High school wrestling has long been a cornerstone of American athletics, celebrated for its emphasis on discipline, toughness, and tradition. While it was once a powerhouse sport during the mid 20th century, participation has decreased significantly in recent decades, sparking questions as to the cause and what can be done to rejuvenate the sport.
The mid-20th century was the peak in high school wrestling’s popularity, it can be referred to as somewhat of a “golden age,” where widespread participation and growing visibility through state and national tournaments took place. Wrestling became most popular in areas like Iowa, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and our home state of New Jersey. Today, these areas still have the highest rates of participation in wrestling and produce some of the highest-level American wrestlers.
Beginning in the 1990s and continuing into the early 2000s, high school wrestling faced many challenges that led to a decline in participation. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), involvement in boys’ wrestling fell from 273,732 members in 2010-2011 to 231,874 in 2021-2022. This can be attributed to many factors. For instance, the emergence of other high school sports like soccer, which saw an 85% increase in participation between 1990 and 2020 (NFHS), may have taken eyes off the mat and onto the turf. Financial challenges also contribute to the decline of wrestling, as it is not a major profit generator like football programs.
Despite its challenges, wrestling continues to maintain strongholds in certain regions, like the aforementioned Pennsylvania, which leads the nation with approximately 21,000 wrestling participants in 2022, according to the NFHS. A significant development in recent years has been the rapid growth of girls’ wrestling. In 2022, over 31,000 female athletes participated in high school wrestling, compared to fewer than 5,000 in 2005. Middletown High School South even produced a women’s champion in the 2023-2024 season where, now senior, Thea Rowland took the state title for the girls 145 lb division.
Wrestling’s decline in participation is concerning for the sport, but it can be saved. How can we support it here at MiddSouth? Our wrestling program has produced numerous state champs. With such a rich history in our community, it is only fitting that the student body supports it. If you are a fan of martial arts or the ultra-popular MMA, try coming to a wrestling meet. After all, it is a combat sport. If you are a student, male or female, looking to prove yourself as a committed, strong, or persevering young adult on or off the mat, give wrestling a try as it provides a highly competitive environment where you could thrive. If a friend or family member is a wrestler here, show out and support them. As a student body, we could introduce the concept of a “nation” to wrestling, bolstering the appeal of attending a meet. The Middletown High School South wrestling program is soon entering its 2024-2025 season,with Coach Matt Rosner heading the team. We are sure to produce a multitude of high-skill and explosive athletes that will not only be entertaining to watch but inspiring as well.