By Todd Irvin
The wrestling of girls in recent years has gained momentum in Pennsylvania thanks to the Sanction PA movement. High schools across the country have begun adding programs for girls.
Northern Bedford became the 36th school in the state to add wrestling for girls on April 12th. The Panthers are the second team in District 5 to add girls to wrestling, joining Chestnut Ridge, which became the 24th school to form a program for girls on November 21st. 2021
For Northern Bedford, it was only a natural progression of what he already had.
“A few years ago, Dave and Jen Fouse talked about adding a program for girls to elementary,” North Bedford coach Brian Dachcott said. “They wanted the girls to be more comfortable getting a little more participation. He really took off in Northhorn. Many girls participated.
“As they got older, they continued with sports. As they passed, they competed at higher levels, doing different things in different areas. We had girls who qualified for PJV. We had girls wrestling at the MIHouse state championship, and Jordin Fous won the state championship this year. ”
“I’m more than excited to get it,” he said. said Jordin Faus. “I can’t wait to see how this will develop women’s wrestling in North Bedford. I’ve wanted this since I knew it. Finally getting this team is just a dream. I can’t wait to see it grow and all the girls can see how great this sport is that I have to experience. “
Although it is exciting for those schools that have added teams for girls, the PIAA has not wavered from its decision not to sanction sports until 100 schools add sports. This means that there will be no PIAA postseason until the magic number of 100 is fulfilled.
“I can’t personally imagine that happening while I’m still in high school,” said Fouse. “It used to grow very fast, but I just hope that I will spread the news, gain as many teams as possible and that generations below me will experience this great sport.
“The plan is that he will still be with us in the wrestling room,” said Dutchcot. “They will continue to do what we have been working on for the last few years. The girls in our high school program practice with our younger wrestlers. They compete in the starting lineup.
“Some girls joined our lineup this year and will continue to do so for us. As for the girls ’program, it now gives them that option to be a part of Northern Bedford when wrestling at a tournament or a wrestling event for all the girls.
“We are still working on the aspect of the double meeting. We are still in communication about how we will cope with this situation and how we will have double meetings with other programs for girls throughout Western Pennsylvania. “
Jordin Fous was an important reason why the Panthers added this sport. Fouse scored 14-14 last season with eight cones as a freshman with 126 pounds in the boys’ team, and eight of those victories were against the boys. The other two girls wrestled a combined 14 matches for Northern Bedford.
“My first year, I learned a lot of wrestling guys,” said Fouse. “I did not know how strong he would be. I have a lot of experience up my sleeve and I’m really excited to see how it will be this summer and next season. I am very hungry. I can’t wait for next season to come. “
“Jordin is a pioneer,” said Dutchcot. “She definitely raised the bar. She set the bar very high. I think many freshmen would be very pleased (record 14-14). Many coaches, parents, spectators, and even judges and officials came forward and mentioned her dedication, dedication and mental fortitude in being there and competing against the boys. ”
Shortly after the end of the season, Fouse won the state title with 130 at the MIHouse Girls National Wrestling Championship on March 13 at Central Dauphin High School.
Fouse was 4-0 in the tournament at 130 with two cones, a major decision of 13-2 in the semifinals and a 9-0 big decision over Kyle Husti-Luca in the final. At the same event, Patron Plummer of Chestnut Ridge won his second title in a row.
“That was very important to me.” said Fouse. “It’s been a goal for a long time.”
Fouse has won or qualified for numerous state and national tournaments. As an eighth grade student, she won titles at the Kiston State Championships and the Tulsa National Championships.
“Everything he gets, he works for,” said Dutchcot. “She is definitely one of the hardest workers in the wrestling room.
“He will come to our office, and then he will go to look for other offices. She is looking for other areas of training - not just wrestling, but will work on conditioning and strength training with other groups and other members to get better. She just works all the time. “
Regan Snyder from Northern Bedford finished sixth with 136 in the MiHouse tournament. She was also the runner-up in the girls’ division of the PJV state championship on March 4.
Dutchcot said Fouse, Snyder and any other girl will be allowed to wrestle for the boys ‘program and the girls’ program.
“I talked to coach (Biff) Valizer (Central Mountain) last year, and I was sitting in one of the PS sanctions meetings, and we came up with some ideas,” said Dutchcot.
“It’s just one of those things we’re going to work on together and we’re going to figure it out. That’s one thing I love about the wrestling community. Sit down and figure things out. Things are over. ”