Dunn makes Perkins County History as first female wrestler to qualify for state
By Emmalee Parsley Stevens
Grant Tribune Correspondent
Perkins County High School junior Haley Dunn has had an extremely successful wrestling season this year. She wrestles in the 190 pound weight class and her record thus far is 25-18.
Aside from a great season, Haley has something else to be especially proud of.
Dunn made PC history by being the first female wrestler to earn her way to state from Perkins County High School.
“In the immediate aftermath of qualifying, I experienced an overwhelming surge of adrenaline and pure joy, my heart was racing not just from the physical exertion of my qualifying match, but from the realization that I accomplished something no other female wrestler at our school has ever done before,” Dunn said on winning the match at districts that punched her historical ticket to the State Championship.
The importance of her feat, and that it means she could be put in a role model position for other young girls, is a concept not lost on Dunn, though she admitted she hasn’t quite wrapped her head around it completely.
“The historical significance is another emotional dimension I haven’t yet quite grasped. Being the first girl from our school to qualify for state isn’t just a personal victory – it represents breaking down barriers. I feel a mixture of pride and responsibility, knowing that younger girls in the wrestling program will look up to me as proof that they too can reach the state tournament, “ she said.
Dunn credits her parents, coaches, teachers, peers and the community for helping her accomplishments really sink in.
“The support from my team, coaches, and community only amplified these feelings. I anticipate experiencing a new kind of attention such as congratulations from teachers and classmates who hadn’t previously paid much attention to girls’ wrestling, and maybe even local media coverage. This recognition feels both exciting and slightly overwhelming.
Going into State, Haley said she does have some pre-game jitters saying she has “nervous anticipation about the state tournament itself,” adding, “while qualifying is a huge achievement, I am already thinking about the challenge ahead, mixing confidence from my success while also having respect for the competition I’ll face at the state level,”says Dunn.
She has put in an immense amount of time and effort to accomplish this.
“There is a deep sense of personal validation. All those after school and early morning practices, the strict diet management, the countless hours drilling moves and building strength in the wrestling room – everything felt worth it in that moment. I reflect on the times I doubted myself, when the path seemed too difficult, making this achievement even sweeter,” says Dunn.
Haley traveled to Omaha to compete in the CHI Health Center Arena on February 18th and 19th.
She said placing at state would complete her goal.
“Qualifying was only part of my goal, next I want to place at state and become the first girls wrestlers in our schools history to do so and if I don’t accomplish that goal this year then I will strive even harder to achieve this in my senior year,” she says.
Dunn acknowledges the fact that girl wrestling is still a fairly new sport and appreciates the idea that she is apart of it.
“What makes this particularly meaningful is that girls’ wrestling is still a growing sport in many states. Being part of this movement, helping establish the legitimacy and competitiveness of girls’ wrestling through my achievement adds an extra layer of significance to my accomplishment,” says Dunn.
“Haley wrestled well and initially led 7-2 but fell by pin at 2:57. Haley is done for the day and will wrestle again tomorrow. Plainsmen Nation is behind you, Haley!,” reads the Perkins County School social media update on Monday evening.
Haley was waiting for her second day of competition as of press time.