This past year, KSHSAA made the ruling that girls wrestling would be considered its own sport. This means that the girls will have their own competitions and tournaments. It also changes their weight class to better suit women instead of men. 

“It’s a huge step… It’s nice to see the state finally come our way,” said Tucker Woofter, wrestling head coach. 

Many are also excited that the girls will now have their own regional and state tournaments.

Before the sport was officially sanctioned, the state took the stance that girls and boys were the same and that if a girl wanted to wrestle, she would have to compete against boys. Schools started to make their own girls division at tournaments, which all had to be classified as JV.

“The past couple of years, the girls have been stuck in the boys’ shadows. But now we have our own official team and are a sport of our own,” said Natalia Moreno, 12.

The official ruling also gives the girls better chances at scholarships. 

“It’s the fastest growing sport in the country,” said Woofter. “There’s a ton of scholarship money out there for women’s wrestling. If we believe the sport does things to help teach young men, then why is it not good for young women as well?”