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Washington girls may wrestle as huskies this season
Demons poised to compete under Highland’s banner for lack of a coach
WASHINGTON — The Washington girls wrestling team looks likely to compete under Highland’s banner this year, as the larger district struggles to find coaching staff to replace former wrestling coach (and activities director) Brent Van Weelden.
Washington school board members voted unanimously in favor of the change at a meeting Wednesday night.
Washington Superintendent Willie Stone said students had discussed the possibility of partnering with WACO or Highland this year, before settling on the latter.
“I don’t know if they’re excited, but they think Highland is the better option,” Stone said. “With November coming very quickly, wrestling starts here very quickly, so we wanted to make sure we approved it … so our girls can start going up there as soon as practice starts.”
Stone said the district would not provide transportation for the students to or from Highland, following the same model as Washington’s swim team, which competes under West High’s program in Iowa City.
In an email, Highland Superintendent Ken Crawford said his district’s board would vote on the agreement at their next meeting, either a tentatively planned special meeting Oct. 23, or its regular meeting Nov. 13. The Iowa High School Athletic Association Calendar lists Nov. 27 as the first wrestling competition date of the year.
Highland Wrestling Coach Nick Cole said the schools had already run a program-sharing form by the state, which has signed off on the arrangement. Under that agreement, Washington would pay for its students’ entry fees, but anyone who qualifies for the state tournament would be Highland’s responsibility.
Cole said he hoped to see the arrangement approved.
“We went back and forth a little bit … and we decided, 'Yeah we'll take them,’” he said in a phone call Friday. “I didn't want to not let the girls wrestle if they want to wrestle. Our job is to grow the women's side of the sport.”
Andy Krutsinger contributed to this report.
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
