Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills is a part of the recent wave of girls’ wrestling in Pennsylvania, writes Emily Goulet for Philadelphia Magazine.
As of the 2023-’24 season, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) has sanctioned girls’ wrestling, heralding a significant shift towards gender equality in sports.
This milestone is part of a national trend, with the number of states recognizing girls’ wrestling skyrocketing from six in the 2017-’18 season to forty-four.
Among the trailblazers is Anya Abel, a standout wrestler at Pennsbury High, who exemplifies the determination and skill of young women breaking barriers.
The participation of girls in high-school wrestling has seen a remarkable rise, from just 112 in 1990 to 49,127 last season, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
This increase is notable, even when compared to the 256,466 boys participating.
Read more about the Pennsbury High School’s girls’ wrestling team in Philadelphia Magazine.
Winning the match: The fight to sanction girls wrestling in PA
