By Dana Hess
For the S.D. Newspaper Association
PIERRE — Because of the growth in the number of participants, it has been proposed that a separate girls’ wrestling tournament be held next year. Currently the state wrestling tournament includes boys’ and girls’ divisions.
The South Dakota High School Activities Association board of directors heard about the proposal at its meeting Wednesday. The change will be voted on at the annual athletic directors’ meeting before being formally proposed to the board.
SDHSAA Assistant Executive Director Randy Soma told the board that the sport of girls’ wrestling has grown significantly during its three years of existence. He said the program started with 125 girls in 2021, grew to 284 participants in 2022 and this year the field of female wrestlers grew to 416.
Because of the growth in the number of participants, the state wrestling tournament days can go from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. “They are working long days at that tournament,” Soma said.
If approved by the athletic directors and the SDHSAA board, the tournament would take place next year in the week before the boys’ tournament at a venue to be determined.
States that have large enough venues are able to keep their boys’ and girls’ wrestling tournaments together, according to Dan Swartos, SDHSAA executive director. The only place with enough in the state is the DakotaDome at the University of South Dakota. Swartos said Vermillion would need to add 10 more motels to be able to handle the teams and spectators.
According to Soma, having the two tournaments on the same weekend in different locations isn’t an option. At some schools, both squads have the same coach.
