HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Jason Guyton of the Guyton Wrestling Academy has converted his passion for wrestling into a resource for the future.
"Wrestling is at a stage where we have to focus on the business of wrestling more than the sport of wrestling," says Jason Guyton. "We have to build this sport."
The journey began 30 years ago in Jason's hometown of St. Louis. Inspired by his parents selflessness he knew one day he'd end up in a position to give back.
"Our father took a chance and he believed in his kids," says Guyton. "He said if I give them a platform whether it be football, soccer, basketball, track, wrestling whatever they could have a better life and opportunity than I did."
Jason went on to build an historic career becoming the first freshman at Howard University to qualify for an NCAA Division 1 National Title. He eventually stepped off the mat but made a return thanks to his brother.
"Jeremy started the St. Louis Warriors in St. Louis, Missouri and he was having success," says Guyton. "I started missing the sport a lot and he was the guy who said come back, this is your sport."
Guyton Wrestling Academy opened its doors in 2018 and has coached dozens of athletes to national titles. Most recently a midwest championship gaining recognition both near and far.
"I've seen good guys that I know of wrestle with him so it gave me the sense that he knows what he's doing, says Timothy Tremble.
With its third location officially open in the heart of Huntsville, Jason hopes the gym remains as a consistent resource for the community and a epicenter for the wrestlers of the future.
There's a lot of opportunities that are being missed," says Guyton. "There's a segment of folks who seem to always get missed from the high-level training the high-level teams are out there that they a can't afford or cant get the support. So this is a lane for Guyton Wrestling and all of us that really care about that so this is a lane to say regardless if you have resources or not wrestling is available to you and we're going to make sure you're able to compete and able to train."