Broken Arrow Public Schools announced today the creation of the first girls varsity wrestling program in the state and named Oklahoma City University standout Cassidy Jasperson its new head girls wrestling coach.
“At Broken Arrow, we consistently seek new ways to lead and follow our students into the future,” said Executive Director of Athletics Steve Dunn. “We take pride in doing our part to expand girls wrestling here in Oklahoma.”
Participation in girls wrestling has exploded over the past 25 years. Since 1994, the number of girls who wrestle in high school has grown from 800 to more than 16,500. Women’s wrestling became recognized as an Olympic sport in 2004, 53 colleges sponsor a varsity wrestling program and high school athletic associations in 14 states have sanctioned girls wrestling state championships.
This year in Oklahoma, 87 girls wrestled as a part of the predominantly-male OSSAA activity. The state’s athletic association has brought girls wrestling to the forefront of the conversation with Oklahoma coaches and is looking to add a girls division as an exhibition state tournament as early as 2020.
“Broken Arrow is setting the example I hope all schools in Oklahoma follow,” said legendary Oklahoma State University wrestling coach John Smith. “I want to encourage all parents, coaches, student-athletes, and athletic administrators in Oklahoma to join the wave for gender inclusion that is building across our country in the greatest character-building sport there is, wrestling.”
Broken Arrow’s first girls wrestling coach is coming off the heels of an award-winning collegiate career as captain of the OCU women’s wrestling program. Jasperson’s accomplishments include being named a five-time collegiate All-American, winning the bronze medal at the 2017 U.S. Senior Open and finishing third at the inaugural NAIA National Women’s Invitational. She is a graduate of Clear Springs High School in League City, Texas, where she posted a 42-1 record as a senior and won a state championship. In addition to coaching, Jasperson will teach at a Broken Arrow school which will be determined this summer.
“Coach Jasperson is the perfect fit to lead our new program,” said Dunn. “She is a proven technician of the sport, but what stood out the most is her high energy and infectious personality. Our young ladies will greatly benefit from her leadership and experience on the mat.”
The Broken Arrow girls wrestling program will look to fill a schedule comprised of both duals and tournaments beginning with the 2019-2020 season.