Martin County West graduate Katie Lange has been named as Minnesota's winner of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The award recognizes and celebrates the country’s top high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.
The award, which was first presented in 2014, is named for Tricia Saunders, a four-time world champion and women’s wrestling pioneer.
Saunders was the first woman to be inducted as a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.
Regional winners are scheduled to be announced next week and the national winner on Aug. 10.
“This year has been so hard for so many seniors whose seasons and state championships were either shortened, postponed, or canceled as a result of the pandemic,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “Despite the many challenges they encountered, these student-athletes demonstrated tremendous resolve while working to achieve their academic and athletic goals.
“In recognition of their fortitude, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is excited to recognize these young women with our Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, and we wish them continued success, on and off the mat.”
Lange won her first state girls championship this spring and was named winner of the Ms. Minnesota - Wrestling award as the top senior female wrestler in the state. She will be attending Augsburg University and wrestling for the Auggies.