
In a significant step toward equality in sports, the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) recently hosted its inaugural girls' wrestling state finals, marking a new milestone for female athletes across the state. Robert Faulkens, IHSAA assistant commissioner, said, "There will always be others, but there will never be another first," celebrating the occasion as girls wrestled for the state championship under the IHSAA's full recognition. Fox59 reported that the journey to this point has taken eight years, starting with just under 90 competitors and growing to around 2,000 participants from more than 250 schools.
The evolution of girls wrestling has been rapid in Indiana, with the sport gaining "emerging sport" status in 2022 before receiving full IHSAA recognition last year. According to IHSAA, more than 14,000 student athletes now represent 177 girls wrestling teams. Andrew Nedelsky, associate girls wrestling coach at Mooresville High School, symbolized the drive behind this movement, asserting to his team that "every day is an opportunity to get better." His junior wrestler, Madison Whitted, shared the sentiment of unity and individuality, stating, "Every girl, she is her own person," she continued, "but at the end of the day, we are all one team," in a quote given to WTHR.
The state finals, held at Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, marked the conclusion of this historic season. The event attracted more than just the wrestling community, featuring a display of competition and sportsmanship. Four wrestlers from Hancock County earned all-state honors at the finals, as reported by the Greenfield Reporter, with emotions running high among both the winners and those who were defeated.
The significance of the event was recognized by Markaela Pugh, a former competitor in 2017 who is now coaching at her alma mater, Hamilton Heights. "We started this, and it’s grown so, so much in such a little amount of time," Pugh told Fox59. She drew comparisons to the boys' state finals, noting the similar energy, packed stands, and attention given to the athletes, which reflects the growing recognition of the girls' sport.