About

Garage Crew Wrestling is an *off-season youth wrestling school* in Orono, Minnesota, run by Orono High School head coach *Jeff Wichern* and his wife, Amanda. It trains boys and girls from pre-K through 12th grade and draws wrestlers from across the west metro who want extra mat time outside the regular club season.

The school began in the Wicherns' *garage during the COVID shutdown* and later moved into the lower-level wrestling room at Orono High School. It runs as a spring-through-fall complement to in-season clubs rather than a competing program.

The culture is deliberately personal. Practices stay small, the Wicherns reinvest most fees into their coaching staff, and the stated goal is a *family atmosphere, not a factory*.

What to expect

Group practices are organized by age. A *Tots session* for pre-K and kindergarten meets Sunday afternoons, followed by a *first- through eighth-grade practice*, both in the Orono High School wrestling room. Middle school and high school wrestlers are welcome as they progress.

Beyond group training, Garage Crew offers *private and small-group sessions* focused on technique, strength, conditioning, and mental toughness. Options include one-on-one coaching, 45-minute small groups, and even *virtual and travel sessions* for families who need flexibility.

Highlights

The program's signature is *coaching depth*: most practices run with five to nine coaches, compared with about three at a typical club — which Jeff believes is the most of any wrestling school in the state. That ratio means beginners get real *one-on-one attention*.

Coach Jeff Wichern brings *25-plus years* of experience across youth, club, high school, and Team USA wrestling, was a three-time state qualifier himself, and now leads the Orono High School program. Several assistants wrestled for him directly, and the emphasis is always on *fundamentals and repetition* over flashy moves.

Pricing

Group training runs in *two-to-three-month blocks* of roughly 10 to 12 practices, typically *$200 to $250 per session*. That works out to a low per-practice cost for a program that staffs five to nine coaches on the mat at once.

Private options are priced separately: *small-group sessions* are $100 for up to four wrestlers or $200 for up to ten, and one-on-one and virtual coaching are available on request. New families can try a *single trial practice* before committing to a full session.

Good to know

Garage Crew is *off-season by design*, running mostly April through November so it doesn't overlap the standard November-to-April club season. Wrestlers use it to *supplement* their in-season clubs.

Practices are held at the *Orono High School* lower-level wrestling room, 795 Old Crystal Bay Road North. Registration is handled online, and sessions turn over a few times a year, so there's usually an upcoming start date.

The program is best suited to *novice and developing wrestlers* who want to improve — part of the Wicherns' mission is building Orono into a genuine wrestling community and moving kids toward state and national competition.

Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Recent reviews

I can’t say enough great things about Wichern Garage Crew Wrestling! Coach Jeff Wichern is truly one of the most dedicated and passionate coaches I’ve encountered. His love for the sport is evident in every practice,…

Rob Kim · 5/5 · a year ago

If you want your child to excel as a wrestler and as a person this is your place and Jeff is your man. Our son has been with Jeff for about 8 years. Jeff has built a relationship that goes beyond the mat and into my…

amanda jackson · 5/5 · a year ago

My son has been working with Jeff Wichern and participating in Wichern Crew for over 8 years. I cannot recommend Jeff enough to anyone who may be considering working with him. I have never come across a coach who…

Sara Kellogg · 5/5 · a year ago

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