Illinois Wrestling Academy

The Takedown Lab

“I shoot I score, you shoot I score”

Train with a national champion · Arlington Heights, IL

Our Mission

Built to make you dangerous on offense

The Takedown Lab was created with one clear purpose — to elevate your offensive production in the sport of wrestling. This isn’t just another practice. This is a lab. A dedicated environment where wrestlers come to study, experiment, and sharpen the skills that put points on the board. Whether you’re just finding your stance or already competing at a high level, this club meets you where you are and pushes you further than you thought you could go.

80–85%

Scoring the first takedown gives you an 80–85% chance of winning the match. That’s not a coincidence — that’s science. At The Takedown Lab, we train with that stat in mind every single session. We obsess over the first shot, the first tie, the first position. Because the wrestler who strikes first usually strikes last.

Key fundamentals we drill

Stance & base

Footwork

Wrestling pace

Forward pressure

Hand fighting

Hand fighting to offense

Capturing offensive ties

Offensive positions

Defensive fundamentals

Re-attacks

Positive self-talk

Training only

The Takedown Lab is a training-focused club — we don’t enter competitions or tournaments as a team. Our mat time is dedicated entirely to development, repetition, and growth. No distractions. Just work.

Developmental matches

While we don’t compete as a club, we send out weekly newsletters highlighting developmental match opportunities in the area — so athletes who want to test their growth always have a path to do so on their own terms.

Your Coach

Davonte Mahomes

DM

Davonte Mahomes

Owner & Head Coach

Nat. titles3

HS record161-17

College record24-11

State titleIHSA 3A Champ

CollegeU of Michigan

National Titles

2013 USA Wrestling Jr. National Champion — Folkstyle

2013 USA Wrestling Jr. National Champion — Greco-Roman

NHSCA National Champion

2013 USA Wrestling Jr. Freestyle National Runner-Up

High School — OPRF

IHSA Class 3A State Champion

Three-time IHSA State Place Winner

Key member of 2014 OPRF IHSA Class 3A team state title

Career record 161-17 — OPRF program record for career wins

University of Michigan

Career record: 24-11 (11-5 duals, 13-6 tournaments)

Michigan State Open Freshman/Sophomore Champion at 174 lbs (5-0, 2014)

Win over future NCAA standout Myles Martin (#15 Ohio State) in 2016 Big Ten dual

2×USA Jr. National Champ

IHSAClass 3A State Champion

161-17OPRF career record

U of MCollegiate wrestler

Registration

Secure your spot on the mat

Spots are limited — complete all steps below to lock in your athlete’s registration for the Summer 2026 session. Questions? Reach out at score@thetakedownlab.com or call (224) 330-8556.

Session schedule

May 18First practice

July 22Last practice

Mon / Tue / WedPractice days

5:15–7PMPractice time

30Total practices

$20Per practice

$600Total (one-time)

Step 01

Athlete information

Athlete’s full name — first and last

Date of birth and age

Weight class (current or estimated)

School / grade for Fall 2026

Experience level — beginner, intermediate, or advanced

All athlete information is kept private and used only for club records.

Step 02

Parent / guardian information

Parent / guardian full name

Phone number — primary contact

Email address — for newsletters & updates

Emergency contact name & number

Email is required to receive weekly developmental match newsletters.

Step 03

Required forms

Complete your registration online below — your information is sent directly to Coach Davonte at score@thetakedownlab.com. You will receive a confirmation within 24 hours.

✎ Complete registration form online

Athlete details

Athlete first name *

Athlete last name *

Date of birth *

Age *

Weight class

Experience level *

School

Grade (Fall 2026)

Parent / guardian

Parent / guardian full name *

Phone number *

Email address *

Emergency contact name *

Emergency contact phone *

Medical information

Known medical conditions / allergies

Current medications

Photo / media release

Full release — approve all use on social media, website & promotional materials

Limited — internal use only, no public social media

No release — do not photograph my child

Agreements

I have read and agree to the Participant Waiver & Liability Release — I release The Takedown Lab and Coach Davonte Mahomes from liability related to my child's participation.

I have read and agree to the Code of Conduct — both my athlete and I will uphold the standards of The Takedown Lab throughout the session.

I understand the $600 one-time fee is due before May 18, 2026 and that registration is not complete until payment is received.

Additional notes

Your information is sent directly to score@thetakedownlab.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. Registration is complete once this form is submitted AND payment is received.

✓ Registration submitted!

Coach Davonte will follow up at your email address within 24 hours to confirm your spot and provide next steps.

Step 04

Payment

Preferred: Zelle — send $600 directly to (224) 330-8556 · The Takedown Lab LLC

Also accepted: Stripe — credit & debit cards online — credit & debit cards accepted

Also accepted: Zelle, Venmo, cash, or check payable to The Takedown Lab

Deadline: Must be received before May 18, 2026

Confirmation email sent within 24 hrs of payment receipt

Pay with Stripe

Stripe accepts all major credit & debit cards. Zelle sends directly to our business account. Questions? Email score@thetakedownlab.com or call (224) 330-8556.

& debit cards. Your payment is encrypted and secure. Questions? Email score@thetakedownlab.com or call (224) 330-8556.

Contact

Get in touch

Phone

(224) 330-8556

Email

score@thetakedownlab.com

Location

1213 E Oakton St
Arlington Heights, IL 60004Enter from the back parking lot

The Takedown Lab

Built to make you dangerous on offense

Davonte Mahomes

Secure your spot on the mat

Get in touch

Phone

Email

Location

Follow us

Pay with Zelle