Girls’ wrestling is the fastest-growing high school sport in the US. The sport has quadrupled in size in the last decade, with more than fifty thousand girls participating.
Idaho had its first girls’ official state in 2019, and the Lakeland High School girls’ team had the biggest team they ever had in 2023-2024 season with five girls. They are continuing to grow and are trying to recruit more girls for their team.
“Wrestling not only makes someone a part of the team but also part of a family,” the head girls’ coach Dave Quimby said. “Wrestling builds character and discipline while also creating memories and strong bonds with others.”
Wrestling is the most mentally and physically demanding sport, and the Lakeland girls’ team is very close and always helps each other out when needed. They are always on the side of the mat, cheering each other on.
“It is the fastest-growing sport in the nation. It builds discipline and teaches determination,” Annika Thompson said. “It strengthens your body and teaches you a type of self-defense, and everyone should know some kind of self-defense.”
It will help girls in the real world and help.
“Wrestling makes girls tougher and helps them overcome adversity,” Quimby said.
Wrestling helps people grow as individuals; all the lessons they learn in the sport will stay with them for their entire lives. The coaches are open for girls to join and are always willing to help before and after practice.
“Wrestling runs in my family, and I have always wanted to wrestle,” Thompson said. “It took some convincing, but around fifth grade, my parents finally let me, and I fell in love.”
