At this year’s IWCOA State Championship, Bettendorf’s Ella Schmit not just won, she dominated. On her way, to the title she recorded 5 straight pins to claim the 125lb championship. This is the second straight time she has pinned her way through the state tournament, and this victory makes her a rare 3x Iowa state champion. After finishing in second place her freshman year.
This type of success is not something new for her, a quick look at her Track Wrestling profile, reveals she was won a total of 10 state titles over the the length of her storied career!
That doesn’t mean that it’s come easy for Ella though, she has put in countless hours on the mats, training at some of the areas best clubs. Over the years she has trained with Young Guns wrestling club, and Agoge Wrestling as well as the Bettendorf wrestling club.
One of her key’s to success is her strong desire to compete against the best competition she can find. Ella regularly jumps up and down weight classes searching out the toughest opponents she can find. Over the years she has competed in numerous national tournaments, claiming championships in 6 of them. This last summer she traveled to Fargo North Dakota and competed in one of the nations toughest high school tournaments. She went 6-2 over the multi day event and finished in fifth place at 117 lbs.
It’s the culmination, of many years of hard work, and road trips to tournaments all over the country, that allow her to dominate the state level competition and make it all look so easy! Countless hours on the mat, and endless sacrifice have made Ella Schmit, Iowa Matmen’s Wrestler Of The Week.
More about Ella
How many state titles have you won over the length of your career? 10 Iowa state titles.
How long have you wrestled? I began wrestling in the 3rd grade.
Favorite food? Peanut M&M’s.
GPA: 3.6
Plan to wrestle in College? yes, but I’m undecided as to where.
Year in high school? Senior at Bettendorf High School
Favorite Athlete? 3x NCAA Champion Spencer Lee
Who inspires you? My parents work ethic has been an inspiration.
Favorite Coach? Coach Sass, came to girls state back when I was the only girl on the team competing. Coach Trizzno, for his help and support while cutting weight.
Most significant wrestling moment? Qualifying for boys state my Junior year and being the first girl to get a pin at boys state.
Goals? I want to wrestle in the Olympics someday.
What inspired you to start wrestling? I was always at practice, with my brother and just decided to give it a try.
Record this season? 14-0