Isaiah Sweeney
May 14, 2025
Big changes are on the horizon for girls wrestling in New Jersey.
The NJSIAA has approved a significant expansion to the postseason structure, increasing the number of district tournaments to 12 and regional tournaments to four — all leading into a 16-wrestler state tournament bracket at each weight class. The move is aimed at creating more competitive balance and giving more athletes the chance to battle their way to Atlantic City.
The 2026 state championships will also shift dates, now scheduled for March 12–14 to avoid a scheduling conflict with the MAAC men’s basketball tournament, which shares the venue at Boardwalk Hall.
And in an effort to maintain fairness throughout the season, the NJSIAA is cracking down on inaccurate data entry. Wrestling coaches who incorrectly report wrestler weights into TrackWrestling will now face suspensions and fines. It’s a move that reinforces the importance of integrity and accurate records heading into the postseason.
Expect more details to roll out during the 2025-26 preseason — but for now, it’s clear New Jersey is taking major steps forward for the future of girls wrestling.