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Marlington wrestling coach urges board to provide permanent practice space as youth program balloons
Summary
Coach Adam Mitchell told the Marlington Local School District board the youth wrestling program has grown from about 28 to nearly 80 participants and that the district needs additional permanent practice space; he said the lone wrestling room fits roughly 24 and girls are practicing in the cafeteria.
Adam Mitchell, who identified himself as a youth wrestling coach with 12 years in Marlington and nine as head coach, urged the school board on Nov. 13 to consider adding permanent wrestling practice space to accommodate rapidly rising participation.
"When I took the program over, we had right around 28 kids... Since then, we have nearly 80 kids," Mitchell said in public comment, adding that the district now has "over a 120 kids participating in the wrestling sport from K through 12." He told trustees the single designated wrestling room is designed for about 24 students and described safety and scheduling problems that force girls to practice in the cafeteria.
Mitchell asked the board for "consideration, conversation on additional permanent space options for us," saying the need will grow as more youth participants move into the middle- and high-school ranks.
Board members did not take immediate formal action during the public-comment period; one member asked whether contact information had been provided so follow-up conversations could occur. The superintendent said staff would coordinate next steps and that the topic could be discussed further with district administrators.
Next steps: Mitchell asked the board to consider options; the board indicated it would follow up through staff, but no formal directive, funding allocation or vote was recorded on Nov. 13.
