[blanknoone]

The on the same mat structure of the headline is absolutely stupid. No one, to the best of my knowledge, is saying that girls wrestling girls and boys wrestling boys have to do it on different mats. The issue is not the same mat, the issue is should girls and boys be wrestling each other. That awkward structure was chosen to spin the issue...begging for that 'of course they should be allowed to wrestle on the same mat' response.

From semi personal experience, I say no. I was far to big, but one of my good friends had to face a girl. He was 123 at the time I believe. He agonized over it for several days...very seriously considered throwing it. He eventually decided to just go and do his best like any other opponent. He pinned her at about 45 seconds. She then accused him of 'inappropriate touching' with claims he was fondling her. I felt so sorry for him.

[BOOTSTICK]

Maybe he handled it wrong?. After pinning her he should have at least attempted to kiss her on the cheek, in a conciliatory way. Then pounded both fists air ward in victory!

[Steelerfan]

My semi personal experience was similar. I was wrestling in junior high when a guy on my team was scheduled to go up against a girl. He ended up forfeiting, didn't hear the end of it and ended up quitting. You can argue that everyone involved should have been more mature about it, but these are teenagers we are talking about. Plus, as several posters have pointed out, in our litigation crazy society this just seems to be asking for trouble. Let them develop girls teams for girls who want to wrestle and maybe we can get enough interest in the sport to get in back on the major college radar (since no one seems willing get rid of Title IX).