‘You wrestle like a girl’ has taken on a new meaning this year since the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has recognized girls wrestling as its own sport.
During its annual review of the Member School By-Laws on Monday afternoon, the Board of Directors of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. approved for full recognition the sports of boys volleyball and girls wrestling beginning next school year (2024-25), according to an IHSAA news release.
There has been a significant increase in the number of girls who have joined wrestling teams around the state. After being added to the Emerging Sports Process in 2022, girls wrestling has seen significant growth over the last 24 months. Girls wrestling now touts more than 1,400 individuals representing 177 different schools, according to the IHSAA.
Despite having few girls wanting to join the team at GHS, Coach Jay Yates has been pushing for girls to join, experienced or not.
“We had under 20 girls come to the call-out meeting. We have been advertising the team on social media and pushing girls to join the team. It does not matter if they have any wrestling experience at all because we will teach them,” he said
Mr. Mike Campbell, athletic director, has some good expectations for the team.
“We have a good foundation right now with who we have running the program. The girls who are experienced will play a part in helping develop the younger and less experienced girls as well,” Mr. Campbell said.
Junior Sophia Rygiel expressed her happiness when she found out the IHSAA was officially recognizing girls wrestling.
“When I found out, I was pretty happy. To see that the girls are finally getting some recognition within the wrestling community feels good. Wrestling has always been a male dominant sport, but in recent years, the girl population has significantly increased,” Rygiel said.
Rygiel is heading into the season with high expectations for herself.
“I am so excited for the season. After making it to State last year, I am setting very high expectations for myself. It would be amazing if I made it to State again, and ultimately that is my end goal,” Rygiel said.
If you are a girl interested in joining the team, see Coach Yates, Mr. Campbell, or Mrs. Glaze for more information. Work-outs started Sept. 17th and continue until fall break.
“Every Tuesday and Thursday the wrestling room will be open and we will hold practices up until fall break. Then, the season officially starts after fall break,” Coach Yates said.
Coach Yates encourages every girl to come out and try wrestling. If a girl plays a fall sport, he encourages them to try wrestling after Fall Break when fall seasons are over.
“Any girl can come and try it. If any girls do not have wrestling shoes, they can just wear sky zone socks, and those would be perfect to practice in. If a girl is in a fall sport and can not make it to a practice before Fall Break, come and try wrestling after Fall Break,” he said.
