Power moves

Emma Arnold, Sports Writer

Megan Rapinoe, an American soccer player once said“Putting yourself out there is hard, but it’s so worth it. I don’t think anyone who has ever spoken out, or stood up or had a brave moment, has regretted it. It’s empowering and confidence- building and inspiring. Not only to other people, but to yourself.” The University of Iowa announced on September 23, 2021 that it will become the first Power five school and NCAA Division I institution to add a women’s wrestling program. The season will begin competing in the 2023-24 season. “Women’s wrestling at the NCAA Division I level will provide another option for athletics programs to gain compliance,” Gazette Sports Reporter KJ Pilcher said. “Iowa’s decision to be the first Power-5 Conference school to start a NCAA Division I women’s wrestling program just seems right.” Iowa is making a huge impact not only for the college level but also for the high school level, with over 600 girls competing in this year’s 2021 high school state wrestling tournament. As of right now, there are five intercollegiate women’s wrestling programs in Iowa. As wrestling continues to grow across the nation, high schools will start to sanction a women’s wrestling program. The University of Iowa adding the program is a huge turn for the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union. “Participation levels could grow given that athletes have higher levels and more opportunities to compete in college outside of NAIA, NCAA Division I and II,” said Pilcher. “Iowa adding the sport could cause IGHSAU to loosen that requirement or it could lead to more schools adding programs to get over the necessary threshold for sanctioning.” Numerous schools have already started a wrestling program for women. However, the University of Iowa is the first big school to provide this opportunity. This allows the women’s wrestling program to be fully funded, with the University of Iowa pledging to give 10 full ride scholarships per year. As women’s wrestling continues to evolve and Iowa steps up to make a huge decision, many hope to see other Big Ten schools follow behind them. “It’s good for female sports and to see Iowa step up as the first school to start a women’s wrestling program is cool,” said Xavier wrestler Christian Stanek (X22). As the head coach of Iowa’s wrestling team Tom Brand says, “There is no greater place in the world to wrestle than Iowa City, Iowa.”