Doug Kretzer, head wrestling coach at McPherson High School, put forth a proposal for adding girls wrestling as an approved KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Athletic Association) sport for KSHSAA member schools.
"As with any sport, KSHSAA member schools would have the option to allow girls wrestling at their school," said Kretzer.
The McPherson coach made a strong case for the KSHSAA to add girls wrestling to its list of sanctioned sports, citing growth in participation among girls at various levels -- from youth, high school, and college, and even international women's freestyle competition. Among specific examples mentioned by Kretzer: USA Wrestling card membership and state tournament participation has grown each year after year for the past 5 years ... and new women's college programs being established within the state of Kansas. What's more, 111 girls participated in existing high school wrestling programs within the state last season.
Presently, at least six other states already have separate competition for young women in high school, including separate state championships. Those states include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Texas, and Washington State.
"Other states that have added girls wrestling as a sanctioned high school sport have seen tremendous increase in participation once girls have the opportunity to compete against girls," said Kretzer.
In Kretzer's proposal, the women's wrestling season in Kansas would run parallel to the regular KSHSAA wrestling season. All current wrestling season rules and regulations would apply, except for a unique set of eleven weight classes -- 95, 102, 110, 119, 128, 138, 148, 165, 185, and 215 pounds -- which have been adopted from the weights successfully used in Texas high school girls wrestling. Girls would not be allowed to compete in the boys weight classes unless a specific tournament does not include girls weight classes.
As for the state tournament, there would be a single state tournament incorporating all classes, from 1A through 6A, with no qualifier needed. This allows for KSHSAA and its member schools to monitor/increase participation, according to Kretzer.
Kretzer also addressed potential financial concerns of Kansas high schools.
"By running boys and girls wrestling seasons at the same time -- similar to track and field in the state of Kansas -- the financial impact to schools that choose to participate would be minimal," said Kretzer. "Most schools would not need to increase their coaching staff or travel budgets, as many programs already have girls competing on their teams, this will just give them a platform to compete against like opponents. Increase in costs for hosting events with an added female division will also be minimal, and should require little effort to accommodate. There may be additional costs to KSHSAA when hosting post-season events, but those can even be scheduled to be competed at the same sites already used for wrestling post-season."
In his proposal, Kretzer says that 24 Kansas high schools would need to start girls wrestling programs for the KSHSAA to consider sanctioning the sport. He said three -- McPherson, Clearwater, and Derby -- have already expressed interest. He encouraged coaches and athletic directors at interested schools to contact the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.
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