Girls' Wrestling News

by: Girls Wrestling Contributor

We are excited to announce that the documentary Iron Maidens: Wrestling for Glory is now available. This powerful, locally rooted and produced film with central characters from North Allegheny chronicles the journey of two high school female wrestlers competing in Pennsylvania’s first officially sanctioned girls’ wrestling state championship which was a milestone 86 years in the making.

Among its central figures are Leyna Rumpler, one of North Allegheny’s standout wrestlers, and Coach Dan Heckert, whose leadership and commitment to building opportunities for young women in wrestling helped shape this historic season. Together, their stories represent athletes breaking barriers, the leaders guiding them forward, and the power of the coach-athlete relationship.  Boys wrestling coach Jamie Kyriazis lends his support as well he provides play-by-play narration for some of the key wrestling sequences.

The broader fight for recognition has a direct connection to North Allegheny’s leadership since NA became just the fourth school in Pennsylvania to establish a dedicated girls’ wrestling team in early 2020.

A Season of Rivalry, Resilience, and History

Iron Maidens: Wrestling for Glory is a one-part documentary and two parts sports-drama as it follows high school seniors Leyna Rumpler and Avry Ryhal as they chase the same dream; to win Pennsylvania’s first official girls’ wrestling championship. Friends turned rivals, their journey tests resilience, toughness, and loyalty as the season unfolds.

Interwoven with their story are the voices of the women who came before them—pioneers who wrestled boys for decades with little recognition and constant resistance. Their struggles set the stage for a landmark moment in March 2024, when Pennsylvania—one of wrestling’s most storied states—finally sanctioned girls’ wrestling.

The film also chronicles the advocates who launched the movement in 2020, risking failure to push for change and secure a place for girls within the same tradition boys had enjoyed for more than 80 years. Culminating at the inaugural girls’ state championship, Iron Maidens captures both triumph and heartbreak through raw, emotional interviews. Beyond the matches, it’s a story of determination, equality, and the fight to belong in a sport long dominated by men.

Words from the Director

Tony Melanson—who has personal ties to our area and to the North Allegheny district—serves as director and producer of the film. In announcing the release, he shared:

“I’m grateful for the support from Bob Bozzuto and Dan Heckert which allowed me to create a compelling feature-length documentary about this significant milestone.  You can’t always predict how a true documentary story will unfold.  They trusted me with it, and I am extremely grateful.”

Reflecting on the project, Melanson added:

“We started filming in the fall of 2023 and I knew right away we had great characters and a story full of opportunity and meaning and that was enough for me to lock in.  Filming completed in March of 2024 and I spent the following 12 months in post-production with my mentor and Executive Producer, Nigel Levy who was the series editor on the first season of F1 Drive to Survive.   My hope is that people forget they are watching a documentary and just become immersed in the story – just like any good movie. “

We encourage our NA community—students, families, staff, coaches, and alumni—to check it out. It’s more than a wrestling film; it’s a spotlight on perseverance and local heroes whose stories deserve to be told.

How to Rent

You can rent Iron Maidens: Wrestling for Glory on the Amazon Prime Video platform by clicking here.