Women’s wrestling is often overlooked as “pathetic” or “not right,” but it is much more than that. Over the past 20 years, it has grown substantially. Growing up in the world of wrestling, I have noticed this. In 2009, there would be at most one girl at any meet (youth through high school), wrestling against boys, of course. Now there are up to six girls per meet! As more and more girls sign up, other girls are encouraged as well. I hope to clarify what it’s like to wrestle as a girl and why this is such a big deal that it’s becoming more popular.
An individual who hasn’t wrestled, or seen wrestling, has an opinion that it’s all about violence and girls should not be involved, or that girls would not excel at it. Girls against girls have just as much of an advantage as boys against boys do. However, in WV, there aren’t enough girls involved in wrestling for them to only wrestle other girls. Wrestling through the years, I have rarely been put against a girl at an open tournament. This year, though, lots more girls have signed up throughout the state. So West Virginia has decided to host the very first girls wrestling state meet this season.
Being a girl in this sport is difficult. You are ridiculed and looked down upon. It is hard to wrestle as a girl mainly because people don’t see potential. You have to earn respect from teammates and coaches, which takes time and extra effort. In the past, girls have been undermined and considered weak. But if you have watched women’s wrestling you will see quite the opposite. Wrestling should be something that anyone can feel free to do without judgment. I have received plenty of that over the years, but I feel confident that it will soon become more approved by the norms of society. The state meet this year will open up opportunities for girls who wrestle in so many ways. Colleges will be able to scout easier and girls will finally have a chance to wrestle other girls. All in all, don’t judge someone for something they want to do, and pursue your interests.