Keeley Kehrli putting in the work for U20 Pan American Wrestling Championship

This summer, Keeley Kehrli has had a strict training regimen.

From early morning weightlifting sessions to working full days at her internship on the Snake River Farms team for Agri Beef in Boise, Idaho, followed by wrestling practice and throwing in a little cardio, she has been putting in the work to accomplish her goals.

Kehrli’s training had a purpose, as she was preparing for the U20 Pan American Wrestling Championships in Lima, Peru. Having finished third at women’s national tournament in April, Kehrli earned her spot in her first international wrestling competition.

“I was extremely excited and grateful to take advantage of this opportunity,” Kehrli said. “It’s been amazing to represent USA, Simpson College, East Buchanan High School and my small hometown of Quasqueton, Iowa.”

Coming into the championships, Kehrli was feeling the first-time jitters and was unsure of what to expect.

Putting those feelings aside, Kehrli locked in and focused on each match, just like it was any other one.

“I took it one match at a time,” Kehrli said. “I had prepared and trained for it like any other tournament. You are toeing the same line and doing the same moves.

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“The only thing that was different was the place.”

Kehrli won the gold medal in freestyle at 72 kg, pinning Mexico’s Sofia De Leon Gonzalez in 53 seconds and Canada’s Kiki Idowu in 5:40. Team USA came home with the team title, earning 225 points. Canada was the second-place team with 190 points.

“Running around the mat with the American flag made every minute of preparation worth it,” Kehrli said. “It made me so proud of how far I’ve come.”

Kehrli’s wrestling career had humble beginnings. She was the lone wrestler for East Buchanan’s girls’ wrestling program during her freshman year of high school in 2019, with Dan Stiefel and Kehrli’s sister, Kendra Burchett, her coaches.

“When we started, it was just me and them and 6 a.m. practices,” Kehrli said. “By the time I was a senior, we had 11 girls on the team.”

Fast forward to 2025 and the Buccaneers were crowned Class 1A girls’ wrestling state champions. It’s an accomplishment that makes the trailblazer and four-time state placewinner for the Bucs beyond proud.

“It’s been super cool to see them grow and continue to get better as a team,” Kehrli said. “It sends chills down my back. Those girls deserve it more than anything.

“They are so hard working and knowing how far they have come is super inspirational to me.”

One significant inspiration throughout Kehrli’s wrestling career has been her sister, Burchett, who has been in her corner since her high school career. Fighting back tears, Kehrli is quick to admit Burchett has always been an inspiration to her, on and off the mat.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Kehrli said. “She’s been through it with me, through thick and thin. She’s always had my back. I think that having her in my corner and her support means more than she knows.”

The people in Kehrli’s life have been the driving force for her in achieving her goals and inspiring her to keep aiming high.

Throughout this journey of being a world champion, Kehrli is grateful for the support she’s received from fans to friends and family, as well as her current and former teammates.

“I see and read people’s comments on social media,” Kehrli said. “It just means the world to have their support. I definitely have some of the best people cheering me on.”

When asked about wrestling in the Olympics someday, Kehrli isn’t ruling that out as a possibility. But, her ultimate goal is bigger than that.

“I want to create a positive impact on the sport and continue the growth of girls’ wrestling,” said Kehrli, a junior wrestler at Simpson. “After I got off the mat, some little girls wanted to take a picture with me and the American flag.

“It made my heart so full to know that I am making an impact on people and can be an inspiration to them.”