The Program

When does our season start?
Our Winter season starts the in early November and continues until the end of February/beginning of March. If offered, our Spring season starts at the beginning of March and continues until the end of May.

When will the schedule be available?
Our league typically makes the schedule available in mid to late December.

When do we receive our apparel/singlet?
The ordering timeline must be followed strictly to ensure receipt of apparel before the first league tournament in January. The team store will only be open for two weeks; delivery is quoted to occur six to eight weeks after the store closes, based on the vendor’s current production schedule. 

How much does it cost to register?
Registration costs $200 for K4 through 2nd Grade and $275 for 3rd through 8th grade.

How much is the uniform/singlet?

Our “essentials bundle” includes a team singlet, t-shirt, crew-neck sweatshirt and dri-fit shorts for $107.

When do I need to register?
Registration opens in October. You should register your child(ren) once you are sure they are committed to wrestling for the season.

Is there a registration limit?

We cap registration to maintain focused coaching and individual attention. We allow a maximum of 12 wrestlers in the K4–2nd grade group and 16 wrestlers in the 3rd–8th grade group.

Registration will close immediately once we reach capacity. However, we will open a limited number of spaces over this cap if a wrestler’s parent or guardian signs up to serve as a volunteer coach for the season. Volunteering is a great way to guarantee your child’s spot!

Do you use Prince George’s County Boys and Girls Club “yellow cards”?
No, we do not use the yellow cards that the Prince Georges County Boys and Girls Club uses. Each child must obtain a USA Wrestling membership, which costs $20 (Limited Folkstyle Athlete Membership). Note: The cost of USA Wrestling memberships is subject to change without notice and is determined by USA Wrestling.

How do I obtain a USA Wrestling Card for my child?
You can purchase a USA Wrestling Card here.

How many days do we practice?

Grades	Day	Time
K4 – 2nd	Tuesday, Thursday and Friday	6:00 – 6:45 PM
3rd – 8th	Tuesday, Thursday and Friday	6:30 – 7:30 PM

*Practice days and times are based on the availability of our practice facility. Parents will be notified as early as possible of any changes.  We follow the PGCPS closure guidelines.

Where do we practice?
Frederick Douglass High School (Wrestling Room #117)
8000 Croom Road,
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

Enter through door #15, near the back of the school, directly across from the softball field. There is some parking space on the grass near the entrance. You may also drop your child off and park next to the gym on the side of the school by the track and football field.

What will be needed by the first day of practice?
An active USA Wrestling Membership is mandatory. Wrestlers should wear their wrestling shoes to practice; if unavailable for the first session they may wear clean socks. For hygiene and safety, outside shoes are never allowed on the wrestling mat: this rule also includes parents and family members.

Are parents allowed to be in the wrestling room during practice?
K4 – 2nd-grade: As space permits, we allow one family member of our younger wrestlers to sit in the wrestling room for a few reasons; however, they must maintain a quiet presence and minimize interruptions to ensure our wrestlers remain focused on the practice.  Coaches reserve to the right to ask family members to leave the room at any time during practice.

1. Parental Support: For young children, having a parent nearby can provide emotional comfort, especially if they are new to the sport or hesitant about participation.
2. Observation of Progress: Parents can see firsthand how their child is developing, learning new skills, and interacting with coaches and teammates.
3. Reinforcing Discipline at Home: Parents who observe the coaching methods and expectations can reinforce discipline and proper behavior at home, supporting the coach’s efforts and helping the wrestler internalize lessons learned in practice.
4. Ensuring Safety: For young kids, parents may feel more comfortable being present to monitor their child’s safety, especially in a contact sport like wrestling. It can provide reassurance that the environment is structured and well-supervised.
5. Coach-Parent Communication: Parents can gain insight into our coach’s teaching style and priorities, which can foster better communication and mutual understanding between parents and our coaches.

3rd – 8th grade: We do not allow parents for our older wrestlers to sit in the wrestling room during practice for several reasons:

1. Athlete Independence: Part of the growth process in sports is learning to be independent and accountable. Without parents watching, wrestlers can focus on improving their skills and taking personal responsibility for their performance.
2. Coach-Athlete Relationship: Coaches must establish clear communication and trust with our athletes. Parents present might unintentionally interfere with this dynamic, as athletes could defer to their parents rather than fully engage with the coach’s guidance.
3. Team Cohesion: Without outside spectators, practices can foster a stronger sense of team cohesion and camaraderie, where athletes are focused on working together and supporting each other.
4. Minimize Distractions: Having parents present can create distractions for athletes and coaches. Wrestlers may feel additional pressure to perform or focus less on instructions.
5. Space Limitations: Our wrestling room has limited space. Our older wrestlers are bigger and require more mat surface when practicing. Having coaches, wrestlers, and parents in the room at once significantly reduces the amount available for wrestling.

*In some cases, parents may still be welcome at special events or open practices, but the day-to-day routine typically benefits from a more focused, coach-led environment. Parents may also become volunteer coaches, at that time they can be in the room during practices.

Is fundraising required?
Yes, each family must participate in fundraising. We will give each family the option of selling the fundraising item or making a monetary contribution. In past seasons, our fundraisers have been highly successful and straightforward.

Cost

What are the fees associated with the program?

Item / Category	Cost	Notes
K4 through 2nd Grade	$200	General registration fee.
3rd through 8th grade	$275	General registration fee.
Essentials bundle	$107	Required: Prepackaged team gear, including singlet.
USA Wrestling membership	$20	Required: Limited Folkstyle Athlete Membership.
Wrestling shoes	$30 – $80
Headgear	$30 – $50
Mouthpiece	~$15	Optional.
Athletic Supporter	~$30	Optional.

