Our Coaches

Our coaches have all wrestled at some of the highest levels of the sport. More importantly, though, is they love teaching the new generation of wrestlers with passion, enthusiasm, and fun!

RKDA Roadrunners Wrestling, Phoenix, Arizona

Head Coach

Ray Waters

Graduate of Spring Valley High School (Las Vegas, Nevada).
Posted a career record of 223-19.
Three-time Nevada State high school wrestling finalist.
Went undefeated (54-0) his senior year to become the state champion.
Fargo Freestyle All-American.
Nevada State Wrestler of the Year.
2012 Las Vegas, Nevada Review Journal Wrestler of the Year.
Wrestled at Arizona State University

Head Coach

AJ Rees

3x Colorado State Champion
High School National Finalist
Fila Jr All-American
World Team Trials Qualifier

Assistant Coach

Shawn Portillo

Grew up in Southern California, started wrestling in the late 9th grade at Servite High School.
Graduated from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa 2016 and achieved CIF & Masters Champions the same year for Churchboyz Wrestling.
Individually placed 6th (2015) & 5th (2016) at CIF and was a Masters Qualifier.

RKDA Founder

Santino DeFranco

Santino DeFranco founded Arcadia Youth Wrestling Club so his children and other local children have a place nearby to learn to wrestle
Santino is the Head MMA Coach at Fight Ready MMA and Siege MMA, and has coached numerous UFC fighters including Henry Cejudo, Tracy Cortez, Korean Zombie, Eryk Anders, Daveison Figueredo, Jonathan Pierce, Kamuela Kirk and many more.

santinodefranco@gmail.com

Address:

1524 E Pierson St

Phoenix, AZ 85014

Located inside Pro Edge Boxing and MMA