Rising Above Wrestling

06/28/2026

06/25/2026

Thank you to GRYWL for their ongoing support of Rising Above Wrestling as well as all the sponsors, and people who have been supporting this cause to provide an amazing outlet for youth throughout the Greater Rochester area and the City of Rochester. RAW Rochester is more than just a wrestling club it offers mentorship and opportunity to child!! visit www.customcharitygolf.com to learn more on how you can help support RAW and participate is a great day of golf and support!

GRYWL is proud to support Rising Above Wrestling and the Custom Charity Golf Classic, happening August 17th at historic Locust Hill Country Club. www.customcharitygolf.com

Join us by registering a foursome, becoming a sponsor, donating, or simply helping spread the word. Together, we can create opportunities that last a lifetime.

The Custom Charity Golf Classic is more than just a day on the course — it’s an opportunity to change lives.

Proceeds help provide wrestling shoes, headgear, tournament entry fees, travel, mentoring, academic support, and move us closer to our vision of securing a permanent facility where young people can train, learn, and grow year-round.
Every dollar raised benefits Rising Above Wrestling, a free wrestling and mentoring program serving City of Rochester youth and other underserved children throughout Monroe County.

🏌️‍♂️⛳ Register. Sponsor. Support. Spread the word.
www.customcharitygolf.com

04/10/2026

VENI
VIDI
VICI
- Caesar

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

The City of Rochester is officially joining the Greater Rochester Youth Wrestling League for the 2027 season.

Through the Rising Above Wrestling (RAW) program, the City of Rochester will now have its own team competing within the GRYWL, marking a major step forward for youth wrestling in our region.

Rising Above Wrestling (RAW) is a non-for-profit program dedicated to growing the sport of wrestling among Rochester city youth.

This has been a long time coming.

The GRYWL is proud to finally welcome a City of Rochester youth wrestling team into the league, expanding both our reach and our mission.

With this addition, the league now anticipates 21 clubs competing in the 2027 season, continuing to solidify GRYWL as one of the premier development-focused youth wrestling leagues in the country.

This is more than expansion.
This is impact.
This is growth.

Welcome to the league, Rochester. 🟣⚫️

04/08/2026

JOIN THE RAW JOURNEY!

Join us for an exciting FREE Youth Wrestling Program for ages 8–15! This is a great opportunity for participants of all skill levels to learn the fundamentals of wrestling, build confidence, and have fun in a supportive and encouraging environment.

03/28/2026

https://rawroc.com/free-youth-wrestling-rochester-donations/

Rising Above Wrestling offers free youth wrestling in Rochester NY for inner-city kids. Learn why donations and community support keep the program growing.

03/27/2026

03/21/2026

RAW Practice This Week
Tuesday & Thursday 6-7:30pm

03/21/2026

Rising Above Wrestling (RAW Rochester) is proud to announce Frankie Gissendanner as Head Coach.

A true product of the City of Rochester, Frankie was born and raised in Rochester and remains deeply rooted in the same community he now steps forward to serve.

Frankie is one of the most decorated wrestlers to come out of Rochester in recent history.

Six-time Section V Champion
Six-time New York State Qualifier
Five-time New York State place winner
Four-time New York State Champion
2016 Cadet Fargo National Champion

Following his dominant high school career, Frankie continued his journey at Rider University before transferring to Niagara County Community College, where he became a two-time All-American. He later earned his bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo.

But what makes this moment matter isn’t just the accolades, it’s the full-circle impact.

“I’m proud to be in a position to give back to the same city and community that raised me,” Gissendanner said. “Wrestling gave me discipline, direction, and opportunity. Now it’s my turn to pass that on to the next generation.”

As Head Coach of Rising Above Wrestling, Frankie will lead the development of our student-athletes both on and off the mat, instilling discipline, accountability, and confidence in youth across the City of Rochester.

This is exactly what RAW is about.
Not just building wrestlers:
building stronger young men and women, right here in our city.

To support Rising Above Wrestling visit https://rawroc.com/donate/

03/16/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rising-above-wrestling-raw-rochester_rising-above-wrestling-earns-501c3-status-activity-7426090133994643456-EMLQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAEv4hioBxYKlXCNjD4Uwq9vkuyF1NzscEEw

Rising Above Wrestling is now a 501(c)(3), enabling sustainable funding, partnerships, and expanded youth programming. Read the full update to learn what’s next. https://lnkd.in/gTpJ-ZsR