Are discount opportunities available?
We offer sibling and coaching discounts. Please email marlboromustangswrestling@gmail.com to discuss your specific situation. 

Do I have to pay to participate in tournaments?
The sports registration fee covers the cost of our league tournaments. You must pay to participate in non-league tournaments. Each season, we usually participate in 2 or 3 optional, non-league tournaments (MSWA). The cost ranges from $25 to $40 per non-league tournament.

My family is new to wrestling, can my child come out to a few practices before registering?
Your child may participate in up to three consecutive practices before paying the sports registration fee. To inquire about this option, email marlboromustangswrestling@gmail.com.

What does the sports registration fee cover?

The sports registration fee helps cover many costs, including (but not limited to) the following categories:

• League Fees: Payments required for team entry into all leagues our athletes participate in.

• Facility Costs: Fees charged to the program for facility use and cleaning.

• Club Overhead (MBGC): General Fund fees allocated for the Marlboro Boys and Girls Club, covering the acquisition and maintenance of sports equipment, startup costs for new sports, and other general operational expenses.

• Wrestling Affiliation & Insurance: Club membership fees for USA Wrestling and program liability insurance.

• Program Equipment: Purchasing and maintenance of wrestling equipment (e.g., mats, ropes), cleaning products, and other operational supplies.

Apparel and Equipment

Where can I purchase wrestling equipment (shoes, headgear, etc.)
Shoes and headgear are usually available at Dicks Sporting Goods (Crofton and Waldorf are probably closest). Additionally, numerous online vendors supply wrestling equipment. For informational purposes, the following is a list of some online vendors.

Do we offer apparel for parents, t-shirts, bags, etc., and when is money due?
Yes, please purchase family and friends SpiritWear from team store. The ordering timeline must be followed strictly to ensure receipt of apparel before the first league tournament in January. The team store will only be open for two weeks; delivery is quoted to occur six to eight weeks after the store closes, based on the vendor’s current production schedule. 

Wrestling Etiquette

Can my child wear their wrestling shoes while in the car?
No, wrestling shoes are only worn while on the wrestling mat; they should not be worn outside unless they have protective sole covers.

Does my child need to wear a mouthpiece or athletic supporter (cup)?
Athletic supporters are optional. However, some children find them uncomfortable while wrestling. The decision wear one shall be made between the parent and the wrestler. Mouthpieces are only mandatory for children with braces.

Can my child wear athletic glasses while wrestling?
We have to get clarification from the referees on this question. Some referees allow it, while others don’t. We will try to have an answer before our first tournament.

My child has long hair; what do I need to do about it?
Your child may be required to wrap their hair using a wrestling hair cap, which integrates into their headgear. This item is available on various sports apparel websites.

Volunteering

How can I help?
First and foremost, please maintain a positive attitude toward your child’s sports participation. Please understand this is new for most kids, so there is a learning curve. Therefore, we need you to remain positive, encourage them to do their best and have fun, and support them even when they have not performed their best.

Do we accept parent volunteers?
Absolutely!!! Parent volunteers are ALWAYS needed. For more information, contact our wrestling staff at marlboromustangswrestling@gmail.com.

I’ve never wrestled before, can I still volunteer to coach?
Yes! You can still volunteer to coach! We are in need of many types of support and wrestling experience is not a requirement for most volunteer roles.

Your time and enthusiasm would be incredibly valuable to the team. Here is a partial list of ways you can help us run a successful season:

• Score keeping/table working during tournaments
• Keeping kids organized and accounted for during the chaos of tournaments
• Being an additional adult presence at practices to help maintain order and safety
• Filling the role of Team Mom/Dad/Coordinator
• Organizing the snack schedule
• Fundraising Coordinator
• Tournament Check-In Lead (manages the team at official weigh-ins and check-in tables)
• Social Media Coordinator (takes photos and videos to share with parents and on club platforms)
• End-of-Season Party Planner (takes the lead on organizing the banquet and awards)

We rely heavily on our parent volunteers and we would be appreciative of any time you’re able to give! Please contact us at marlboromustangswrestling@gmail.com.

Tournaments

Will my child wrestle with more experienced children?
There are some tournaments where your child will wrestle kids who are more experienced than them. However, experience by itself does not make a wrestler successful. A child’s hard work and dedication are what makes them successful. We have seen numerous first-year wrestlers succeed in our program.

Where are tournaments held?
Most league tournaments occur on Saturday at various schools in the Southern Maryland area, including Anne Arundel, Prince George’s County, Charles County, St. Mary’s County, and Calvert County. In addition, some tournaments may take place in Virginia but this is extremely rare.

How are the children paired up?
In most novice tournaments, children are paired based on age, weight, and experience. In our league tournaments, children are paired based on age, weight, and experience level (as best as possible).  The MSWA state qualifiers and state tournament pair kids based on age and weight.

Can my child participate in wrestling and another sport simultaneously during this season?
The short answer is NO. Although we have had children participate in two sports simultaneously, our experience has been that children who do this are not successful at wrestling and, therefore, do not have a good experience. In addition, the practices and tournaments/games will often conflict, and one of the teams will suffer due to the conflict. Therefore, before registering, we encourage parents to speak with their children and assist them in deciding which sport they will participate in during the winter season.

How long are the tournaments?
Tournaments usually last 2 – 4 hours.

How many times will my child wrestle at a tournament?
Your child will usually wrestle no more than four times in a tournament.

Will wrestling make my child aggressive?
Although a certain level of aggression is helpful in any competitive sport, wrestling does not make your child aggressive. Of course, some children are naturally more aggressive than others; however, all children have the chance to be successful in wrestling through hard work, dedication, and practice.