Growing Girls Wrestling
By Josie Painter
Each day, girls’ wrestling grows stronger, showcasing skill, dedication, and a passion for the sport that inspires everyone watching. With every match, the girls create a legacy of excellence on and off the mat. Just like any other sport Nebraska girls’ wrestling has faced its own set of challenges, but through hard work and determination, the fastest-growing sport in the nation will reach new limits.
Over the past few years, girls wrestling has grown tremendously and the need to split into separate classes was very apparent last year. In April 2024, Les Painter and Norm Manstedt wrote a proposal to make two classes for girls’ wrestling. It was passed successfully, splitting the Nebraska girls’ wrestling program into two classes. The top 56 girls’ schools were put in Class A and the remaining were placed in Class B, but both classes remain competitive with Class A having 36 returning state medalists and Class B containing 27. The splitting of classes will allow six more girls to medal at state in each weight bracket giving the wrestlers a better chance at success.
As of now, the Nebraska girl’s state duals will be put on by the NSWCA (Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association), but the hope is to have the NSAA take it over soon allowing for a banner to be put up on the wall and an actual NSAA trophy. This is just one example of how girls’ wrestling can and will expand.
This year marks the fourth anniversary of Nebraska girls’ wrestling being sanctioned through the NSAA. Yet, in Pierce, the girls’ wrestling program began with Sonia (Legate) Liska and Les Painter five years ago, which has helped to give Pierce the edge it has needed. Throughout the years the program in Pierce has only grown and has consistently filled all the weight classes with competitive girls ready to wrestle.
This year the girl’s wrestling team has 17 girls with one state returner, Isabelle Kuehler, and all but three have lettered. Hadleigh Collison, senior, says, “I have participated in wrestling since the first year it was sanctioned, and my class (the class of 2024) will be the first to have competed as a sanctioned NSAA sport for all four years of high school. Girls wrestling has become a major part of my life to the point that I even look forward to it during volleyball season, this sport is so big for mental toughness and emotions, so it really teaches you how to deal with that, not only in this sport but in life too.”
This year districts will be held at Pierce and head coach Painter describes what he hopes that will look like, “We have 23 teams coming, and if we have 16 or more in a bracket, we'll have to wrestle Friday and Saturday, but if there are no more than 16 in every bracket, we will only wrestle on Saturday.” He then goes on to say, “I think we possibly could be the best team in that district. Our goal is to win the district this year, but there will be some challenges along the way.”
The remarkable rise of girls wrestling reflects the growing opportunities and recognition for female athletes, showcasing their talent, determination, and passion for the sport. This continued growth highlights a bright future for wrestling as it becomes more inclusive and inspiring for the next generation.
