Does NCAA Have Women’s Wrestling?By Coder| August 31, 2023 Wrestling Does NCAA Have Women’s Wrestling? Women’s wrestling has seen a significant rise in popularity and participation in recent years. As more and more girls and women take up the sport, one question that often arises is whether the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) offers women’s wrestling as a competitive sport. In this article, we will explore the current state of women’s wrestling in the NCAA and shed light on its growth and potential. The Growth of Women’s Wrestling Women’s wrestling has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Historically considered a male-dominated sport, women slowly started breaking barriers by competing at various levels. The inclusion of women’s wrestling in the Olympics in 2004 further fueled its growth and gave it global exposure. As interest grew, high schools across the country began offering women’s wrestling programs. This paved the way for college-level competition and raised questions about whether the NCAA would recognize women’s wrestling as an official sport. The NCAA and Women’s Wrestling Currently, the NCAA does not officially sponsor women’s wrestling as a championship sport. However, this does not mean that there are no opportunities for female wrestlers at the college level. Several colleges and universities have taken it upon themselves to establish women’s wrestling programs outside of NCAA sponsorship. These programs often compete independently or under organizations like the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA). The WCWA – Filling the Gap The WCWA serves as an avenue for female wrestlers to compete at the collegiate level. It provides opportunities for student-athletes to showcase their skills through regional tournaments, national championships, and All-American honors. Inclusivity: The WCWA allows wrestlers from both NCAA-affiliated schools and non-affiliated schools to participate, providing a platform for all female athletes. Development: By competing in the WCWA, women’s wrestling continues to grow and gain recognition, which may eventually lead to official NCAA sponsorship. Scholarships: Some schools offer scholarships specifically for female wrestlers, enabling talented athletes to pursue their education while competing at a high level. The Future of Women’s Wrestling in the NCAA While the NCAA currently does not offer women’s wrestling as a championship sport, there is hope for its future inclusion. The rapid growth and increased interest in women’s wrestling indicate a strong potential for its recognition by the NCAA in the coming years. Efforts are underway to advocate for the addition of women’s wrestling as an official NCAA sport. As more colleges establish women’s wrestling programs and more athletes express interest, pressure builds on the NCAA to embrace this evolving sport. With each passing year, the likelihood of women’s wrestling becoming an NCAA-sponsored competition becomes more promising. In Conclusion Although the NCAA does not currently have women’s wrestling as an official championship sport, opportunities exist for female wrestlers at the college level through organizations like the WCWA. As interest and participation continue to grow, there is optimism that the NCAA will recognize women’s wrestling and provide even greater opportunities for female athletes in the future.
