Girls' wrestling to be sanctioned by IGHSAU in 2022-23

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Board of Directors voted unanimously to sanction girls' wrestling as the organization's 11th sport.

The vote was made at the IGHSAU board meeting on Jan. 12 and was announced prior to the start of the championship round of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials girls' state wrestling tournament at Coralville. The first IGHSAU-sanctioned season will take place during the 2022-23 school year.

"We think there's a great foundation in place for the success of this sport and we intend to fully support these girls as they continue their pursuit of championships," said IGHSAU Executive Director Jean Berger in a news release. "As the sanctioning process unfolded, the board was able to quickly approve this new opportunity for our girls and schools across the state. The increase in participation, the growth in youth wrestling and the willingness of our schools to commit to the sport all factored into this decision."

The IGHSAU intends to follow the National Federation of State High School Association's wrestling rules and guidelines. The next steps in this process include meeting with an appointed IGHSAU wrestling advisory committee this winter to finalize details for the roll-out year that include format for the season, classification system, weight classes and postseason/tournament details.

"The IGHSAU has said from the beginning that our intent is to do what is best for the girls who participate. We look forward to giving them the same amazing experiences as the other 10 sports under our umbrella, and to leave nothing spared when it comes to building them as student athletes and leaders. We also look forward to supporting the coaches and officials who serve alongside these athletes, and to give their fans a greater appreciation for what these females already do day in and day out," said IGHSAU Associate Director and Wrestling Administrator Erin Kirtley.

To date, 58 schools have committed to sponsoring girls' wrestling programs in Iowa. The latest data from Trackwrestling.com shows 1,018 girls participating in high school wrestling, represented by over 185 schools. Iowa becomes the 34th state association to sanction girls' wrestling.

Historically, three females have been part of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn wrestling program. Leslee Naber and Amanda Tewes participated in wrestling in the early 2000s and Carli Ahrenstorff was a member of the 2016-17 squad.

There are approximately 10 girls in the current Okoboji/HMS wrestling program. Five of them participated in the IWCOA state tournament last month.