What is the Fargo National Championships?
The US Marine Corps Cadet and Junior Nationals, (more famously referred to as "Fargo" due to its location in Fargo, North Dakota), is the LARGEST wrestling tournament in the world. Each year the pinnacle of high school Olympic Style wrestling in the United States takes place over a week in Fargo, ND. Throughout the long history of this event, many of the champions that have been crowned have gone on to greatness at the NCAA, WCWA, and Senior world and Olympic levels.
WILL YOU BE NEXT?
How to Make the Massachusetts National Team:
Any male or female athlete interested in becoming a MA National Team representative and competing at Fargo needs to complete the athlete application. See the link after this section.
Each state is limited to four (4) wrestlers per age per style per weight class. Wrestlers who earn automatic qualifier status do not count against this limit. This applies to both boys and girls.
See list of Fargo Weights at this link (below):
https://www.usawmembership.com/age_group_weight_chart
Athletes interested must fill out an application form to be on the team in 2026.
IMPORTANT DATES/DEADLINES
5/18: Initial Deposit Due
5/26: Snap! Raise Campaign Launch
TBD: RUDIS Team Store closes (orders due)
6/12: Second Payment Due
6/23: Snap! Raise Campaign Close
6/26: Final Payment Due
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Applications should be submitted ASAP! First deposits must be paid no later than May 18; any deposits submitted after the initial deposit deadline may incur additional airfare charges or be required to book air and ground transportation to Fargo (outside of Team MA group), which will require a Travel Exception to be approved by the MWA Board of Directors. Travel Exceptions only apply to air and ground transportation to and from Fargo and do NOT apply to lodging requirements as the athletes must stay with Team MA while onsite at Fargo. The MWA Board of Directors will not grant any Travel Exceptions that are viewed as a mechanism to bypass Team MA minimum participation or team travel/lodging requirements. The MWA Board of Directors will not register athletes for TEAM MA at Fargo who fail to meet the obligations of Team MA participants.
Competition Details
Location: North Dakota State University. Fargo, North Dakota
Date : July 9 - 18, 2026
Trip Details
Costs:
Final costs will be determined after the team selection and travel arrangements have been finalized. Once again, we will be running a Snap! Raise campaign to help with fundraising to directly offset the athlete costs. Last year, over $30,000 dollars was raised by Team Massachusetts athletes.
Trip Packages Include:
Round-Trip Transportation
Training Camp
Housing and Meals on NDSU Campus
Entry Fees
Coaching Staff
Athletes will be expected to purchase gear packages directly from RUDIS.
Training, Travel, and Competition Schedule:
It is expected that all athletes travel and compete with the team to maximize the team MASS experience. If you are not able to travel with the entire team or stay with the team during the event, you must contact the appropriate Team Leader Matt Dehney or Joe Nugent.
National Team Training Camps:
Travel Dates: Subject to change
Boys (FS Only): July 8 or 9 - July 13, 2026
Boys (FS & GR): July 8 or 9 - July 16, 2026
Girls (FS): July 15 - July 19, 2025
Coaches, Officials and other support staff
All coaches,officials and other support staff (Volunteers, Media, Medical, etc.) wishing to travel to Fargo as part of Team Massachusetts are asked to submit an application through this application form for travel planning purposes.