Coach Christina Hansen stood at the edge of the mat, watching as more girls joined the team this season. A rush of excitement coursed through her veins at the surge in the number of eager spirits and fresh faces. A smile graced her lips. These athletes were committed and determined, ready to push boundaries and prove to everyone that wrestling was for anyone willing to do the work regardless of gender.

This is Hansen’s fourth season coaching the girls’ wrestling team. Seven girls were on the team in the sport’s first season, which was 2021. Since then, Hansen has noticed an increased participation of about 15-20 girls joining each season.

“I’d love us to grow even more, we have a strong foundation right now to work from,” Hansen said.

According to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations,  the number of high school girls wrestling teams has increased to 50,000 over the past decade. Last year participant numbers rose by 60%, the largest increase for wrestling in decades.

“Wrestlers learn how powerful their body can be and how physically and mentally capable they can be as well. It’s a demanding and tough-as-nails sport,” Hansen said. “To be able to compete in a wrestling match or to finish a wrestling season is a huge accomplishment. You learn a lot about yourself and how much you can overcome.”

Senior Kloee Mitcham started wrestling in 7th grade. She joined the wrestling program because she was interested in it and many of her male friends were there.

“Wrestling has shown me lots of discipline. My confidence and determination were boosted. I went from a shy little girl to a motivational pioneer leader, so that was a big step for me,” Mitcham said.

Many girls that join have a brother, dad, uncle, or other family members who have wrestled and are encouraging them to try it out. On the other hand, another handful of girls are looking for something new and different to try.

“Wrestling is a tough sport. I think the girls that try out for it are either trying to learn how to be tough or have an upbringing where hard work as a value has been encouraged,” Hansen said.

For anyone who wants to join wrestling and is unsure, Mitcham encourages them to try out wrestling for one season.

“You don’t know how much you love something until you find that determination and dedication to stick with it and that’s when you grow as an individual,” Mitcham said.

Hansen and her assistant coach strive to maintain a positive environment for their players. As a mentally and physically demanding sport, they always want them to succeed.

“Literally our team is a bunch of goofballs. Any wrestler who begins starts off not knowing anything.” Hansen said. “We’ve all been there. Any wrestler is willing to help out a newbie because they [the wrestlers] all remember how they felt on their first day.”

One aspect Mitcham loves about wrestling is the community. Each wrestler builds discipline in each other and makes their teammates improve, not just themselves.

“Once you find the community that you belong to, you meet friends along the way. They[other wrestlers] are in the same boat as you, so you connect with everybody that way,” Mitcham said.

To Hansen success is not just winning but being open to new learning styles, being courageous, and having a no-quit attitude.

“There are so many styles of wrestling, techniques, and different approaches, that any body style can be successful in wrestling,” Hansen said.

Senior Ahnika Ficken started wrestling when she was a freshman. Although she hesitated at first, she joined after another wrestler she looked up to did.

“I think it’s been the best decision of my life. It’s a tough sport, but I keep coming back for it for the community,” Ficken said.

From Ficken’s first practice to now, she has grown a lot with skill, maturity, and being a good teammate.

“Outside the sport, it [wrestling] boosted my confidence, made me a lot more resilient, and it improved my leadership skills because I’m surrounded by people with the same goals as me, and learned how to guide them [new wrestlers],” Ficken said.

Hansen and the female wrestlers are euphoric from the increase in female participants and wrestling’s growing popularity. As the number of girls rises, they’re not just joining the ranks, they’re rewriting and bending the rules.