Two Pella High School wrestlers have seen the growth of the boys program in recent years, and hope to see a similar pattern now that girls wrestling will be sanctioned in Iowa.

Elizabeth Thomas and Jasey Olson were both participants at this past weekend’s Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Girls State Wrestling Tournament in Coralville, and were on hand for the announcement that the sport will be overseen by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union in 2022-23 and beyond.

“I’m looking forward to having more chances to wrestle more girls, because right now, when we go to duals, we maybe have one match, so it will be nice to have more chances in one day and to get more matches in,” Thomas says.

“As junior, I’m excited, because that means for my senior year we’ll have a lot more opportunities and we’ll get to go to more places and have all-girl meets.”

Both intend to recruit Pella and Pella Christian girls athletes interested and aim to be mentors to those who may end up joining the official team next winter.

“I’m hoping that it brings out more girls both at Pella and in surrounding districts, because a lot of girls were super nervous when we talked to them about why they wouldn’t want to do wrestling, but they saw us go out there and how state is a big thing,” Olson says.

Hear more about the growth of girls wrestling at Pella High School on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.