Excitement Builds in Third Year of Girls Wrestling in Minnesota

The Minnesota State High School League sanctioned girls wrestling for the first time in the 2021-22 school year, and the first state tournament was held March 5, 2022, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Just one year later, girls wrestling in Minnesota has doubled in size, from 250 to 541 girls. Hastings High School had five girls the first year and went to 18 female participants in the second year. Growth was expected; however, the explosion of female participants has caused some schools to be creative. Chatfield High School, for example, hired a female as an assistant wrestling coach to help pave a path for its female wrestlers.

The growth is so inspiring, but it also comes with questions for activities directors and coaches. As a school, the girls can wrestle in the boys program. However, for example, a school may now have 9-10 female wrestlers. At what point is that considered another team? This would mean another coach, another separate budget, and another schedule to maneuver for space – all the while being aware of Title IX.

As a result of the increase in female wrestlers, a home team hosting a wrestling dual meet needs to be entirely mindful of not only locker rooms for the visitors, but also for the visiting female wrestlers. These are bumps that will be ironed out as the growth continues.

As with the beginning stages of any program, there are growing pains along the way. As the wrestling season starts in Minnesota in November, it will be exciting to witness how much growth occurs the third year of girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport. The high school female wrestlers welcome those growing pains as the sport of girls wrestling continues to build and develop into a sport with which to be reckoned.