MontanaSports.com: Montana High School Association to add girls wrestling as sanctioned sport
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by Richie Melby, MontanaSports.com
BILLINGS -- The Montana High School Association executive board passed proposals for the MSHA to add girls wrestling and boys powerlifting as sanctioned sports during the MHSA's annual meeting on Monday in Billings. The sports will be offered to member schools beginning with the 2020-21 school year.
It was announced in late November that the MHSA executive board would propose the additions of the sports after reviewing a study conducted by a committee suggested adding girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport in Montana. Under the current structure, where female wrestlers compete against their male counterparts, it's believed less than 20 girls wrestlers have qualified for the state tournament in Montana's history. Only three -- former Laurel wrestler Abi Gontarek, Kalispell's Tilynne Vasquez and Chinook's Rebecca Stroh -- have placed at state.
The recent addition of women's wrestling at the University of Providence in Great Falls, as well as numerous collegiate women's programs around the country, has sparked an increase in interest of female wrestling, according to those familiar with the study conducted in Montana. MTN Sports took a deeper look into Montana's female wrestling history and future in last February's MontanaSports.com Original " Something to prove."
While the move to add girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport gained traction, Title IX required the MHSA add a complementary boys sport. The proposal to add boys powerlifting, another growing sport in Big Sky Country, was also passed at the Billings Hotel & Convention Center on Monday afternoon.
Click for complete MontanaSports.com story
Editor's Note: Montana becomes the 21st state association to create an official girls high school wrestling program.
It was announced in late November that the MHSA executive board would propose the additions of the sports after reviewing a study conducted by a committee suggested adding girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport in Montana. Under the current structure, where female wrestlers compete against their male counterparts, it's believed less than 20 girls wrestlers have qualified for the state tournament in Montana's history. Only three -- former Laurel wrestler Abi Gontarek, Kalispell's Tilynne Vasquez and Chinook's Rebecca Stroh -- have placed at state.
The recent addition of women's wrestling at the University of Providence in Great Falls, as well as numerous collegiate women's programs around the country, has sparked an increase in interest of female wrestling, according to those familiar with the study conducted in Montana. MTN Sports took a deeper look into Montana's female wrestling history and future in last February's MontanaSports.com Original " Something to prove."
While the move to add girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport gained traction, Title IX required the MHSA add a complementary boys sport. The proposal to add boys powerlifting, another growing sport in Big Sky Country, was also passed at the Billings Hotel & Convention Center on Monday afternoon.
Click for complete MontanaSports.com story
Editor's Note: Montana becomes the 21st state association to create an official girls high school wrestling program.
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