The Carson City School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to recognize girls’ wrestling as a fully school-sponsored sport, a move that secures the team’s eligibility to compete for state titles in their own division.
The decision aligns the district with the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA), which sanctioned girls’ wrestling as a statewide sport for 2025. Without the board’s approval, female wrestlers at Carson High School would have been forced to compete in boys’ brackets for the post-season.
“Taking away that opportunity means they would only be able to compete against boys,” Athletic Director Thomas Reymer told the trustees. “I imagine some of these girls would continue to compete in wrestling just for the love of the sport, so we’re asking for the sanctioning for them to be recognized.”
Participation in the sport has surged at Carson High School. Operating under the boys’ team umbrella since 2017, the program has grown from a single female wrestler to 12 athletes this season. Reymer noted the team’s success, stating that 10 athletes qualified for regionals this year, with one qualifying for state and another serving as an alternate.
“In 2025 the NIAA… approved them to be a state sanctioned organization,” Reymer said.
The designation ensures the team receives equitable resources, including coaching stipends and budget allowances for uniforms and equipment.
During the meeting, trustees asked how the new designation would affect daily operations, particularly regarding facilities shared with the boys’ team.
“Right now we do practice with the boys,” Coach Samantha Samso said. “But during like winter break and stuff we separate our own practices… so there’s no really issue with it.”
Trustee Richard Varner questioned if there was a requirement for a minimum number of athletes to maintain the team. Reymer clarified that while a team can technically consist of a single wrestler, higher numbers are necessary to fill weight classes for scoring at regional and state levels.
“You can have one,” Reymer said. “But when we get to the weight classes it’s going to matter.”
The board voted unanimously to approve the change.
