Takedown Report

West Virginia SSAC approves Girls Wrestling for 2026 season

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The WVSSAC will introduce a new preliminary sanctioned sport for the 2026-2027 athletic season.
The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission Board of Directors voted on Tuesday night to approve girls wrestling as a preliminary sanctioned sport beginning next school year.
The decision officially establishes a WVSSAC girls wrestling state championship, supported by a regional qualifying format that will be conducted separately from the boys’ state wrestling tournament.
According to the WVSSAC, participation in girls’ wrestling has grown significantly. In 2023, 142 student-athletes participated in the sport, and this year, more than 300 student-athletes participated, representing 86 different schools.
WVSSAC Executive Director Wayne Ryan stated, “The WVSSAC is excited to add girls wrestling to our championship offerings. 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.”
Executive Director Ryan says the preliminary designation allows the sport to keep expanding without placing additional infrastructure demands of being a full team sanctioned sport.
Ryan says those demands require a minimum number of complete programs statewide, as well as adherence to national federation regulations that govern roster limits, … more at … https://www.wtrf.com/news/wvssac-approves-girls-wrestling-for-2026-season/

February 26, 2026 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized