The Bellevue Board of Education voted unanimously Aug. 4 to approve the cooperative girls wrestling program that combines athletes from Bellevue East and Bellevue West for competition under the Bellevue umbrella.

A district athletics staff member said the co‑op is entering its fifth year and that the program had “about 30 to 35 different wrestlers” this season, with roughly 10 athletes from Bellevue West and 20 from Bellevue East. The staff member credited coaches and community volunteers for growing participation from the program's early years when rosters included only six or seven athletes per school.

Coaches named by staff were Brian Ursic, described as a Bellevue East employee who serves as head coach, and Nick Holland, an associate coach at Bellevue West. The staff member said the program produced one state runner‑up and seven other state qualifiers this year. The co‑op uses practice space at BJSA; staff said schools split program costs for uniforms and equipment as needed.

Why it matters: Cooperative programs allow smaller rosters to field teams and create competitive opportunities for students in weight classes that can be difficult to fill. The board speaker noted that many metro high schools have girls programs and that the sport has been growing locally and statewide.

Board vote: The motion to approve the cooperative was moved and seconded and passed unanimously with all present board members voting yes.

No amendments to the cooperative agreement were recorded at the meeting; staff said the district would file the co‑op with the activity‑sanctioning body as required.