Coaches and wrestlers react to OSAA’s decision to include girls’ wrestling as a sanctioned sport in Oregon

By a unanimous vote Monday morning, the Oregon School Activities Association assembly of delegates voted to make girls’ wrestling the newest sanctioned sport in Beaver State high schools.

The change, though primarily an OSAA formality, was historic in that it marks the first time since 1979 that the state has added an official high school sport.

The change allows schools to continue to operate their girls’ and boys’ wrestling teams as a single entity if they so choose. However, this allows schools to more easily separate teams with two different head coaches if they wish.

With over 1,000 participants in the 2022-23 school year, OSAA could not ignore the growth of the sport in recent years. Attendance has nearly doubled since OSAA first offered girls’ state wrestling championships in the 2018-19 school year. As numbers increased, OSAA had to split classifications from a statewide group into a 6A/5A and a 4A/3A/2A/1A classification.

Coaches and wrestlers from across the state have had their fair share of comments regarding the inclusion of girls’ wrestling in OSAA’s official athletic offering:

Neil Russo, Newberg head coach

“I think this will be something positive for the sport of girls’ wrestling and for wrestling in general. Any time we create more opportunities for children, it’s a good thing. Girls wrestling is one of (if not THE) fastest growing sports in the country and state of Oregon. This addition will help continue that growth for young women and fuel the development of coaches in sport.”

Luke Cleaver, Nyssa head coach

“I think it adds the credibility that should already be there in terms of women’s athletics. Especially wrestling specifically. In terms of growth now, national and Oregon growth. It’s time and it’s time to be identified with certainty as a separate entity.”

JD Alley, Culver’s head coach

“It was moving forward even before OSAA recognized it as a wrestling division four years ago. We were always a few years behind Washington, and we mimicked their moves in terms of divisional breakdowns in terms of numbers. And we’ve made or matched those kinds of predictions every time. Over each year we plan X growth and it is always exceeded.”

“It’s the fastest growing sport in the country. I think what a feather in the cap for some of these pioneers who started this. The first sport in almost 45 years. So, in reference to the OSAA not adding a sport in all these years. This playbook is long since finished and gone. How many directors and board members have passed through this building in the last 45 years.”

Jake Gonzalez, Crook County head coach

“I think it’s great that girls’ wrestling is growing exponentially and that it’s officially added to OSAA is great for the sport of wrestling.”

Haley Vann of Cleveland and MacKenzie Shearon of Redmond compete in the 130-pound championship game at the Lady Dragon Invitational on January 21, 2023 at Dallas High School.

Haley Vann, Cleveland wrestler and three-time state champion

“(It’s) about time, especially given how much we’ve grown in these few years and added another division to the state championships. I hope this gives the wrestling girls even more opportunities in their season next year.”

Tony Champion, North Medford head coach

“I think it’s going to open up the horizons and you’ll see the numbers around the schools go up a lot. And I think you’re going to see more government funding too. Eventually, you’ll start seeing teams that are exclusively dedicated. Just like a boys basketball team and a girls basketball team, you have a boys wrestling team and a girls wrestling team. Of course, that takes numbers, and that’s the kind of thing that’s going to help push it forward,” Champion told the Rogue Valley Times.

Kevin Keeney, West Linn head coach

“In the end it’s good. It’s great for the sport of wrestling. 10 years ago they thought about taking wrestling out of the Olympics. Women’s wrestling saves Olympic wrestling and saves wrestling in general. That’s the great news about it. More official women’s wrestling everywhere is outstanding for the sport of wrestling.”

– Nik Streng, [email protected], @NikStreng