Wrestling is a leader in providing opportunity for Hispanic/Latino NCAA student-athletes

In celebration of Hispanic American Heritage Month, the NCAA published an article with extensive data concerning Hispanic/Latino student-athletes who participate in NCAA varsity athletics. In a number of the categories included in the report, both women’s wrestling and men’s wrestling were among the leaders in providing opportunity to this important community.

Across the board, NCAA women’s wrestling was a leader in most of the categories researched. In fact, women’s wrestling ranked No. 1 among all women’s sports in six different categories and placed third in another category.

Among the key facts shared is that NCAA women’s wrestling has the highest percentage of total Hispanic/Latino participation with 18.9% of all NCAA women wrestlers having a Hispanic/Latino heritage. The categories in which women’s wrestling is ranked are below.

Sports with the Highest Percentage of Hispanic/Latino Athletes in 2022-23

Women's sports (Percentage of total participation):

1. Wrestling: 18.9%.

2. Water polo: 13.1%.

3. Softball: 10.0%.

4. Soccer: 9.2%.

5. Rifle: 8.6%.

Divisional Breakdown of Hispanic/Latino Participation (2022-23)

Women's sports:

Division I:

1. Wrestling: 33.3%.

2. Softball: 12.1%.

3. Water polo: 12.0%.

Division II:

1. Wrestling: 17.2%.

2. Water polo: 15.1%.

3. Soccer: 10.6%.

Division III:

1. Wrestling: 19.3%.

2. Water polo: 14.5%.

3. Acrobatics and tumbling: 10.9%.

Five-Year Growth Trends in Hispanic/Latino Student-Athlete Participation (2017-18 to 2022-23)

Women's sports:

1. Wrestling: 2,800% increase (from 5 athletes to 145).

2. Ice Hockey: 100% increase (from 25 athletes to 50).

3. Rugby: 70% increase (from 37 athletes to 63).

10-Year Growth Trends in Hispanic/Latino Student-Athlete Participation (2012-13 to 2022-23)

Women's sports:

1. Wrestling: 1,108% increase (from 12 to 145).

2. Rugby: 950% increase (from 6 to 63).

3. Beach volleyball: 370% increase (from 20 to 94).

Sports with the Largest Yearly Percentage Increases in Hispanic/Latino Student-Athlete Participation (2021-22 to 2022-23)

Women's sports:

1. Acrobatics and tumbling: 39.6%.

2. Rugby: 31.3%.

3. Wrestling: 21.8%.

The data also showed that NCAA men’s wrestling is also one of the prominent sports for providing opportunity to Hispanic/Latino student athletes. Men’s wrestling ranked in the top three sports in four different categories. The categories in which men’s wrestling is ranked are below.

Five-Year Growth Trends in Hispanic/Latino Student-Athlete Participation (2017-18 to 2022-23)

Men's sports:

1. Volleyball: 50% increase.

2. Wrestling: 40% increase.

3. Lacrosse: 39% increase.

10-Year Growth Trends in Hispanic/Latino Student-Athlete Participation (2012-13 to 2022-23)

Men's sports:

1. Lacrosse: 188% increase.

2. Wrestling: 115% increase.

3. Volleyball: 95% increase.

Sports with the Highest Percentage of Hispanic/Latino Athletes in 2022-23

Men's sports (Percentage of total participation):

1. Soccer: 15.3%.

2. Volleyball: 10.9%.

3. Wrestling: 9.5%.

4. Water polo: 8.6%.

5. Cross country: 8.3%.

Divisional Breakdown of Hispanic/Latino Participation (2022-23)

Men's sports:

Division I:

1. Soccer: 12.6%.

2. Wrestling: 10.5%.

3. Baseball: 8.6%.

Some of the interesting facts shared by the NCAA in its report included:

• In 2022-23, the number of Hispanic/Latino student-athletes across the NCAA reached 34,526, representing a 70% increase from the 2012-13 academic year.

• In the latest 2023 Division I Graduation Success Rates data, Hispanic/Latino student-athletes continued to excel academically. In the 2023 Four-Cohort Division I Graduation Success Rates, Hispanic/Latino student-athletes came in at 88%, an increase of 24 percentage points from the first year of GSR data in 2002 and 9 percentage points since 2013.

NCAA article: Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating the Impact of Hispanic/Latino Student-Athletes

The NCAA data also is reflected in USA Wrestling demographic information concerning its total membership, which includes athlete members and USA Wrestling Leader members (coaches/officials). This data comes from the USA Wrestling membership system, where Ethnicity, US Military Veteran and Disability are all optional fields.

Hispanic or Latino is the No. 2 ethnic group for both within the total USA Wrestling membership at 12.64%, behind only White (Not of Hispanic origin) which is 70.40%.

Hispanic or Latino is also the No. 2 ethnic group behind White (Not of Hispanic origin) for both male and female members. Among female members, 17.06% are Hispanic or Latino. Among male members, 11.80% are Hispanic or Latino.

The percentages of Hispanic/Latino could be even higher, because the USA Wrestling data is based upon self-reported information and is not a required field for registration.

USA Wrestling is proud of the growth of opportunity in the sport for Latino/Hispanic wrestlers, and celebrates the contributions that this community has made at all levels of the sport.