(WASHINGTON, DC) —DC Public Schools (DCPS) in partnership with Wrestling to Beat the Streets DC (BTSDC) announced today the return of public high school wrestling in the District after 30 years through the launch of eight varsity high school wrestling programs for the inaugural season this winter.

“I’m excited to announce the incorporation of high school varsity wrestling to our athletic program,” said Chancellor Lewis Ferebee. “The sport of wrestling will help build our students confidence, discipline and a strong work ethic that will go long way in and out of the classroom. We’re thankful for partners like Wrestling to Beat the Streets DC who have a proven track record of developing young adults through the sport of wrestling.”

This pilot season of varsity wrestling will begin on March 7, 2022, with six weeks of practices for experienced wrestlers and newcomers, with the season culminating with two weeks of competition. Although no DCIAA Champion will be crowned this season, next year, varsity wrestling will have a full season ending with a championship meet. The eight schools who will be participating during the pilot season are: Anacostia, Ballou, Bell, Cardozo, Dunbar, Roosevelt, Wilson, and H.D. Woodson high schools.

Wrestling to Beat the Streets DC is a nonprofit youth development organization that believes in the power of wrestling to empower students in underserved communities. With the launch of these new programs, BTSDC will assist in recruiting and training new coaches, as well as staging wrestling clinics for the student athletes. In addition, BTSDC will provide each of the schools with start-up equipment such as wrestling mats, uniforms, headgear, and shoes. 

“Wrestling is a sport of inclusiveness. Student athletes can participate in the sport regardless of their height, weight, race, or gender,” said BTSDC Executive Director Geary FitzPatrick. “We are grateful for the opportunity to impact the lives of so many student athletes and look forward to expanding our programming in years to come with the support of DC Public Schools.”

For more information on this upcoming varsity wrestling season, visit thedciaa.com. To find out more about how you can get involved in supporting our partners with this new initiative, please visit BeatTheStreetsDC.com

This email and any files transmitted with it are the property of Transwestern and its affiliated companies, are confidential, and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which this email is addressed. If you are not one of the named recipients or if you have reason to believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete this message immediately from your computer. Any other use, retention, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly