Prior to the start of our varsity match on January 11, 2024, against Auburn High School, the WCUSD #15 Athletic and Activity Department along with the Williamsville Wrestling program and community, recognized a local resident who has contributed greatly to the kids’ club program over the years, and most recently to the newly formed program within the school district.

This individual not only has inspired others as an athlete but also for the obstacles he has overcome as an adult. As a high school wrestler, he was Springfield’s first state wrestling champion, a three-time city champion, and amassed an undefeated record as a senior. Nearly forty years later, his high school achievements are still some of the best in the area. He wrestled collegiately at Illinois State University, where he was an NCAA qualifier, was ranked in the top twelve nationally as both a junior and senior, was team MVP and captain as a junior and senior and posted an 83-32 career record throughout his college career. He also gave back to the sport he loved so much and served as the head wrestling coach at Southeast High School from 1994 until 2003.

The setback and challenges he has faced as an adult have not stopped him from continuing to find ways to help others, has he founded a non-profit organization while also working at Hope Clinic to assist individuals who were also paralyzed so they could receive physical therapy.

Since moving to Williamsville, Greg has been a big part of the kids’ club wrestling program and always hoped that there would be an opportunity for the district to form both a junior high and high school wrestling program. He was ecstatic when this was finally able to come to fruition this school year.

The WCUSD #15 community is beyond grateful for the donation that Mr. Gardner recently made to the Williamsville Wrestling Program, to help ensure the sport that he loved and gave so much to him, will continue to grow and thrive.

We would like to recognize and thank Greg Gardner for his generosity and support of wrestling within the Williamsville and Sherman communities. We would also like to officially name our wrestling mat in honor of Greg.

The first day of practice for 2023-2024 Williamsville High School Wrestling Team will take place on Monday, November 6 from 3:45-5:45 pm in the old gym at Williamsville Junior High School.

All wrestlers must have a current physical within the last year and complete the athletic registration process online, or they WILL NOT be able to participate. You can access the athletic registration document at the following link: 23-24 Athletic Registration Form

If a players have an UPDATED PHYSICAL, they must bring a copy on the first day of practice and send a copy to Denise Bryant at bryant@wcusd15.org.

If you have additional questions regarding the first day of practice, the upcoming season, or anything regarding the Williamsville High School Wrestling team, please contact Head Coach Keith Ripperda at ripperda@wcusd15.org.  

The Williamsville High School Wrestling program will be holding open gyms on the following dates from 3:45-5:45 pm in the old gym at Williamsville Junior High School:

Tuesday, October 31 

Wednesday, November 1 

Thursday, November 2.

If you have any additional questions, you can contact Head Coach Keith Ripperda at ripperda@wcusd15.org.

The Williamsville Community Unit School District #15 Athletic Department along with Williamsville High School is excited to announce Keith Ripperda as the first head coach in the history of the Bullets Wrestling Program.

“Based upon his past experience as the head coach of the Riverton/Tri-City/Williamsville Wrestling CO-OP, combined with his past involvement at the kids’ club, and his overall involvement in the Williamsville and Sherman communities, we felt that there was no better person to help build the foundation of the Williamsville Wrestling Program. Coach Ripperda’s dedication to student-athletes and the overall betterment of the WCUSD #15 Athletic Department will allow him to help the wrestling program establish a tradition of excellence similar to what other programs across the district have become known for.” – Adam Eucker

Coach Ripperda brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him as the first high school head wrestling coach in school history. Over the past eighteen years, he has been involved in coaching both high school and youth sports across Sangamon County. Most recently, Coach Ripperda was a member of the coaching staff for the Riverton/Tri-City/Williamsville Wrestling CO-OP, having spent the last two seasons as the head coach of the program. Prior to coaching at the high school level, he spent over a decade coaching at a variety of kids clubs for wrestling in Riverton, Rochester, Springfield, and Williamsville, as well as JFL football in Williamsville and youth baseball.

“I am looking forward to the challenges and successes of being part of the new Bullet Wrestling Program. I hope to instill the wrestling mentality into as many athletes as possible. I truly believe that the lessons learned in wrestling helps to make individuals stronger mentally as it does athletically. This will help our student-athletes be successful not only on the mat, but in the classroom, and throughout life.” – Keith Ripperda

We are extremely excited for Coach Ripperda to continue to take what has been established with the wrestling CO-OP in the past, and meld wrestling into the Tradition of Excellence that is Bullet Athletics.