Fatima senior Heidi Struemph entered last week’s Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) girls wrestling championships with the same mentality she’s possessed throughout her career. The result was a third-place medal in a field of very tough competitors at 130 pounds.

This was her second straight state berth, finishing last year at 1-2. That experience made this year’s trip easier. “I felt so relaxed,” said Struemph. “I knew this was going to be the final time I wrestled for high school, so I just went out there and treated it like any other tournament. I did what I needed to do to get as far as I could.”

Struemph said she intentionally avoids studying brackets before matches. “It’s kind of always a surprise who I’m going to wrestle,” she said. “I do that because I get too much in my head if I know the record or who it is. So I just go wrestle whoever I need to wrestle.”

Motivation was not an issue. “I underperformed at state last year, and that was disappointing,” Struemph noted. “On paper, I was supposed to place. So, I knew going in this year I was going to do whatever it took.”

Struemph pinned Makayla Altic of Buffalo (3:02) to win her first round, and then knocked off Izzy Kidwell of Lathrop by fall (1:22) in the quarters. Struemph’s only loss came in the semifinals as she fell to Isabella Montez of Carl Junction (1:07).

However, she recovered and pinned Arianna Augustyniak (St. Charles West) by fall (1:50) to advance to the third-place match. Struemph pulled out all the stops and defeated Alivia Bottoms of Boonville by major decision (14-1) to claim her All-State medal.

Coach Kurt Strope is pleased with Struemph’s performance. “Heidi wrestled very well and did something that helps the program,” he said. “She took that marker and moved it a little higher. Skyla (Schroeder) put the marker there, taking fifth, and Heidi moved it, taking third. That gives the next girls something to shoot for.”

Struemph agreed. “I’m really hyped,” she said. “This year, we had the most girls we’ve ever had on the team — nine. I’m confident I’m leaving behind a team that’s hardworking and dedicated. The next few years, we’re going to have quite the team.”

She added that the growth of girls’ wrestling locally is especially meaningful. “I know a lot of little girls are getting out there and joining,” Struemph offered. “I just think that’s the coolest thing ever — that girls’ wrestling is becoming big here at Fatima.”