Women's wrestling is growing in central Iowa and among young athletes. Cartwheel, tumble and jump to start wrestling practice for Raccoon River Wrestling Club, Waukee's fastest growing youth club. The girls are teammates and competitors for 90 minutes twice a week. Wrestling will become a recognized sport for women in 2022. Since then, clubs and teams for girls have grown. “This is an experience that girls really want, and as soon as we sanctioned it and started saying they could come into an all-girls room and have the same experience, it exploded.” said James Viscoglia. The Raccoon River Wrestling Club coach said: Before the sport was sanctioned, girls could compete against boys. “I felt like I didn't belong there, and once this situation opened up, that changed,” wrestler Ira Buckingham said. Buckingham began to experience these positive changes. It wasn't just for her, but for the other girls as well. Wrestler Brynley Aldrich said, “I know it's something girls can do, and girls can do it too.” “It's more mental than physical,” Buckingham said. Wrestler Zoe Hutt said, “I know I worked hard. Even if I'm down in the rankings, I know I worked hard and I tried my best.” So girls who were once insecure now expect others to give them a shot on the mat. “It's okay to lose, because everyone loses. If you don't lose, you can't have a full wrestling career,” Hutt said. “Get a feel for this sport. It may not be for you, but it can be for anyone,” Aldrich said. So whether they're in her junior year or in high school… together they stand up and become champions. Several of the club's girls will be competing in her AAU Girls State Tournament this weekend in Cedar Rapids. The Raccoon River Club, which she started with 50 members in its first year last year, has grown to 70 members this season, made up of students from Waukee, Adele and Van Meter.
Women's wrestling is growing in central Iowa and among young athletes.
Cartwheel, tumble and jump to start wrestling practice for Raccoon River Wrestling Club, Waukee's fastest growing youth club. The girls are teammates and competitors for 90 minutes twice a week.
Wrestling became a recognized sport for women in 2022. Since then, clubs and teams for girls have grown.
“This is an experience that girls really want, and as soon as we sanctioned it and started saying they could come into an all-girls room and have the same experience, it exploded.” said James Viscoglia. The Raccoon River Wrestling Club coach said:
Before the sport was sanctioned, girls could compete against boys.
“I felt like I didn't belong there, and once this situation opened up, that changed,” wrestler Ira Buckingham said.
Buckingham began to experience these positive changes. It wasn't just for her, but for her other girls as well.
Wrestler Brynley Aldrich said, “I know it's something girls can do, and girls can do it too.”
“It's more mental than physical,” Buckingham said.
Wrestler Zoe Hutt said, “I know I worked hard. Even if I'm down in the rankings, I know I worked hard and I tried my best.”
So girls who were once insecure now expect others to give them a shot on the mat.
“It's okay to lose, because everyone loses. If you don't lose, you can't have a full wrestling career,” Hutt said.
“Get a feel for this sport. It may not be for you, but it can be for anyone,” Aldrich said.
So whether they're a third grader or a high schooler…we'll stand together and be champions.
Several of the club's girls will be competing in the AAU Girls State Tournament this weekend in Cedar Rapids. The Raccoon River Club, which she started with 50 members in its first year last year, has grown to 70 members this season, made up of students from Waukee, Adele and Van Meter.
