What Does Girls Wrestling Offer from a Spectator Perspective?

As a spectator, team sports offer an appreciation for well-planned plays with everyone contributing to success. There will be standout players, but members of the team create the moments for those individuals to be standout players, whether it be a pass or a block. This includes football, soccer, basketball, volleyball and hockey to just name a few.

On the flip side of the coin is the “individual” sport. Without question, individual sports also have a team concept and team dynamics. However, with sports like wrestling or gymnastics, all spectators know who is responsible for what happens next. Whether that is a pin or a perfect landing, the crowd knows who earned it. This also creates a spectator environment with a lot of emotions.

One may argue that wrestling, in general, is an emotional, individual sport. Spectators become attached and individuals are put on pedestals as they display their grit. Boys and young men have been wrestling for years. Any gym hosting a wrestling event is charged with spirit, cheering, and expresses celebration or defeat. Spectators cannot blame teammates in a loss; the individual has to take the loss and show grace – as does the winner. Wrestling spectators are not passive – they react right away with a takedown, reversal or fall.

Girls competing in wrestling have drawn new people to the sport. Spectators are learning rules as they go. They may not understand the sport, but they have come to cheer individuals. They have come to watch their daughter, friend or sibling. As spectators become knowledgeable about the sport, there is an atmosphere of pure coaching, athlete improvement and a next level of grit.

Many girls in wrestling are coming out for the first time in high school, with minimal prior knowledge. Coaches teach the skill and it is learned correctly (not a dad showing moves in a basement when they were four years old). Improvement happens quickly, and the desire to be better is evident. A level of grit is shown with girls that may not have had the opportunity to be displayed in other activities. This is usually a crowd reaction when a “wow, she is tough” moment is displayed.

However, let’s not forget the traditional wrestling family where, until a couple years ago, sisters watched their brothers. Now is the time where siblings can support each other and parents have the opportunity to see their sons and daughters compete in the sport they love. The sister’s knowledge is deep with wrestling since she has watched countless matches. She actually may have a better understanding than her brother because she never competed, just watched. Anyway you look at it, a wrestling family is all-inclusive, and their spirit and cheer is evident when you walk into a gym.

With the emotion involved in wrestling, spectators become invested in the individuals, especially during tournaments or throughout the season. Wins are celebrated and losses are felt and dealt with. Teaching student-athletes, whether a boy or a girl, how to lose and get ready for the next match is a key life lesson. Spectators also have to deal with a loss and rally for the next match.

Realistically, in five years when girls wrestling is no longer “new,” the hope is people will still attend and support. The traditional wrestling spectator who grew up with only boys wrestling, will attend any night there is a match regardless of gender. The “newer” spectators will understand more and add to the emotional investment when cheering. Boys will cheer on girls matches and girls will cheer on boys matches. Until that happens, girls wrestling offers next-level camaraderie within the system. Girls support athletes from other teams. The team concept within the girls program is fresh and supportive. It is individualized, but each girl wrestler is in the same situation – new sport, new moves and new environment. Support is deep for their fellow teammates and opponents.

Overall, there is something extremely compelling about a young woman stepping onto the mat, facing an opponent, and competing in a sport that has historically not provided this opportunity. The growth of girls wrestling is astronomical and empowering. Spectators have the opportunity to be part of something new and become a piece of its history.

Lisa Myran-Schutte, CMAA, has been an athletic/activities director at several schools in Minnesota, including Houston High School and Pine Island High School. She is a member of the High School Today Publications Committee. She can be reached at lisa.myran.schutte@pineisland.k12.mn.us.