Wrestling continues a strong growth pattern on the high school level, according to statistics released for the 1998-99 school year by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). 
 Wrestling grew in every category, with more boys competitors, girls competitors and teams than the previous season. It was the fifth straight year that the total number of wrestling competitors and teams has grown nationally. In addition, wrestling remains one of the most popular sports for boys, according to the survey. 
 Wrestling was ranked No. 6 in the number of boys participants with 235,973 total participants in the nation. Only football, basketball, outdoor track and field, baseball and soccer had more boys participants than wrestling. 
 The number of boys wrestlers on the high school level increased by 6,797 from the previous year, an impressive increase of 3 percent. Of all boys sports, wrestling was fourth in the total number of new competitors, behind only football, soccer and golf. 
 Wrestling was ranked No. 9 in the number of boys programs, with 9,022 wrestling teams in the United States. Wrestling was ranked behind basketball, outdoor track and field, baseball, football, golf, cross country, tennis and soccer in total number of programs. 
 The number of boys wrestling teams increased by 122 programs last year, an increase of 1.4 percent from the previous year. 
 Girls wrestling continued its rapid growth trend of recent years as well. According to the survey, the number of girls in high school wrestling grew to 2,361 participants, up from 1,907 during the 1997-98 year. This increase of 454 girls participants represents a remarkable 24 percent increase. 
 In addition, the number of wrestling teams with girls participating showed a increase again. In 1997-98, 619 high schools had girls involved in wrestling, but the 1998-99 the total grew to 661 programs. 
 Based on figures from the 51 state high school athletic/activity associations, participation in all high school athletics during 1998-99 was 6,504,298, an increase of 82,463 from the previous year. This sets the all-time record for high school sports participation, exceeding the previous high of 6,450,482 in the "baby-boom" year of 1977-78. Total participation increased for both boys and girls during the year. 
 The top 10 states for wrestling participants were California (23,163), Ohio (13,287), Illinois (13,160), New York (12,095), Michigan (11,499), Minnesota (9,344), Indiana (9,294), Washington, (8,984), New Jersey (8,699) and Pennsylvania (8,406). 
 Data from the 1998-99 survey indicated another record participation for girls at 2,652,796, an increase of 82,463 from the previous year. Boys participation also increased, up 69,232, to 3,832,352, the highest mark for boys since 1977-78. 
 The NFHS has compiled the survey since 1971 based on figures from its 51 member state associations. With the exception of a slight decrease from 1987-88 to 1988-89, participation has risen each year since the 1983-84 year. 
 In the listing of total athletic participants by state, Texas remains No. 1 with 783,751, followed by California (584,590), New York (328,954), Ohio (290,226), Illinois (288,212), Michigan (285,465), Pennsylvania (234,644), Minnesota (220,583), New Jersey (208,791) and Massachusetts (179,142).