The Rise of Women’s Wrestling at William Jewell College

LIBERTY, Mo. — Wrestling may be a challenging sport, as evidenced by the cut on the bridge of Jada Hernandez’s nose.

“I love wearing dresses and going out,” said Hernandez, a 124-pound wrestler for William Jewell College. “None of that has changed for me. I continue to adore this sport, but I have a fondness for sparkles too, so I find a balance between the two.”

A Growing Sport for Girls and Women

Women’s wrestling is gaining momentum and becoming increasingly popular. According to the National Federation of High Schools, it is the fastest-growing high school sport for girls across the United States and is among the top-growing women’s college sports. However, not too long ago, the sport was largely overlooked.

Desiree Ramos, the head women’s wrestling coach at William Jewell College, shared her experience: “Growing up, I watched Iowa State legend Cael Sanderson and the Iowa team. I admired them, but I never imagined that girls could wrestle at these schools or have coaches like those.”

Ramos, whose father was also a wrestling coach, leads the women’s wrestling team at NCAA Division II William Jewell College, which launched its program in 2021. The Cardinals join a network of over 80 NCAA women’s wrestling programs, part of a larger total of around 150 women’s college wrestling teams across all divisions.

Encouraging Participation and Confidence

Hernandez encourages others to embrace women’s wrestling. “It’s for everyone. For parents wondering if their daughters should join, I highly recommend it,” she stated. “Wrestling boosts confidence and supports personal growth in numerous ways.”

She emphasized that the sport has not only made her a more dedicated student, but it has also instilled a strong work ethic and taught her how to set and reach goals.

Hernandez earned the Washington Girls 1B/2B/1A/2A 120-pound wrestling state title, finishing her senior year with a record of 47-3. Her parents play a significant role in the grassroots wrestling community in Washington.

Chris Morrison/KSHB

“Both my parents are women’s wrestling coaches in my hometown (Warden, Washington), and they helped pioneer women’s wrestling in the state. Winning state felt like a full-circle moment for us,” Hernandez shared.

A Bright Future for Women’s Wrestling

Hernandez’s achievements have attracted the attention of Ramos, who graduated high school in 2011 at a time when girls often had to compete against boys.

“It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come,” Ramos said. “There are now full girls’ teams, which weren’t available before. Back then, we just enjoyed wrestling and aimed to go as far as we could, often competing against boys.”

Courtesy William Jewell College

Women’s wrestling is poised to become the 91st championship sport at the NCAA Convention next month in Nashville, with the first NCAA Women’s Wrestling National Championship expected to take place in 2026.

According to Hernandez, this development is crucial for the sport’s growth. “This will encourage more competitiveness in wrestling. A new, exciting goal—shinier medals—is what everyone will be striving for,” she added.

The growing interest in women’s wrestling aligns with a broader trend of increasing enthusiasm for women’s sports, seen in leagues like the WNBA and NWSL.

“It inspires me and gives hope for the future,” Hernandez expressed. “If I have a daughter one day, I’ll know she can pursue whatever she desires.”