Highland establishes girls wrestling program

by Dan Holland

With the Ohio High School Athletic Association sanctioning girls wrestling as a varsity sport beginning in the 2022-23 school year, a number of Ohio high schools are now adding it to their list of athletic offerings. It has become the nation’s fastest-growing high school sport, according to new Highland High School girls’ head wrestling coach Aaron Boucher.

“We recognized with the growth and popularity of girls wrestling against girls at the high-school level, that this is the fastest-growing high school sport in the United States right now, because they haven’t had that opportunity in the past,” said Boucher. “Now that girls’ wresting has been sanctioned by the OHSAA as a varsity sport within the last two years, more and more programs are including this as part of what they’re offering the community.

“In working with [Highland boys’ head wrestling coach] David Habat and the rest of our coaching staff, we decided that this is something we want to accomplish as well.”

Boucher has worked as an assistant wrestling coach for 20 years at a number of area high schools, including Brunswick, Holy Name and Highland. His oldest son wrestled at Highland, and his youngest daughter is on the new team. Jackie Gresock is his assistant coach.

Boucher said he felt the time was right to take the helm of the budding program at Highland. So far, 16 girls – all first-year wrestlers – have signed up.

“I’ve had a lot of fun coaching the boys, but I’m really excited about the opportunity to try to establish something brand new as well,” said Boucher. “This is something being done very much in coordination with Coach [Dave] Habat and the rest of our wrestling community.”

Above all, Boucher said he would like to establish a culture similar to the one that exists within the boys’ wrestling program.

“My expectations are that we’re going to focus on teaching skills, and I’m going to try to create a culture where the girls are learning new skills, having fun doing it and falling in love with the sport of wrestling,” he said. “If we happen to have success in terms of some wins along the way and state qualifications and tournament placements, that’s all gravy for year one.”

The team consists mainly of freshmen and sophomores, something Boucher hopes he can build on in the coming years.

“I’d love to have that core complete their high school career and graduate through the program as we work on building up numbers at the [elementary] and middle-school levels as well,” said Boucher. “We have some tough girls, and they’re putting the time and work in this summer, and I have confidence that they will compete and do well. I just want them to compete at the best of their ability, enjoy the sport and come back next year.”

Boucher said he felt a need to give back to a sport that he has so much love for. “It’s about following your passion and feeling like you’ve got some knowledge to pass along to the next generation,” he said. “I had a lot of coaches during my youth who invested heavily in me, and it helped shape who I am and my love for the sport. Now, I’m just trying to give back.” ∞