INDIANAPOLIS — An empty lot in the usually quiet 2300 block of Nowland has been bustling the last week in May. Boys of various sizes, ages, and backgrounds, from 9 to 17, including one operating on a broken foot, have been hauling dirt in a wheelbarrow down a steep hill, digging trenches, and trying to cut metal rebar with a hacksaw. They are contributing to a work of art designed by Springdale artist Nick Gehlhausen. Thanks to two grants awarded by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), and Reconnecting Our Waterways (ROW), Springdale Neighborhood is preserving a 300 year old chinquapin oak by creating a permanent green space on its lot. The project includes landscaping with native plants, installing informational panels, and creating the aforementioned work of art, a ground level sculpture made of broken concrete to mimic the roots of the ancient oak. The boys are providing the labor to dig out the dirt to install the concrete pieces, and will be compensated for their labor through the ROW grant. They, in turn, will use that income to cover half the cost of a $300, 5-day wrestling camp at Wabash College this summer.
The boys are part of the Titan Wrestling Club, a non-profit wrestling club on the near east side that operates out of Arsenal Tech. Started by wrestling coach/social worker/landscape contractor Tim Barnes six years ago, today the club has 8 coaches and over 40 students, from third grade to high school. The kids train rigorously during the week, then compete in- and out-of-state on weekends. They learn what it takes to be successful. And they get to experience the larger world in ways they might not otherwise, like getting to stay in a hotel for the first time, meeting wrestlers from around the state, and getting coached by Olympic Gold Medal winners at Wabash College.
The main way students earn the funds to pay for competition travel, and for the 5-day summer camp, is to work on landscaping projects such as leaf removal in Woodruff Place, brush removal in Irvington, and for this last week in May, contributing to a work of art in Springdale. Not only are these kids training to be good wrestlers, and getting a chance to see a bit of the wider world, they’re also learning about integrity. This is an important part of it for Barnes who has a background in social work and a degree in education and music. He wants to teach them how to be responsible people, no excuses.
It costs students $35 for an annual wrestling card in order to participate in the program. For non-IPS students, the cost is $50/month. Shoes and other clothing can add costs, although there are some donated shoes available, and Arsenal Tech supplies singlets for Tech wrestlers.
Students must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to participate in competitions, and those with the most points get to compete. Points are based on GPA, attendance, and wrestling ability.
As is typical with small non-profits, the club ekes out necessary funds by holding fundraisers, writing grants, and getting donations. For more info, contact Tim Barnes at tim@barneslandscapeservices.com.
