The Capital Area Wrestling League (CAWL) is a 15 and under kids amateur wrestling league in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  The CAWL consists of 15 competitive teams that compete during the winter months, usually from December to early March, with practices starting sometime in the fall.  Among other things the League strives to prepare wrestlers for high school wrestling and teach competitive sportsmanship.  Weight classes range from 50 pounds to 170 pounds and heavyweight (200) with increments of 5 pounds up to 95 pounds, and 6- 7-, 8-, 10- and 20-pound increments after 95 pounds.  There is a 200 pound limit heavyweight class.  Teams wrestle dual meets throughout the wrestling season and compete in the CAWL League Championships at the end of the season.  At the League Championships the top six wrestlers at each weight class receive trophies and qualify to wrestle in the Maryland/Virginia MD/VA States Association Championships which is one or two weeks following the CAWL Championships. The MD/VA States is the last League event of the season and wrestlers are required to attend.  The CAWL and two additional leagues from Baltimore (MJWL) and Arundel (AAWL) areas join together for this season finale.  The top six wrestlers at each weight class receive custom made MD/VA States Championships medals and team trophies are awarded.