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The Maryland Folkstyle State Championships is intended to be for intermediate and advanced wrestlers that want to prove they are the best throughout the state. 

Important Notes

• To qualify for the Maryland Folkstyle State Championships, you must have competed in one of the five Regional Championship events. Those events can be found here.

• This Championship event will have both boys and girls-only state championships. 

• The event is only open to Maryland & DC resident athletes.

• No weight allowance and all athletes must weight in wearing a singlet or a 2-piece uniform. 

• All athletes must cut their fingernails.

• All championship bracket matches are 1:30-1:30-1:30. All wrestle-backs are 1:00-1:00-1:00.

• Once a wrestler competes in the Maryland Folkstyle State Championships, they are no longer eligible to compete in the Future Champions Series or the Futures Finale. 

• Check your league schedule before registering. If you register but cannot attend, no transfers, credits, or refunds will be issued.

• Ensure you register for the correct event. The Maryland Folkstyle State Championship is different than the Futures Finale. 

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Location & Dates

• Location: The McDonogh School, 8600 McDonogh Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

• Date: February 15, 2026

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Weight Classes

• 8U | 2018-2021 | 40, 43, 45, 49, 53, 56, 62, 70, 85 (max)

• 10 U | 2016-2017 | 49, 53, 56, 59, 63, 67, 71, 77, 84, 93, 105, 120 (max)

• 12 U | 2014-2015 | 58, 63, 67, 70, 74, 78, 82, 86, 92, 98, 108, 117, 135 160 (max)

• Middle School | 2011-2013 | 75, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 126, 132, 140, 155, 175, 225 (max)

• GIRLS-ONLY | K-8th Grade | Madison Style Round-Robin Brackets

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Weigh-In & Start Times

• Age Group | Birth Years | Weigh-In Time | Approx. Start Time

• To be announced

Registration & Admission

• Event Fee: $50 online only — no walk-in registrations.

• Admission:

• Current USAW Leaders: Free (must show current membership card and picture ID if no verifiable picture is on the USAW leadership card)

• Adults (18+): $20

• Ages 6–17: $10

• Ages 5 & Under: Free

Online Registration Policies

• All registrations are non-refundable.

• Check your schedule before registering.

• If an event is cancelled, a credit will be issued toward a future MSWA event.

• All events have registration limitations based on facilities, mats, and our desire to have them run smoothly. We recommend that all wrestlers register early – events sell out!

USA Wrestling Membership Requirements
All wrestlers must have a current USAW Membership.
Acceptable membership types include:

• Limited Folkstyle Athlete 

• Full Athlete

• High Performance Athlete

Memberships expire annually on August 31.
Reminder: Limited Folkstyle Athlete memberships are not valid for the spring and summer Freestyle and Greco-Roman events.

Coaches

• Coaches must have active USA Wrestling Leader cards and a coaches certification (Copper or Bronze minimum) to be in the corner at the Maryland Folkstyle State Championships. 

• Coaches and parents receive free entry for every MSWA event when they provide a State ID and USAW Leader Card at the door! This includes the Maryland Girls Wrestling Series, Future Champions, the Futures Finale, Regional Championships, and the Maryland Folkstyle State Championship. 

• Coaches are highly encouraged to have a current USAW wrestling leader card and at least a Copper Certification throughout the season. USA Wrestling coaching certifications are valid for life. We highly encourage coaches and die-hard parents to get certified.

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Modified NFHS Rules
Tournaments follow National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) scoring rules with USA Wrestling modifications, including:

• Headgear: Mandatory for all competitors.

• Mouthguards: Mandatory for wrestlers with braces.

• Rest Period: Minimum of 15 minutes between matches.

• Matches cannot begin without a coach present.

• The three-quarter nelson with leg hook is legal in USAW Folkstyle events.

• The double arm bar with sit-out is considered potentially dangerous and the official will stop the action.

• USA Wrestling age, weight, and match-time rules take precedence where applicable.