GIG HARBOR, Wash. — It's one of the biggest takedowns in the history for women's wrestling. The NCAA announced in late January that women's wrestling would be its 91st official sport, allowing divisions I,II, and III to compete for championships as early as 2026.
"I was pretty excited," Peninsula High School junior Bailey Parker said. "I think it's pretty cool that it's all being recognized, because it was all pretty small just a few years ago and it's just grown so fast."
Mira Sonnen is a returning state champion in the 145 pound class. She started wrestling only in high school and is proud of the fast growth of the sport.
"It's really rewarding almost to finally get that pushed through because as soon as I joined this sport, you know it's an emerging sport, you're trying to grow it, and that's kind of proof of what we've been trying to do, so it's very cool," she said.
The ruling came at the perfect time for these Peninsula wrestlers, who are grappling with the arduous process of college recruitment.
"Most of the conversations I've had with wrestling coaches about it is they're typically like we're trying to transition the program but it's hard to get that support when it's not officially part of that tournament, so I think it will help them and in turn help me," Sonnen said. "Everyone in wrestling wants it to happen."
It's good for the expansion of the sport, which saw a 60 percent increase last year, up to roughly 65,000 participants across the country.
"I grew up wrestling mainly guys and just in high school definitely opened up to more opportunities to wrestle girls for me and it's grown crazy," Parker, the 155 pound returning state champion said.
Olivia Griffin is the daughter of the head wrestling coach at Peninsula High School. The 105-pound senior has been wrestling her entire life, along with her brother. She's thrilled with the growing interest for girls.
"Obviously now, there's still less girls than boys but I welcome going into a room where I'm one of few girls," she said.
Sonnen attributes the success to to the culture in the sport.
"Even though it's individual, it's very supportive and I think it's because we all know that we're going through very similar seasons and we're all working for the same thing," she said.
Whether or not these young women continue to pin opponents at the next level, the NCAA's recognition legitimizes the sport their love and gives it the national attention deserved to propel it into the continuing conversation around women's sports.
"I think it'll give it even more of a spotlight because I think it's just starting to get talked about," Sonnen said.
Griffin agreed.
"It can give more opportunities for scholarships and it broadens the sport to a whole new level for girls and women going to college."