Families say WIAA ticket process left families of qualifying wrestlers without tickets to state competition
MUKSEGO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Qualifying for state is a goal many high school wrestlers dream of, but some Wisconsin families may not be in the stands to watch that dream come true.
A Muskego family is calling out the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) for its ticket process after they say it left parents of state wrestlers, especially girls, without a seat at the biggest match of the year.
Since freshman year, Sophia Peterson has worked tirelessly on the mat to make it this far.
“I really enjoy the sport. It’s fun. It’s fun to beat people up sometimes,” said Peterson. “It makes me really proud of myself. It’s a big achievement. Not everybody is able to do it.”
Peterson was one of two girls at Muskego High School to qualify for state wrestling – an event her grandparents were ready to fly in from Florida to watch -- but Peterson and her mom say there were no tickets left to purchase.
“Your kid qualifies and your team qualifies, and it's such an exciting time for you guys to go and buy tickets and get your whole family there to support your athlete,” said mom, Susan Peterson. “They’re our athletes and we’re proud of them and we want to be there to support them, so it’s a little gut-wrenching.”
State final tickets went on sale to the general public on Feb. 10. The boys’ sectional finals took place four days later, on Feb. 14. Family members say tickets for state sold out on Feb. 17, three days before the girls' sectional finals took place. Family members say tickets for session 1 and 2 were sold out by Thursday.
“All the parents bought tickets, and they bought all the tickets they wanted to get for their boys, but the girls didn’t have same access to those tickets,” said Peterson.
The WIAA says that’s not the case. In a statement, a WIAA spokesperson wrote in part, “Demand for state wrestling was extraordinary, and we’re proud the tournament sold out. Tickets sold out Monday — after the girls qualifier concluded.”
The WIAA says it's working with coaches and families to accommodate those who still need tickets, but Peterson's family says they want to see changes.
“I hope that maybe they can reserve a certain amount of tickets per athlete that qualifies,” said Susan Peterson.
Peterson says her time on the mat is just as important as anyone else’s.
“As we’ve learned from other sports, everybody watches women's sports, and everyone wants to watch sports, so why not have the same access to it?” said Peterson.