The NCAA committee on women's athletics recommended Monday that all three divisions add women's wrestling as an emerging sport, a key step toward making it a championship-level sport. If the recommendation is approved, women's wrestling as well as acrobatics and tumbling would be added as emerging sports Aug. 1, 2020.

A sport must have at least 20 varsity teams and/or competitive club teams to be considered for the program, and at least 40 varsity teams for NCAA championship consideration.

The Wrestle Like a Girl organization and USA Wrestling said there are 23 NCAA schools with women's wrestling teams, including Texas A&M and Colorado State. There are 13 other schools planning to add the sport either next year or in 2020-21. The National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association said 29 NCAA colleges and universities sponsor the sport.

The emerging sports program, which offers sponsorship options and helps schools meet financial aid and other requirements, began in 1994. It has helped several sports have reached championship status, including beach volleyball and ice hockey. Equestrian, rugby and triathlon are all currently competing as emerging sports.

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