The Greene County Schools activity calendar for 2026-27 will include girls wrestling for middle and high school students.
Eight middle school girls are wrestling this season with four meets scheduled. However, the program must be officially approved by the board before a full season can be scheduled. That approval came at the Jan. 14 board meeting.
Activities director Dave Wright presented information on girls wrestling at the December board meeting.
The decision was based in large part on the results of a survey Wright did of girls in grades 6-11 to gauge interest in the sport. The survey showed enough interest to field teams at the middle school and high school levels. Many respondents said they’d wrestle if the program were hosted by Greene County. Significantly fewer said they would be interested in wrestling in another school’s program via a sharing agreement.
Also, there are many girls in the Jefferson park and recreation department’s youth wrestling program, leading the board to believe girls wrestling is sustainable.
Busses, coaches, and safety items come from the general fund. The cost of coaches – a head coach and assistant coach at each level, four total – would be $21,673 including benefits. Transportation would be needed for seven or eight middle school meets and 12 or 13 high school meets. Some of the high school girls meets could be combined with boys meets to reduce costs.
Uniforms, officials, tournament fees and any other expenses come from the activities fund. The Greene County Activities Booster Club has already purchased girls singlets.
Middle school girls would be able to play basketball and wrestle. The girls basketball season would end before the winter break and the wrestling season would begin after the break.
The high school girls season would be concurrent with the boys season. Girls, like boys, would need to choose between basketball and wrestling.
The board approved the purchase of environmental controls and other equipment to make the high school greenhouse usable. The frame, including columns, trusses, and roof purlins on the greenhouse will be reused. Cost of the project, including greenhouse materials and equipment, a controller upgrade, and installation is $63,000. Vendor is Stuppy Greenhouse of Kansas City, MO. The Max Johnson trust is contributing $40,000 of the cost and FFA chapter funds will cover the remainder.
