The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission Board of Directors voted on Tuesday night to approve girls wrestling as a preliminary sanctioned sport beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
The decision establishes an official WVSSAC girls wrestling state championship supported by a regional qualifying format. The girls-only championship will be conducted separately from the boys state wrestling tournament.
Participation in girls wrestling has grown significantly in recent years, increasing from 142 student-athletes in 2023 to more than 300 statewide and representing 86 schools this year (27 full teams). The Board’s action formalizes a championship structure while maintaining the flexibility that has supported the sport’s rapid expansion.
As a preliminary sanctioned sport, girls wrestling will compete in dedicated regional and state championship events as more schools build toward full team sponsorship.
“The WVSSAC is excited to add girls wrestling to our championship offerings,” said Wayne Ryan, WVSSAC Executive Director. “We’re proud of the growth and progress that this sport has made in recent years, and this move gives these athletes a clear pathway to compete for a state championship while allowing schools to continue strengthening and expanding their programs.”
Ryan noted that full team sanctioning requires a minimum number of complete programs statewide, as well as adherence to national federation regulations that govern roster limits, team structure and competition formats. The preliminary designation allows girls wrestling to continue expanding without placing additional infrastructure demands on emerging programs.
“The vote for preliminary sanctioning of girls wrestling is an important step in legitimizing the sport while supporting its continued growth,” said Meredith Dailer, WVSSAC Board of Directors Chair and Principal at Wheeling Park. “This reasonable and flexible approach ensures our female student-athletes have the opportunity to compete and allows the sport to develop in a thoughtful, sustainable way.”