The Coaching Team

Meet Our Instructors

Led by experienced, passionate coaches dedicated to helping every student grow — on and off the mat.

Head Instructor

Nicholas Craton

Jiu Jitsu Black Belt — 15+ Years on the Mat

Nicholas Craton is a Jiu Jitsu Black Belt with 15+ years of experience on the mat. Promoted under Dante Leon — 2x ADCC Medalist and 2x IBJJF World Champion — Nicholas proudly represents Adamas and Pedigo Submission Fighting, as well as sponsors Parry Athletics and Westside Barbell.

Read Nicholas's Story

"I started grappling when I was 13 years old. I still remember how awkward I felt walking into the wrestling room for the first time. At one point, I turned to the kid next to me — this massive guy with a beard and mustache — and asked how old he was. Turns out, he was only 12. Younger than me. That guy ended up becoming one of my favorite training partners."

From the outside, grappling can look intimidating. But once you step into the room and meet the people on the mats, you realize what the sport is really about.

It's not about ego. It's not about trying to hurt people. It's about growth, problem-solving, and working toward meaningful goals. That's exactly why I'm opening Northstar Jiu Jitsu in Eau Claire.

I'm a Jiu Jitsu black belt under Dante Leon, a multiple-time world champion and ADCC medalist. I've had the rare privilege of learning from one of the best grapplers in the world, and I plan to use those lessons to help students of all ages thrive in the modern world of grappling.

But the goal of this gym is not just to create good competitors. Jiu Jitsu is more than competition. It's a place where everybody remembers their first day — and does their part to help beginners. It's a place where people can work hard toward a common goal. It's a place where you can be part of the team. All you have to do is show up. We'll guide you through the rest.

Assistant Kids Instructor

Martha Craton

Blue Belt — Co-Owner — IBJJF Adult Worlds Bronze Medalist

Martha Craton is a dedicated instructor and co-owner of Northstar Jiu Jitsu. She is an IBJJF Adult Worlds Bronze Medalist in her own right, and currently holds a Blue Belt in Jiu Jitsu.

Read Martha's Story

Martha's story starts far from the mats — deep in the mountains of Ecuador, where life was simple, physical, and full of adventure. As a kid, she rode ponies to the grocery store, helped feed guinea pigs on the family farm, and fought with her siblings over who got the cream cap from the top of the fresh milk bucket. Long before she ever stepped onto a jiu jitsu mat, Martha learned toughness, independence, and the kind of quiet grit that comes from growing up close to the land.

She did not begin jiu jitsu as a child prodigy or lifelong athlete. Martha started training later in life, beginning jiu jitsu at 30 years old. What drew her in was the realization that jiu jitsu gave her a way to compete, improve, and hold her own through technique, timing, and speed — even against younger, stronger, and larger opponents.

At barely 100 pounds and 4'8", Martha is proof that jiu jitsu is not reserved for the biggest or strongest person in the room. Anyone who has had the distinct pleasure of rolling with her knows exactly how quickly she can make that point. She is respected for her speed, her technical guard passing, and her surprisingly effective wrestling skills.

Martha is happy to train with anyone, but she has a special love for working with kids. She understands what it means to be smaller than the people around you, and she enjoys helping younger students see that strength is not only about size. Through her example, Martha shows kids that confidence can be built, technique can overcome physical disadvantages, and even a little person can become strong, capable, and hard to deal with.

At Northstar Jiu Jitsu, Martha represents one of the most important lessons in the room: you do not need to start young, be big, or feel naturally athletic to belong here. You just need the courage to begin, the willingness to learn, and the consistency to keep showing up.

Training Lineage

Our Affiliations

Nicholas trains alongside and under some of the best competitors in the world. That experience is what he brings to every class in Eau Claire.

Adamas — high-level no-gi grappling affiliation

Pedigo Submission Fighting — competition-tested no-gi grappling

What People Say

Trusted by the Jiu Jitsu Community

"Nick is a dedicated athlete and practitioner that has 10+ years of training and 5+ of teaching experience. He has proven his skills as an instructor, competitor and referee all over the country. Excited to see what Nick builds with North Star Jiu Jitsu."

Dante Leon

2x IBJJF World Champion — 2x ADCC World Medalist

"Nick is great instructor with a ton of experience! He's up-to-date with modern technique that actually works at a high level. I've seen him have massive successes on the competition scene and he's helped me a ton with my own jiu jitsu, especially with my front headlock and leg locks! Can't recommend this place enough! 10 out of 10!"

Travis Haven

Brown Belt — PGF Veteran

"Nick and I have been friends and trained together since white belts. He's a great guy with an absolute passion for jiu jitsu. He is very technical on the mats and has some amazing wins over other world class jiu jitsu athletes and huge names in the game. I'm so excited that him and his family are moving back to the area and I'll be able to train with him regularly again. I know he will put his everything into this gym and it will be a great place to train."

Zach McCloud

Brown Belt

"I have trained with Nick for years, and his experience and passion for grappling makes him a great instructor. He leads the kids and adults by example and upholds the values of his affiliations proudly. I would highly recommend North Star Jiu Jitsu if you're in the area."

Nilo Burgener

Black Belt Under Dante Leon — 18+ Years on the Mat

"I've been training with, learning from and helping instruct kids classes with Nick for several years now. He's a great guy, great competitor and great instructor. He has a great teaching style, is extremely knowledgeable and has a systematic approach. I'm excited for the future students of North Star Jiu Jitsu and bummed we won't have him with us! I do wish him all the best at NSJJ."

Matt Moran

Brown Belt — Father

"I've been training alongside Nick for as long as he's been training, so I've had a front-row seat to everything he's put into this. Few people match the work ethic he brings, he is as dedicated as anyone I've ever seen on the mats. That same relentless drive is going to make North Star Jiu Jitsu something special for Eau Claire. I couldn't be more excited for the grand opening, and I plan on being very involved and a big part of what he's building here!"

Patrick Dutton

Brown Belt — Retired EMS/Firefighter

Meet Our Instructors

Nicholas Craton

Martha Craton

Our Affiliations

Trusted by the Jiu Jitsu Community

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