Des Moines Public Schools' girls wrestling grows

State of play: The program's biggest growth has come from the middle school level, head coach Kendric Birden tells Axios.

• Birden says about 75 middle school girls participated last season, helping bring the district's combined wrestling participation to 106 athletes.
• The high school program has 45 athletes on its preliminary roster this season, nearly doubling since 2022, when the program started.
• Students come from five high schools and 10 middle schools.

Plus: The program got a donation of exercise equipment from the former Grubb YMCA.

What they're saying: Middle school athletes are now entering high school with more experience, especially after off-season tournaments and camps this year, Birden says.

• "Everybody should be hearing about them on the news because we're about to shock everybody," he says.

What's next: The junior varsity girls have a match Nov. 17 at Carroll.

• Birden is collecting Amazon donations of snacks and equipment to support the girls.