This winter, Southern Lehigh High School debuts its girls’ wrestling team. Prior to this year, girls interested in wrestling had to practice and compete on the high school boys team. However, with more states sanctioning the sport each year, girls’ wrestling has quickly become the fastest growing high school sport in the country, according to the Associated Press. In May 2023, the sport was recognized by the state of Pennsylvania, and shortly after, the Southern Lehigh School Board approved girls’ wrestling as a varsity sport.
In December, the team faces off against other Colonial League teams, including Lehighton and Emmaus who have their own girls’ teams. With their own female divisions, girls will now have the opportunity to individually qualify for the state tournament later in the season.
The team practices under the coaching of Ms. Destiny Lyng, who competed as a wrestler throughout high school and college, winning the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship title in 2022.
“I’m from a state that’s had girls wrestling sanctioned for 20 years, so it’s about time Pennsylvania did this,” Coach Lyng said. “I’m just excited to get the ball rolling, to be a part of growing the sport here.”
Coach Lyng was drawn to the Lehigh Valley to help coach the growing women’s wrestling program at Lehigh University, where she also utilizes the facilities to continue training in her own senior wrestling career.
From the start, Coach Lyng has welcomed both new and experienced wrestlers to the girls team. For some girls, it is their first time wrestling on a high school team, and they are excited to learn more about the sport. On the other hand, the more seasoned wrestlers have ambitious goals for the season.
Junior Mai Graham has her eye on placing in the state tournament, while eighth-grader Emma Bauer, who practices with the team, feels empowered to defy the stereotype that wrestling is solely a boys’ sport.
“I think it’s important for people to realize that girls can be strong and defend themselves,” Bauer said.
In addition, wrestling parents are excited about the new opportunities the team will bring. Wrestling mom Jen Kiprisillis was a part of the process to get the varsity girls’ wrestling team approved by the school board. She and her daughter spoke before the school board, advocating for the new team.
“In the end, we got what we fought for, which is really cool to see. I am really proud to be a Southern Lehigh graduate,” Kiprisillis said. “And I thought that [girl’s wrestling] is the only thing that our school is missing.”
As the only girl on her high school wrestling team, Coach Lyng recognizes how intimidating that can be.
“Not all girls are up to it” she said, “and that’s sad because it kind of pushes people away or makes it harder for some people to then join the sport.”
Coach Lyng looks forward to providing a welcoming space for Southern Lehigh’s young women to try out the sport among other girls with the same interest.
“I think it’s good in the sense that now there’s more of a space for girls to feel comfortable,” she said. “We’re at least trying now, right?”