About Our Coaches
Connor Cummings and Danny Balderas started War Dog Training Center in 2023 with the goal of helping young wrestlers grow into confident, tough, and competitive athletes.
Their history together goes back to Downers Grove North High School, where they wrestled as teammates. After graduation, they became college rivals in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), competing against each other while continuing to develop their own wrestling careers.
Head Coaches
Connor Cummings
Connor was a four-year starter and team captain at Augustana College from 2011-2015. During that time, Augustana was consistently ranked among the top Division III programs in the country. Connor placed fourth at the 2014 Iowa Regional and trained under two-time University of Iowa national champion Eric Juergens.
He also worked as an assistant coach with Young Guns Wrestling Club, helping train youth and high school wrestlers in the Quad Cities area.
Connor later became a teacher and coach at Jefferson Junior High in Woodridge. Over ten seasons, he helped build one of the strongest IESA wrestling programs in Illinois, producing 73 state qualifiers, 28 state placers, and multiple state finalists and champions.
Danny Balderas
Danny wrestled at Elmhurst College, where he was coached by University of Illinois national champion Steve Marianetti. He qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships in 2014 and was part of Elmhurst’s national runner-up team during the 2012–2013 season.
After college, Danny spent five years as an assistant coach at Downers Grove North High School and as the head coach of Downers Grove Wrestling Club. Under his leadership, the newly formed club grew into a USA Wrestling Top 100 program in the country.
Associate Coaches
Sean Evans
Sean Evans brings both college wrestling experience and years of coaching knowledge to the War Dog program.
He was a two-year starter at Harper College, where he qualified for the NJCAA National Championships. Sean then continued his career at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where he was also a two-year starter.
For the past seven seasons, Sean has coached at Downers Grove North High School, helping athletes improve their technique, confidence, and overall approach to the competition.
Joe Foreman
Joe Foreman brings state, national, and international wrestling experience to the War Dog coaching staff.
He was an IHSA state placewinner and a Fargo Cadet All-American before continuing his career in Greco-Roman wrestling. Joe went on to earn a silver medal at the Armed Forces Championships and was selected as a member of the 2014 CISM Military World Team.
At his highest point, Joe was ranked fourth in the United States in Greco-Roman wrestling.
War Dog Training Center 