What to Expect at Practice
Practices are held at J.J. Pearce High School (1600 N Coit Rd, Richardson, TX 75080), a facility your child will come to think of as a second home. Each session opens with a structured warm-up — footwork drills, movement patterns, and conditioning that build athletic habits without feeling like punishment.
From there, Coach Rick Ibarra and the coaching staff break wrestlers into groups by age and skill level. Kids learn takedowns, escapes, and mat control through guided drilling and live positional sparring. We keep the intensity age-appropriate: younger athletes (K–2) focus on movement and fun, while older wrestlers (grades 3–8) build a deeper technical foundation.
Safety is built into every practice. Wrestlers wear headgear, practice on quality mats, and are supervised by coaches trained in proper technique progression. You can check our practice schedule to plan your first visit.
What Your Child Gains
Wrestling is one of the most complete sports a child can play. Here is what families consistently see after a season with Mustang Elite:
- Physical fitness — strength, balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance built through every practice
- Mental toughness — kids learn to work through adversity on the mat and carry that resilience into school and life
- Discipline and focus — structured practices build habits that transfer to the classroom
- Sportsmanship and respect — our character-first culture holds wrestlers accountable to how they treat teammates, opponents, and coaches
- Technical skill — folkstyle wrestling fundamentals that feed directly into RISD middle and high school programs
- Belonging — teammates become a second family; many of our athletes stay with the club for multiple years
How We Coach
Coach Rick Ibarra founded Mustang Elite in 2019 with a straightforward goal: give Richardson-area kids access to quality wrestling instruction at a price families can actually afford. As a USA Wrestling affiliated club and registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are structured to serve the community — not to generate profit. That means fees stay as low as we can responsibly keep them. For current registration fees, visit /register.
Our coaching philosophy is technique-first and athlete-first. We do not push kids beyond their developmental readiness, and we never sacrifice safety for results. Beginning wrestlers learn the same fundamentals as our competitive athletes — we simply adjust the pace and pressure to match the individual. Learn more about our approach on the about page.
Is This Program Right for Your Child?
Youth Wrestling is the right fit if your child:
- Is in kindergarten through 8th grade (ages roughly 5–14)
- Has little or no wrestling experience — we start from zero
- Wants a sport that builds strength, confidence, and grit
- Is a boy or girl — our program is fully co-ed
- May eventually want to wrestle in middle or high school in RISD
- Is looking for an affordable, community-rooted athletic program
Affordable by Design
For-profit wrestling clubs in the Dallas area can charge $90–$200+ per month. As a nonprofit, Mustang Elite Wrestling keeps fees significantly lower so that cost is never the reason a kid misses out on a great sport. Every dollar goes back into coaching, equipment, and tournament opportunities — not shareholder returns.
Ready to get started? View registration details or reach out with questions.
The Path Forward: Middle School, High School, and Beyond
One of the most meaningful things about Mustang Elite is where it leads. Our club is the feeder program for wrestling at J.J. Pearce, Berkner, Richardson, and Lake Highlands high schools — all part of the Richardson Independent School District. Athletes who build their foundation with us arrive at middle and high school tryouts with a head start that shows.
We also compete in USA Wrestling sanctioned events throughout the season, giving athletes tournament experience that sharpens skills and builds confidence under pressure. Check the events calendar for upcoming competitions, including our annual Mustang New Year Classic tournament.