Westfield’s Grand Park will be the site of history this June, as USA Wrestling brings its 14U and 16U Women’s Team Dual championship events to Hamilton County. It’s the first time USA Wrestling will be hosting women’s team dual championships at that age, and approximately 800-1000 female wrestlers from all over are expected to compete.
“It’s a very historic time. Indiana will be hosting wrestling events all over the state,” said Pat Culp, the chair of the Indiana State Wrestling Association (ISWA). “We are on to something phenomenal.”
With interest at the club and school level, great facilities and a robust base of volunteers, Indiana is a head of the game in women’s wrestling. That will be on full display when the 14U and 16U duals come to Westfield, and the sport’s presence will only grow from there. Next year, the 14U and 16U duals will return along with the women’s juniors, which will bring wrestlers aged 17-18 to Grand Park.
Culp, a longtime wrestling administrator who also serves on the USA Wrestling Board of Directors, said that the true birth of youth girls wrestling in Indiana can be traced back to another Hamilton County resident, Gary Myers. An All-American wrestler and a long-time USA Wrestling Greco-Roman standout, Myers is the head coach at Hamilton Heights High School and saw the opportunity to grow wrestling for boys and girls in the state.
Pete Isais, the USA Wrestling Director of National Events who has worked for USAW for 22 years, calls Indiana a top 10 state in both wrestling talent and leadership. Isais explained that the sport was outgrowing its previous venues, and when it requested proposals for this year’s events Grand Park rose to the top among four finalists.
“We had 4-5 venues and ended up deciding on Westfield,” Isais said. “Grand Park is going to serve our ladies well. Everyone is beating the same drum and doing some great things.”
“Grand Park is wonderful,” Culp said. “There are a lot of things to do and it’s easy to get to. We have great schools in the area who step up with equipment and coaching. We appreciate working with Gabe (Amick) and the staff in Hamilton County.”
Since debuting in the Olympics in 2004, women’s wrestling has seen growth explosion, with Isais noting double-digit growth over the last five years. The USA Wrestling Women’s Junior Dual championships brought 46 teams last season and across the nation Isais has documented “great growth at the high school level.”
While Hamilton County has made the investments in tourism, facilities and infrastructure, Indiana has hosted wrestling events and built culture across the state. Brownsburg and Fort Wayne each have large events and the IHSAA championships are historically held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana ranks fifth nationally in the number of USA Wrestling card-holding members and will send five Hoosier natives to the Olympics this summer.
Just eight years ago, 82 high school girls competed in the sport. With the collaboration of leaders across Indiana and the sport of wrestling, now Hamilton County’s Grand Park will be hosting the national stage.
