Due to the increase in popularity of girls’ wrestling, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced in January 2025 that they will make women’s wrestling its 91st championship sport in 2026. This addition has come with the rise in interest from high school and collegiate programs across the United States. The National Federation of State High School Associations reported a 15% increase in the past year in participation in girls’ wrestling programs.
The growing popularity of girls’ wrestling is present at San Marin. When wrestling coach and Health teacher Cory Boyd took over the wrestling program three seasons ago only three girls were wrestling. During the 2025-2026 season, the San Marin Girls Wrestling team had 13 members.
With the increase in female participation, there have been more chances for the team to win more achievements. Junior Catania DeKeyrel and senior Derilm Rodas Mazariegos attended the Napa Valley Girls Classic, which is a major, state-wide meet. DeKeyrel placed second in her weight class, and Rodas Mazariegos made it to five rounds, one win short of a medal in the tournament.
The girls wrestling team has been able to place in many tournaments and duals and has also created a welcoming environment. Junior Brooke Bested joined wrestling in her sophomore year and has had a positive experience.
“The team’s always very positive,” Bested said. “The coaches are very helpful.”
Junior Jada Bruce-Badberg also joined wrestling in her sophomore year, and she shared similar views to Bested about the girls’ wrestling team.
“It’s an accepting environment,” Bruce-Badberg said. “Everyone’s super nice and close with each other.”
Even with the amount San Marin Girls Wrestling has accomplished over the past few years, there are still obstacles in their path. Girls wrestling is not recognized by the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) for championships. Since they are not recognized by MCALs the girls’ scores that they earn from matches do not count toward their school’s overall points for co-ed wrestling. San Marin has approached this with more encouragement and pressure to get girls to count towards points. Representatives from the wrestling team have attended girls’ meets outside of Marin County, and have helped lead discussions with MCALs to work towards securing a girls’ wrestling championship.
Additionally, San Marin is home to one of the biggest girls’ wrestling teams in Marin County. Because of this, the options are limited for who the teams can go against in a match.
Junior Catania DeKeyrel has been a member of Mustang wrestling since her freshman year and has noticed the lack of overall respect towards girls sports.
“The struggle for respect and equality is still very prominent,” DeKeyrel said.
Even with the inadequate amount of respect felt among the girls, they have been able to prove their strengths in numerous ways. From placing in challenging tournaments to fighting for equality within their sport, San Marin Girls Wrestling has expanded its boundaries, both within the team and outside.
