The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Board of Directors has approved the move to two classes for the 2024-2025 girls wrestling season.
The largest 64 schools will be in Class 2A and the remaining schools will be in Class 1A. The top 16 qualifiers from each weight class will compete at the state tournament, which will remain a two-day event at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Separate sessions will be held for each class on Thursday, February 6, and the championships will be in a combined session on Friday, February 7. Eight regional qualifying sites will be hosted by schools in both classes on Friday, January 31.
IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich says that the rapid rise of participants in girls wrestling has exceeded expectations, and that adding a second class will encourage more schools to add girls wrestling programs.
The IGHSAU began sponsoring girls wrestling in 2022 and had since been a one-class sport. In 2023-2024, 204 schools sponsored a girls wrestling program, and 61 schools were listed in cooperative sharing agreements.