The 2024-2025 wrestling season is upon us. With that, some new rules have been implemented by the IHSAA. 

The most impactful rule change has affected wrestling. Girls’ wrestling is now a separate sport from boys’. This means boys can no longer wrestle girls, which is a huge deal because this year we have one girl wrestler, freshman Karma Ledgerwood. 

In past years, this would not have been a big deal because Karma Ledgerwood would have wrestled in her normal weight class and competed in the meets with the boys. However, with the new rule change, that is no longer allowed.

Girls are now required to have their own meets, so Karma Ledgerwood and the other girl wrestlers will have a separate schedule and even a separate Sectional from the boys’ team.

As the season unfolds, we will see how this rule change affects girls wrestling.

“In the future, it will really benefit the girls. They will have their own end-of-the-year tournament. I also think, not having to wrestle boys will encourage more girls to come out and give wrestling a try. Hopefully, this helps grow the sport in Indiana,” said Wrestling Coach JT Zapien.

In the meantime, if any girl is interested in wrestling get in contact with the Varsity wrestling coach J.T. Zapien his email is [email protected].