Marion’s Natalie Hedlund excited about postseason opportunity after strong freshman campaign

MARION — The first Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union regional tournaments are Friday.

Four sites will host two state qualifiers with wrestlers from more than 20 teams in each field. Many competitors will experience it for the first time.

Marion freshman Natalie Hedlund is the exception. She entered high school as a seasoned wrestler, starting in third grade, winning a few youth state titles and even representing Team Iowa for her age group.

Hedlund has worked for this chance and is excited that it has arrived.

“It’s just a wrestling match,” Hedlund said. “I just view it as an opportunity. It’s not scary or a big thing.”

The inaugural season for sanctioned girls’ wrestling will begin the postseason Friday, holding eight regionals in Sioux City, Des Moines, Decorah and Cedar Rapids. Competition at each site begins at 11 a.m.

Marion is one of 25 teams in Region 6 held at Alliant Energy PowerHouse, which will also host the 25-team Region 5 meet. The top four regional finishers at each weight advance to the IGHSAU state tournament Feb. 2-3 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

“Her goal is to be on the award stand Friday night, (on) the 3rd,” Marion Coach Jason Haag said, “and I think she’s capable of it.”

Hedlund has proven she can compete with anyone. She owns a 23-3 record, winning the 115-pound championship at the Wamac Conference tournament Monday. Hedlund also claimed tournament titles at Independence and Cedar Rapids Prairie. She has won six straight bouts and 17 of her last 18.

“My season has gone pretty good,” Hedlund said. “It hasn’t gone exactly how I wanted it to go. My three losses weren’t planned.”

Haag noted Hedlund’s potential during the Independence Invitational. He noted that Hedlund has an aggressive attitude that separates herself from the opposition.

“She has a killer instinct on the mat,” Haag said. “She is really strong and just her experience in wrestling I think gives her a really big advantage.”

Hedlund has concentrated on her mental approach. She works on that through school, using visualization to get ready for matches and letting go of any negative feelings.

“I will picture my matches or think of things I want to do or good at,” Hedlund said. “Or, I’ll watch the girl I’m going to wrestle and see what she does so I’m mentally prepared. I try not to focus on bad things and accept it. Move on and learn from it.”

This tournament is a steppingstone to reach her ultimate goal of a state medal. She has worked to finish first. Her experience and ability puts her in contention for a state berth and even a regional crown.

A key is to wake up with confidence and a positive mindset.

“As long as I’m mentally prepared, I know physically and technically I am ready,” Hedlund said. “As long as I’m mentally prepared then I should be fine.”

The Region 6 field includes Cedar Rapids Prairie, Cedar Rapids Washington, Central City, Clear Creek Amana, East Buchanan, English Valleys/Tri-County, Iowa City Liberty, Iowa City Regina, Iowa City West, Iowa Valley, Solon, Vinton-Shellsburg and West Branch.

Prairie placed second at its home tournament last weekend with four champions, including top-ranked 125-pound Mackenzie Childers.

“We have to come to scrap,” Prairie Coach Zach Becicka said. “Friday is going to be a tough day. There is a lot of tough competition.”

Region 5 will compete simultaneously. The field includes Belle Plaine, Benton Community, Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Highland, Wamac team champion Independence, Iowa City High, Linn-Mar, Maquoketa, Mid-Prairie, Midland, Mount Vernon, Tipton, Washington (Iowa) and West Liberty.

Luther College will host Regions 7 and 8. Anamosa, Cascade, Decorah, MFL MarMac, North Fayette Valley, Oelwein, Union Community, West Delaware and Western Dubuque are part of the 20-team Region 7.

Alburnett, Center Point-Urbana, Elkader Central, Postville, South Winneshiek, Starmont, and Waukon will compete in Region 8.