Empowered and Ready
Girls’ Wrestling Is on the Rise
Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
In recent years, girls' youth and high school wrestling has experienced an incredible surge in popularity, and it's not slowing down anytime soon. The numbers speak for themselves: about 50,000 athletes have joined teams, marking a 60% increase in participation in just the past year alone! This makes girls' wrestling the fastest-growing high school sport in the United States, and for good reason.
As more states get behind this movement, it's clear that girls' wrestling is no longer just a niche sport. It's become a legitimate force, thanks to the tireless efforts of athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters who believe in creating opportunities for equality. Kentucky, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania have already hosted their first state-sanctioned championships, with Louisiana becoming the 45th state to formally sanction girls’ wrestling, and that’s just the beginning. Women’s collegiate wrestling, classified as an "emerging" sport, is on track to become a championship-level NCAA sport by 2026.
The rise of girls’ wrestling is a direct reflection of the growth and success of women’s sports overall. From the powerhouse performance of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team to record-breaking moments in women’s basketball, female athletes are making their mark across the country. Girls’ wrestling is no exception. Once, female wrestlers were forced to compete on boys' teams or against boys. Now, they're getting their time to shine on their own girls' teams, in sanctioned tournaments, and on the state and national stage.
Over the past decade, the number of girls' wrestling teams in high schools quadrupled. Last year alone, participation spiked nearly 60%, marking the biggest surge in decades. But even with this rapid growth, the numbers are still just a fraction of those in other female sports, like basketball, soccer, and track and field.
Wrestling has always been seen as a grueling, intense sport, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It takes strength, stamina, and an unyielding spirit of determination. But for those who dare to face the challenge, it teaches resilience, inner strength, and discipline like no other. And now, more and more girls are rising to the occasion.
Closer to home, the rising stars of girls' wrestling are proving that this sport is just as much for girls as it is for boys. Take Alexis Gibson, a freshman from Greenup County School, for example. She recently made history as the first female wrestler from her school to qualify for the State Championship! Her incredible journey, which began just a year and a half ago, has been nothing short of inspiring.
Alexis is a perfect example of the competitive spirit that drives the growing momentum in girls’ wrestling. Despite her bubbly personality, which often gets her in trouble for socializing too much before matches, she transforms once she's on the mat. “My coaches will tell me to quit socializing so much before matches… but I’m nice! I like to talk to everybody!” Alexis shared. But when the whistle blows, she’s all business. Her coaches describe her as “hardworking, determined, and a true competitor” who takes every hit and keeps pushing forward.
Coach Sites, who has worked closely with Alexis, believes she is an inspiration to other young girls looking to try out the sport of wrestling. "She is the perfect example of a coachable athlete," he shared. "She will give other females confidence because she’s dynamite in a small package. They’ll see her accomplishments and want a piece of that pie. This is not just a boys' sport."
It’s not just Greenup County making waves. Let’s not forget Destiny Jackson from Boyd County, who made history last year as the first-ever state placer in Boyd County Girls Wrestling history, finishing fourth place in the state tournament.
This year’s Boyd County Girls Varsity Wrestling Team recently competed in the second-ever KHSAA Region 4 Tournament, where they sent three athletes—Lexie Dingess, Angelyna Parks, and Destiny Walters—to the State Tournament. Boyd County has a young and exciting team, and the future of girls' wrestling in the area looks brighter than ever.
Alissa Nolen, a senior at Boyd County High School and a proud member of the Boyd County Girls Wrestling Team, took to Facebook to express her gratitude for the opportunities wrestling has given her. "I’m so grateful for all the opportunities Boyd County wrestling has given me over the past 4 years," she wrote. "Every single person—coaches, teammates, and opponents—has made a difference in my life." Alissa went on to thank her coaches and teammates for pushing her out of her comfort zone and encouraging her to give wrestling a try. "I quickly learned that wrestling was a sport I’ll forever cherish."
Ashland, too, has joined the ranks of history-makers, with Vivian Moyer, Riley Mahan, and Cheyanne Maggard becoming the first female wrestlers from Ashland to qualify for the KHSAA State Championship. What makes this feat even more impressive is that these fierce young ladies are just in the seventh grade and are already paving the way for the future of girls wrestling at Ashland.
As the sport continues to grow, we can expect even more girls to follow in the footsteps of athletes like Alexis, Lexie, Angelyna, and Destiny. Whether it’s the fierce competition, the mental toughness, or the community that builds around the sport, girls' wrestling is here to stay.
And as we watch these young women push boundaries, break records, and inspire their peers, it’s clear that the rise of girls' wrestling is more than just a trend—it's a movement! The future of wrestling is bright, and it’s only getting brighter. Let's keep cheering them on and lifting them up as they show the world that girls can wrestle too!
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