December 3, 2024

Pioneering position: Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest-growing collegiate sports

Wrestling coach Brooke Richards demonstrates a move while members of the women's wrestling team watch. They are in Randolph's new wrestling facility, standing on a giant mat with a WildCat head in the center of it.

Two members of the women's wrestling team practice, with one holding the other in a headlock on the mat. Kylie Brigman ’28 was a sophomore in North Carolina when her school began its first-ever women’s wrestling team. She’s been involved in the sport ever since.

“I like knowing if I put in the hard work, I get good results,” Brigman said. “It’s an escape from reality, to do something I know and love. It’s also helped me become more social.”

Brigman is now a member of Randolph College’s new women’s wrestling team, which started competing this fall.

“The experience so far has been great,” she said. “Everyone loves to ask questions about wrestling, which I’m always willing to answer.”

Brigman isn’t alone in her passion for the sport. The popularity of women’s wrestling at both the high school and collegiate levels has skyrocketed over the last decade.

More than 45 states have sanctioned high school girls’ wrestling as its own event, with its own state championships. Statistics compiled by the National Federation of State High School Associations show that participation grew to 65,257 female wrestlers last year from 31,654 in 2021-22.

In February, the NCAA announced plans to recognize women’s wrestling as a championship sport starting in 2026.

Randolph’s new coach, Brooke Richards, brings a background in both women’s and men’s wrestling at Bluefield State University.

Women's wrestling coach Brooke Richards talks to her team in Randolph's wrestling facility. She's wearing a gray Randolph wrestling T-shirt, standing on the facility's mat, which has a giant WildCat head in the center.

Women’s wrestling coach Brooke Richards speaks to her team during a fall practice.

“Building a program from scratch is hard work but worth it,” said Richards. “I do believe my past coaching experience will help me with this role. I have started a program from scratch before and loved the journey. Getting to bring in your first class is the best feeling. I am excited to be doing that at Randolph.”

Prior to her time at Bluefield, Richards was a graduate assistant at her alma mater, Tiffin University, and also served as the assistant women’s wrestling coach at Adrian College.

Richards, herself a two-time Scholar All-American, has coached 10 national qualifiers, a national champion, two All-Americans, and 11 Scholar All-Americans.

She emphasizes positivity in every aspect of training and team culture and looks for student-athletes with the right combination of ability, personality, and academic performance.

Two members of the women's wrestling team stand head-to-head, about to start a match during practice.

The current team is a diverse group, with athletes from all over the country.

Satori Swanson ’28 came to Randolph from New Hampshire, drawn in by Richards’ leadership and vision.

Her favorite part of wrestling is the individual challenge it presents. On the mat, everything comes down to her—if a mistake is made, it’s hers to own.

Now she’s eager for the journey ahead.

“I can’t wait to see how far we go.”

Stay up-to-date on the team at https://randolphwildcats.com/sports/womens-wrestling and see their full schedule here: https://randolphwildcats.com/sports/womens-wrestling/schedule/2024-25.

Women's wrestling teammates look at each other during their new facility's ribbon cutting event. Both are in yellow T-shirts, with the mat in front of them and people gathering in the distance in front of the building. Members of the women's wrestling team admire their new uniforms in the locker room. Two members of the women's wrestling team stand next to each other, holding hands while about to execute a move. Wrestling coach Brooke Richards shares a laugh with a team member during a recent practice. Women's wrestling coach Brooke Richards demonstrates a technique to her team.