Girls wrestling is emerging throughout the country and right here at home, as well.

Seymour is sending six girls to compete in the IHSGW State Tournament, starting with regional competition this morning at West Washington High School.

Owls head coach Dan Rasey spoke about the competition, which starts at 9 a.m.

“All six of the girls we have going into the meet got relatively good draws,” Rasey said. “We took some early losses this season adjusting to high school wrestling, facing a couple seniors and upperclassmen that had a lot more experience than we did.”

Isabella Doyle, AnnMarie Shuler, Greydis Chub, Ana Rodriguez, Kayla Martinez and Megan Stout will all compete for Seymour. Kelsie Napier and Mareli Hernandez will not compete, as they are dealing with injuries.

The coach expects the Owls to do well.

“There’s nothing we can’t overcome on Saturday if we come off the bus ready to wrestle,” he said. “I fully expect all six to get to Mooresville for semistate next Friday.”

Shuler and Doyle have led the girls team throughout the season with Shuler already competing at state last season, but for Doyle, this is her first season on the mat.

Doyle placed second in the Jeffersonville Invitational a few weeks back.

Rasey spoke on expectations for the both of them in this postseason.

“Isabella at 100 has a really good shot of placing this year. Having looked at some of the other brackets, she should come out pretty high at regional and semistate,” Rasey said. “Then we take our shots at state. AnnMarie is a returning state qualifier, so we expect the same outcomes and high level of wrestling from her. Once we get to Kokomo for state, anything can happen.”

Shuler was asked about her previous success and how it has translated to this season.

“It’s making me want to grow the team more, and it’s fueling me to try and place at state this season, rather than just qualify,” she said. “I’m also excited for the first semistate competition since they added that this season.”

Shuler has been wrestling for six years, beginning in fifth grade. She was asked what drew her to the sport all the way back then.

“My brother told me it would be cool since I played football at the time, as well, so I decided to try it out,” she said. “I’ve met some great people through it, and I’m glad I decided to stick with it.”

Shuler also was asked the difference between wrestling before the emergence of the girls sport and now, where the sport has grown.

“There’s definitely a difference. We used to have to drive three hours to find tournaments with all girls,” she said. “Now, I have a lot more competition against girls.”

Doyle is in her first season of wrestling.

“I think it has gone pretty well, especially for my first year, not having any sort of background in the sport,” Doyle said. “I’ve done some boxing in the past, but that’s all.”

The freshman was asked about her first regional competition and what she expects on the mat.

“I think I have a good chance of competing at a high level and placing,” she said. “After placing second at Jeffersonville, I started focusing on the mental aspect of wrestling and getting into that different mindset when I step on the mat. I allowed myself to push it to the limit and went all the way to get into that finals match. It helped me in many ways, and I’m excited to compete in the event.”

Doyle spoke about being part of the wave of popularity in girls wrestling in Indiana and all of the other girls who are now competing in the sport.

“I think it’s awesome, and I’m excited to be part of it and see it grow,” she said. “I’m looking forward to my senior season and seeing the growth and amount of girls competing around the state.”

Rasey also spoke about the growth of the sport throughout Indiana.

“There’s still a lot of room for growth in the state,” he said. “But it’s defintely been nice to see the amount of effort that schools across the state have been putting in. It allows more opportunities for all of these girls to wrestle and much easier to find tournaments. It’s pleasant to see how far all of this is going.”

West Washington girls wrestling regional

Today

Regional seedings:

100: Isabella Doyle, 9-6, first

110: AnnMarie Shuler, 13-1, first

115: Ana Rodriguez, 9-12, fifth

120: Kayla Martinez, 5-11, fourth

125: Megan Stout, 2-11, third

145: Greydis Chub, 6-8, second

Matchups:

100: Isabella Doyle

Round 1: Maya Bullock, Madison vs. Tienica Dits, Columbus East

Round 2: Isabella Doyle, Seymour vs. Tienica Dits, Columbus East

Round 3: Isabella Doyle, Seymour vs. Maya Bullock, Madison

110: AnnMarie Shuler

Round 1: AnnMarie Shuler, Seymour vs. Addie Otte, Jennings County

Round 2: AnnMarie Shuler, Seymour vs. Avy Burkholder or Damiyana Padgett

115: Ana Rodriguez

Round 1: Ana Rodriguez, Seymour vs. Jo Eimes, Jeffersonville

Round 2: Ana Rodriguez, Seymour vs. Brookellen Prosser or Sasha Hicks

120: Kayla Martinez

Round 1: Kayla Martinez, Seymour vs. Tarajee Diaz, Jeffersonville

125: Megan Stout

Round 1: Abigail Lemon, Jeffersonville vs. Megan Stout, Seymour

Round 2: Megan Stout, Seymour vs. Serenity Sims, Switzerland County

145: Greydis Chub

Round 1: Greydis Chub, Seymour received a bye

Round 2: Greydis Chub, Seymour vs. Elle Strother or Maleah Wolf