SOLON — The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) officially sanctioned wrestling for the 2022-23 school year back in January, making the sport the 11th to be recognized by the organization. IGHSAU Executive Director Jean Berger said in a press release, “We think there’s a great foundation in place for the success of this sport and we intend to fully support these Iowa Girls as they continue their pursuit of championships.”
In Solon the foundation was laid in 2020 when a dozen girls started wrestling at the high school level.
Last year their ranks grew to 14. This year, Coach Jake Munson said the numbers have increased again with 19. “We also have an established middle school girls wrestling program (that will start after Winter Break) and a thriving youth program with 40+ K-8 Solon girls taking to the mat each week,” Munson said. Munson, a Solon Alum, has 15 years of coaching experience with 12 on the boys’ side of the wrestling program before becoming head coach for the girls in 2020.
Kaitlin Hatcher, a 2016 Solon grad, is in her second year as a fulltime assistant coach and is involved with girls wrestling at the state level. T.J. Bevans, former boys coach, and Andy Gnida, an assistant coach for the boys and former Hawkeye wrestler, are volunteer assistants splitting their time between programs this season.
Six letter winners are back in the Lady Spartans’ line-up: sophomore Kara VeDepo (105/110lbs.), junior Morgan Rogers (120/125), junior Addy Gerdes (125/130), sophomore Olivia Bonnema (130/135), senior Eleanor Gnida (135/140), and senior Addison Burden (145). Gnida and Burden are two-year letter winners.
Newcomers include freshman McKenna Rogers (100/105), junior Kate Richards (110/115), freshman Alannah Mahoney (115/120), freshman Abby Gregory (115/120), senior Mikayla Langenberg (125/130), sophomore Ella Sheeley (125/130), freshman Alexis Anderson (125/130), junior Meg Düster (130/135), freshman Bailey Madura (135/140), freshman Audrey Howell (145/155), junior Kendall Jensen (155/170), sophomore Lily Warnock (170/190), and freshman Adlie Miller (190/235).
“We have 11 of 19 girls entering this year having competed in one or more seasons of wrestling,” Munson said. “Our new-to-wrestling girls have been quick to pick up on technique and are working hard as well. It has been a great practice environment these first few weeks.”
Like Solon, schools across the WaMaC conference have been actively growing their girls’ programs. “Every WaMaC school will field a girls wrestling team this year, many with twelve or more girls within their program,” said Munson. “There will be some excellent wrestling on our Thursday night WaMaC duals this upcoming season.” In addition, all WaMaC schools have committed to running a junior high season starting in January.
There are three home meets scheduled this season with the first a varsity double dual Thursday, Jan. 5. The Lady Spartans will host a varsity tournament Monday, Jan. 16, and a dual meet on Thursday, Jan. 19.
“We are so proud of the girls who’ve committed to being part of this team during this historic season in Iowa Girls Wrestling,” said Munson. “The girls are pioneers for the sport and are champions of women’s athletics. We encourage the community to come out and support our girls and cheer them on as they compete.”