Marion’s Natalie Hedlund is back from shoulder surgery with eyes on the state wrestling podium

At the 2023 girls’ state wrestling tournament, Marion’s Natalie Hedlund was on the verge of advancing to the second day and potentially making her way onto the podium as a freshman.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

She dislocated her shoulder and had to medically forfeit out of the tournament. Hedlund underwent shoulder surgery over the summer and continues to wrestle with a shoulder brace.

But she is back now, with a record of 17-3.

Overcoming a shoulder injury has been quite the learning experience.

“It’s been a long road, but I think it’s made me realize that I have to push myself and work hard,” Hedlund said. “It (wrestling) just doesn’t come because it’s something I’ve done for a really long time.

“It’s something you have to want and work toward.”

Marion Coach Jason Haag knows Hedlund has been doing just that — working hard to get back to the level of competition she was at a year ago.

He believes she’s getting closer every day.

“She continues to fight back from her surgery earlier in the year,” Haag said. “She’s still working and getting back in her groove to where she was. Each and every time she comes out, she’s looking more confident with her shoulder and everything else.”

Working to overcome her shoulder injury and surgery has been no easy task, but it has given her a new outlook on her personal strength.

“It makes me realize how tough of a person I am and defines me in so many ways,” Hedlund said. “I’ve learned that I’m a lot stronger than I was, mentally and physically.”

Just as Hedlund has had to fight back from her injury, Haag sees that same type of fight when she steps onto the wrestling mat. It’s a testament to the type of wrestler she has become since starting the sport in third grade.

“She has a lot of fight,” Haag said. “She goes out with confidence that she’s going to win every match, and she wins a lot of them. Even if she does lose, she comes off and learns from it.

“She’s definitely a competitor and hates to lose.”

With less than 10 days before the IGHSAU super regionals on Jan. 26, Hedlund has had the postseason circled on her calendar since that fateful day last February.

Even more so, she’s got her eyes on the podium after being so close last season.

“Not being able to place last year, it just really makes me want to place this year,” Hedlund said. “It feeds my energy.”

While Hedlund’s wrestling journey has had some adversity, she remains firm in what the sport has taught her.

It aligns with how she’s approached her comeback on the mat, while also being a nod to the strength of her fellow female wrestlers.

“Girls don’t realize just how tough they are,” Hedlund said. “It’s a mental game.

“Don’t give up and always give yourself another chance.”