I think Wrestling Regions may be different than Basketball and Baseball, but it seems like the Bowling Green area schools in the 4th region have decided to adopt wrestling as a high school sport and a lot of schools in the SOKY area are finally beginning this process in some measure and degree. What does this mean in the state as a whole? How do you start a program from scratch? Will they compete Varsity or just have scrimmages with each other?

On 10/3/2025 at 10:47 AM, AppalachianTactician said:

I think Wrestling Regions may be different than Basketball and Baseball, but it seems like the Bowling Green area schools in the 4th region have decided to adopt wrestling as a high school sport and a lot of schools in the SOKY area are finally beginning this process in some measure and degree. What does this mean in the state as a whole? How do you start a program from scratch? Will they compete Varsity or just have scrimmages with each other?

Most new teams just dive in. JV wrestling in the state for the most part doesn't exist. The goal would be to get your guys and gals as much mat time as possible, and not shying away from competition. Wrestling growth is good for the state, and more teams means more options for competition for everyone.

The bowling green schools fall into region 2 for wrestling. This extends up to Nelson Co. Region Realignment is coming soon for wrestling. 

On 10/3/2025 at 10:47 AM, AppalachianTactician said:

I think Wrestling Regions may be different than Basketball and Baseball, but it seems like the Bowling Green area schools in the 4th region have decided to adopt wrestling as a high school sport and a lot of schools in the SOKY area are finally beginning this process in some measure and degree. What does this mean in the state as a whole? How do you start a program from scratch? Will they compete Varsity or just have scrimmages with each other?

Starting a wrestling program is much different than starting a football or basketball program.  You typically start a program at the youth of MS level first, then work it up to the high school level from there so by the time the MS kids are in HS, they have a few years under their belt.  Regardless, you jump right into varsity competition year one.  A coach might try to pick and choose his spots carefully depending on what he has in the program, but it's varsity competition none-the-less.  I've started two high school wrestling programs in Kentucky from scratch and the hardest part is simply recruiting kids to come out for the team and sticking with it.  If any of those schools can have one or two kids have some early success, it definitely helps drum up interest from other kids who might be willing to give it a shot the next year.  As far as SOKY teams, I haven't seen any BG area teams at any meets this year, but we're traveling down to Greenwood for a dual tournament this Saturday, so we'll finally get to see at least one.  I anticipate most of the teams in the area will be there, but we'll see.