After girls’ wrestling was sanctioned in 2022, the sport has now grown tremendously. Between 1994 to 2025, the sport grew from 804 participants to over 74,000. For the Pleasant Valley girls wrestling team, the growth in participating athletes has been evident, and they have had an amazing season. Despite their success, the team has received limited support at meets.
Women’s sports have struggled to receive the same support as men, and wrestling is a prime example of this. For women’s professional and collegiate sports, three out of ten individuals follow and support them, which is lower than half of fans for men’s professional and collegiate sports.
The mat is an intense place, and the crowd should reflect that, but for Pleasant Valley girls wrestling that is not always the case. The team has been discouraged about the lack of student support they have received compared to the boys this season.
Senior Abigail Meyrer, captain of the wrestling team, noticed the difference in support between the girls team and the boys team. “This season, I feel like our support has been lacking. The only support we really had was at our home meet, but most people didn’t start coming in until towards the end of our dual and right before the boys,” shared Meyrer.
Supporting athletes helps amplify the energy for the entire team. Cheering, clapping and being present will make a significant impact for the athletes.
Girls wrestling has grown each year and will continue to do so in years to follow. Tom Isaacson, the head coach for the PV girls wrestling team, hopes this will manifest in parallely the fanbase. “I believe in the wrestling community and that if we all work together, we will have more success. I encourage all my wrestlers and their parents to attend and cheer on the boys because I do believe we are a community,” said Isaacson. “Girls wrestling is still in the beginning stages. As we continue to grow and get better, our fan base will as well.”
The lack of support for the girls wrestling team this year was disheartening. Girls’ sports deserve equal love and attention from fans and followers of the sport and school.
This difference was especially evident at the Bettendorf dual, where the PV girls received far less attention compared to the boys. Bettendorfs’ crowd was roaring and both stands were packed due to the intense rivalry. “Bettendorf girls had so much cheering for them which got them fired up and we had little to none,” she said. “Comparing that to the boys’ part, within the first minute of the first boys match, the PV side went crazy for the boys even when the supporters in the stands were there for us too.”
For the Pleasant Valley boys wrestling team, the support they experienced from fans at the Bettendorf dual helped their energy and drive to persevere throughout the meet.
Isaacson recognized that the fans help tremendously at meets when getting athletes to keep competing at the level needed to win. “We had a huge fan base at the Bettendorf dual, and the fans were really engaged during the boys dual, drowning out the Bettendorf fans, which was a benefit to the boys,” shared Isaacson. “I would have loved to see the same intensity level during the girls’ dual.”
Meyrer felt the girls did well that night even without the loud crowd, but acknowledged the support should have been better, “Even though we are a newer team and we’re still growing doesn’t mean we don’t see those small little gestures,” she said. “When we do get support, we appreciate it more than you would think. When we don’t, we also notice it and it beats us down and makes us wonder ‘why don’t people come watch us or cheer for us?’”
While wrestling season is coming to an end for this season, Isaacson and the team hopes to see more faces in the crowd.
Isaacson hopes to encourage female athletes to come out for the sport and to bring awareness to the ever growing community. “The foundation has been laid, and it is time to start laying the bricks to build a solid program that other schools envy. This starts with our student athletes. Come try it out,” he shared.
The stands make an impact for all wrestlers. Athletes take notice when supporters show up, so be the person that shows up and makes the gym the loudest place. Showing up for everyone matters.
