The wrestling mats at Nasson Community Center have become more than just a training ground. They're now a place where Sanford High School student-athletes are giving back to their community and helping shape the next generation of wrestlers. Since 2017, the Spartan Youth program has been transforming wrestling culture in Sanford, creating a pipeline of talent while promoting community connection. "Our Spartan Youth program has been a vital part of our success at the varsity level," Sanford High School Wrestling Head Coach Nate Smith said. "They are helping to train up the future varsity team, as well as helping us put on our tournaments and contributing to how our program runs smoothly." Chris Hill, who founded the program in 2017 when Sanford wrestling was struggling with low numbers, has seen it grow into a "well-oiled machine,” he said. The program now operates as its own non-profit organization, with high school athletes regularly returning to mentor younger wrestlers. "We don't typically let them have free range of teaching. We're usually still teaching and coaching, and they're assisting by being extra hands, an extra set of eyes in the room," Hill said. "They're definitely big parts of making sure kids are getting that one-on-one attention they need." The program has already come full circle. Some of the wrestlers on this year’s team, including Chris Hill’s son, Canton Hill, James Chapwick, and Connor Pickering, started their wrestling journeys in this very program. "They love knowing that they started here," Hill said, noting that Pickering now attends nearly every youth practice to give back. Beyond coaching assistance, these high school mentors serve as role models. "We encourage the younger kids to go to the high school meets, see what the high school wrestlers are doing," Hill says. "Then they have people they can look up to." For Sanford High School senior Phoebe Stevens, volunteering offers a way to stay connected to the sport. "I help them with whatever moves they need, because it can be a little bit hard to understand as a beginner," Stevens explains. She assists during practices and meets, noting that extra help is especially valuable "on weekends, because a lot of coaches have jobs." Stevens also shares a valuable perspective from her own wrestling experience with the young athletes. "The biggest lesson I want to pass along is about understanding your coach's encouragement," she says. "They push you because they see your potential and want you to achieve your best." The impact of this mentorship extends beyond wrestling technique. As Coach Smith observes, the program's influence reaches far beyond the mat. "Coach Chris Hill has been a huge asset for us over the past years that he has headed up the program," Coach Smith said. "I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity he gives our athletes to coach at the youth level. They learn how to give back to the community and reinforce the things they have learned at the high school level as well.”

From Students to Mentors: Sanford High School Wrestlers Give Back to Youth Program

Sanford School Department

January 3, 2025

The wrestling mats at Nasson Community Center have become more than just a training ground. 

They're now a place where Sanford High School student-athletes are giving back to their community and helping shape the next generation of wrestlers. 

Since 2017, the Spartan Youth program has been transforming wrestling culture in Sanford, creating a pipeline of talent while promoting community connection.

"Our Spartan Youth program has been a vital part of our success at the varsity level," Sanford High School Wrestling Head Coach Nate Smith said. "They are helping to train up the future varsity team, as well as helping us put on our tournaments and contributing to how our program runs smoothly."

Chris Hill, who founded the program in 2017 when Sanford wrestling was struggling with low numbers, has seen it grow into a "well-oiled machine,” he said. The program now operates as its own non-profit organization, with high school athletes regularly returning to mentor younger wrestlers.

"We don't typically let them have free range of teaching. We're usually still teaching and coaching, and they're assisting by being extra hands, an extra set of eyes in the room," Hill said. "They're definitely big parts of making sure kids are getting that one-on-one attention they need."

The program has already come full circle. Some of the wrestlers on this year’s team, including Chris Hill’s son, Canton Hill, James Chapwick, and Connor Pickering, started their wrestling journeys in this very program. 

"They love knowing that they started here," Hill said, noting that Pickering now attends nearly every youth practice to give back.

Beyond coaching assistance, these high school mentors serve as role models. "We encourage the younger kids to go to the high school meets, see what the high school wrestlers are doing," Hill says. "Then they have people they can look up to."

For Sanford High School senior Phoebe Stevens, volunteering offers a way to stay connected to the sport. "I help them with whatever moves they need, because it can be a little bit hard to understand as a beginner," Stevens explains. She assists during practices and meets, noting that extra help is especially valuable "on weekends, because a lot of coaches have jobs."

Stevens also shares a valuable perspective from her own wrestling experience with the young athletes. "The biggest lesson I want to pass along is about understanding your coach's encouragement," she says. "They push you because they see your potential and want you to achieve your best."

The impact of this mentorship extends beyond wrestling technique. As Coach Smith observes, the program's influence reaches far beyond the mat.

"Coach Chris Hill has been a huge asset for us over the past years that he has headed up the program," Coach Smith said. "I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity he gives our athletes to coach at the youth level. They learn how to give back to the community and reinforce the things they have learned at the high school level as well.”