MaryMcKay

Girls wrestling is the fastest-growing high school sport in the country. In 2024 alone, the number of high school girls’ teams grew by 60%. Girl’s high school wrestling has been sanctioned in Nebraska for only three years.

Marian’s wrestling team has grown not only in number, but also in tradition within the three years of being a team. One tradition is team game night. One night every season, the team is surprised with board games, card games and more, at what was expected to be a practice. This is a fun bonding experience for the team that all girls look forward to.

Junior Keely Robbins has been on the team for all three years, and as an upperclassman without any seniors, she has taken on a large leadership role. “My goal for this season is to not only make it to state, but also to lead my teammates to go to state,” Robbins said. 

With wrestling being a new sport and having a small team, many girls have no prior experience and are trying something new. One thing Robbins wants everyone to know about wrestling is that the aggressive stigma behind the sport really hides the creative and artistic nature of it.

With many newcomers, the team now can split into two classes for wrestling. “We’re excited to be doubling the amount of kids to state, so I think we have a really good shot at podiuming a few kids this year,” coach Lauren Barefoot said. There are currently 16 active wrestlers and one team manager, Jackie Juan ’27.

They had their first dual on Dec. 5 against Omaha Northwest. Where they only lost by one pin and Cadence Porter ’26 won her individual match. With a close start, they are excited to see where the rest of the season takes them.

Wrestling is often given stereotypes, especially at an all-girls school. The reputation of the team is crucial for the future of the program.

 The more girls that try out, the more potential the team has. If people have preconceived notions about the team, fewer girls will try out, and as Robbins said, “stereotypes are pretty much always wrong.”

Not only are the stereotypes wrong, but Coach Barefoot also gives every girl on her team a shot at wrestling in varsity meets. Varsity positions aren’t decided, they are fought for in practice matches so everyone has a chance throughout the season to experience a varsity match. 

“We are always looking for fans and support, it means so much to me but a million times more to the girls,” Barefoot said. The wrestling community is growing and the team is extremely welcoming.

If you are wanting to attend a match, consider the first Varsity Tournament on Dec. 14, at 9:30 a.m. at the Mid America Center, against Lewis Central, a varsity dual against Westside at Westside High School on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. or a multi-school varsity tournament at Skutt Catholic starting at 9 a.m. on Dec. 21.