Jan. 12—MORGANTOWN — Girls’ wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports in the entire country when it comes to participants and talent.

With over 40 states having already sanctioned girls’ wrestling in athletics, it’s past-time for our state to follow suit and for the WVSSAC to recognize the fastest growing sport in America officially.

In recent years, the girls’ wrestling state tournament was moved from its own individual event to the Saturday of the boys’ state tournament in Huntington, and rightfully so, as some of the female wrestlers around the state are accomplishing just as much (if not more) than some of the males.

Multiple girls not only compete within the state but also travel to national tournaments, representing their schools and the state well. Preston High School sophomore Ava Turner captured the title at the Women of Ironman tournament a few weeks back, which is considered the most prestigious tournament in the country for prep wrestling. She was also recently ranked the top pound-for-pound girls wrestler in the state.

Girls’ wrestling shouldn’t be tolerated ; it should be celebrated. Not as a favor or an exception, but as a force that is reshaping the sport itself.

When women step onto the mat, it doesn’t dilute the sport ; it sharpens it. This is how sports evolve. Scholarship opportunities have begun to explode across the country as well.

Girls’ wrestling isn’t catching up ; it’s pushing forward, creating talented, disciplined competitors.

Growth isn’t something to fear ; it is something to respect, and right now, girls’ wrestling proves that the sport is very much alive.

It’s time for the WVSSAC to do what’s right and what’s fair for the talented girl wrestlers around the state.