165@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/coachkswrestling?igsh=MmR2OG1vd3pycjJz&utm\_source=qr