MEET THE COACHES
Justin Estevez
Este Built's owner and founder, coach Justin Estevez, has successfully mentored and trained hundreds of state and national champions since 2011. His passion and energetic approach combined with in-depth, innovative techniques enriches athletes lives both on and off the mat. As a result of Justin's unique and deep understanding of personal potential, each of his athletes' training programs are designed specifically to help them achieve their unique creative potential
Justin was a standout wrestler at Livingston High School, achieving 117 high school victories and qualifying multiple times for the state tournament. He is experienced in training and mentoring beginners to high-level and nationally recognized youth and high school wrestlers. Aside from coaching youth and high school programs, Coach Justin also conducts camps and clinics in the tristate area. Before opening Este Built, he coached at a number of leading wrestling schools in the nation and won numerous national team tournaments where he acquired many of the best coaching systems and techniques in the country. Coach Justin continues to seek out further knowledge on a daily basis as the sport of wrestling evolves. He builds on athletes’ individual abilities while emphasizing a positive mental outlook and confidence to reach their full potential!
Jason Estevez
Jason is the Co-Owner of EsteBuilt Wrestling Club and the Head Wrestling Coach at New Jersey City University. He is known for developing tough, high-level wrestlers through a hands-on, detail-driven coaching style that builds discipline, confidence, and results. His athletes include state champions, state placers, and standout talent across all levels.
As a competitor, Jason brings elite-level experience to the mat. He was a Fila Junior All-American, World Team Trials qualifier, and a four-year Division I starter and team captain at the University at Buffalo. In high school, he was a two-time New Jersey state medalist (3rd in 2012 & 2013), four-time state qualifier, two-time High School All-American, and Livingston High School’s all-time wins leader with 140 career victories. He is also one of only nine wrestlers in Essex County history to win four county championships.
Nick Palumbo
Coach Nick has been dedicated to the sport of wrestling since he was 5 years old. During his high school career Nick amassed 135 wins and won the 2017 New Jersey State Championship. He spent his offseason wrestling freestyle, where he won 3rd place to become a Fargo All-American as well as placing 3rd in the NHSCA. Junior Nationals. In college, Nick was a Division 1 National Qualifier, ranked top 25 in the nation and had wins over opponents like Penn State and Iowa. Nick has only recently begun his coaching career and has already trained state qualifiers as well as state champions. He draws upon his own experiences and accomplishments to mentor and instill important values to his students.
DJ Barrett
Coach DJ is our Head Novice Coach, he excels at working with young wrestlers, helping them develop strong fundamentals while fostering a love for the sport. His patience, calmness and ability to connect with kids make him a favorite among our athletes. Coach DJ is currently available for private lessons, offering personalized instruction to help wrestlers of all levels reach their full potential. With an impressive 108 career wins at Lenape Valley, DJ was a two-time District Champion, two-time State Qualifier, and placed 3rd in the NJ Freestyle State Championships. His competitive experience and deep understanding of the sport make him an invaluable asset to our team!
Chris Dowdy
Coach Chris brings a wealth of high-level wrestling experience to our program. A FILA Junior National All-American and University National All-American, Chris has competed at some of the highest levels of the sport. In high school, he was a National Prep Finalist at St Benedict’s , a 3x High School All-American, and amassed 150 career wins, with over 80 coming by pin. His talent and dedication earned him a spot on the Cornell University wrestling team where he further sharpened his skills. Chris is known for his ability to connect with wrestlers of all ages, helping them develop both technically and mentally on the mat. He is available for private lessons!
Mission Statement
At Estebuilt Wrestling Club, we don’t just coach—we build champions from the ground up. Led by Coach Estevez and a battle-tested staff, our program is rooted in decades of experience both on the mat and in the corner. We’ve competed, we’ve coached, and we understand every high and low that comes with the journey to becoming a successful wrestler. Our mission is simple but powerful: to develop every athlete into the best version of themselves—regardless of where they start. We believe every wrestler has potential, and it’s our job to help them unlock it. At Estebuilt, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We treat each athlete as an individual, tailoring our coaching to meet their specific strengths, challenges, and goals. Whether you’re brand new to the sport or chasing a state or national title, we emphasize the fundamentals that create lifelong success: disciplined habits, strategic mindset, elite conditioning, proper nutrition, and the mental toughness to overcome any obstacle. Our staff has reached the sport’s highest levels, and now we’re focused entirely on helping our athletes believe in themselves, push their limits, and chase goals they never thought possible. At Estebuilt, we coach with purpose, passion, and a relentless commitment to helping every wrestler thrive—on and off the mat.
