In September 2022, the VHSL approved girls’ wrestling as an emerging sport for three years, starting with the 2022-23 school year. Virginia public high schools with wrestling programs must have at least one female on their roster. In 1993, the first official all-girls high school wrestling team, fifteen girls, became an official public high school team three years later, in 1996. The first official U.S. Girls Wrestling Nationals was held the following year, in 1997. Including females in wrestling brings a new level of competition to the sport. 

Since 1994, the number of women who wrestle in high school has gone from 804 girls who do wrestling to 50,000 girls who are now wrestling. It’s awesome that boys are not the only people who are doing wrestling, girls are too. It is pretty great to compare the amount of women who wrestled back then, compared to now. It’s truly amazing to see girls inspired to try out a male-dominated sport. Women’s wrestling continues to grow at the high school and youth level each year with more and more girls trying out. 

Women’s wrestling has advanced from the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program to a national collegiate championship. There were 76 women’s wrestling programs at NCAA schools in 2023-24, with projections pointing to an additional 17 programs in 2024-25. More than 1,200 women wrestlers are competing at NCAA schools today. The sport is also diverse. 

Wrestling also encourages physical fitness, teaches basic self-defense, and provides a family of wrestlers. Wrestling forges strong and capable leaders. Wrestling provides increased opportunities for employment and higher education. Wrestling offers physical fitness, discipline, mental toughness, self-confidence, and valuable life skills.

Women’s wrestling continues to see record growth at the high school and youth levels. Providing a championship experience will only enhance the excitement surrounding this sport. it’s so exciting that more girls are doing wrestling. Women’s wrestling is among the fastest-growing sports at higher levels than just high school.