Wrestling is known for its powerful personalities, cool moves, and dramatic stories. The question now is, should wrestling have cheerleaders? Cheerleaders are common in sports like football and basketball. They help pump up the crowd and add to the excitement. However, there is a possibility that cheerleaders might distract from the wrestling itself.
The thought is there should be more attention on the matches and the athletes rather not on the extra entertainment.
Wrestling tournaments are about the players and how well they can win each match.
Some people think cheerleaders would take away this satisfaction. Junior, Grayce Trimble said, “I feel like sports where there are cheerleaders, there is so much going on, and I feel like the crowds are already cheering, whereas wrestling is focused on the player and would take away the attention towards the player.”
This is definitely a possibility as most of the people there are usually to support their family or teammates. Sophomore Brady Waddell said, “I think if cheerleaders were to cheer at wrestling meets it would be too much action going on for one area, as well as wrestling is such a critique sport it would be hard to pay attention to one person.”
Since he is a former wrestler, he speaks from experience.
Lastly, Junior Lily Schad said, “I personally think people go to wrestling tournaments to watch their kids or friends, instead of going to watch cheerleaders. I feel if cheerleaders were there performing it would also distract the wrestler themselves.”
A positive aspect of cheerleaders at a wrestling tournament is that cheerleaders can help boost the atmosphere by encouraging and motivating the wrestlers. They might also help with crowd engagements and provide entertainment during breaks.
Negative aspects of cheerleaders are if they are too loud or disruptive, it could interfere with the focus of the wrestlers or the tournament’s flow. Wrestling matches often require concentration and quiet, especially during crucial moments.
Usually, you don’t see cheerleaders at any wrestling match in South Dakota. But that is unlikely with every state. Minnesota is a big state that involves a lot.
There is likely under 10% of wrestling teams with cheerleaders in the United States that is lowest for the average wrestling team with cheerleaders. This number is very low and might not grow depending on where you live at and what regulations people follow.
Cheerleading isn’t a standard tradition for wrestling. There are times where occasional presences are shown at larger events like state championships or dual meets. Cheerleading supports multiple sports, especially sports like basketball during the winter, so there might not be enough kids who go out for cheerleading, to support multiple sports.
Sideline wrestling cheerleaders often use no pom poms and clap their hands on the wrestling mats, making a “boom” sound. Lots of times wrestling matches require a quiet environment so that athletes can focus during their match. However, on the opposite side cheers can help send of community and get excitement going throughout the stands.
Unlike other sports, cheerleading is not formally integrated into the structure of most wrestling competitions. While they aren’t used here in so far high school, cheerleaders are used during NCAA Wrestling Championships or higher tournaments.