Dinerpod #32 Aubrey Bartkowiak

"I just have a mission. I’m on a mission to win that state title."

In this episode of the Dinerpod, we sit down with a true pioneer of the mat: Aubrey Bartkowiak, the IHSAA Girls Wrestling Heavyweight State Champion from Attica High School.

Aubrey joins us to share her incredible four-year journey—from stepping into a wrestling room for the first time as a freshman (and crying on day one!) to becoming the first four-time state qualifier in her school's history. She opens up about the physical and mental hurdles of the sport, including shedding over 100 pounds to get healthy and finding the "championship mindset" required to reach the top of the podium.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Surreal Feeling of Gold: Aubrey describes the moment she realized she finally reached her goal after placing 2nd, 5th, and 3rd in previous years.

Overcoming the "Target": How she managed the pressure of being a top-ranked athlete and why her senior year felt different.

The State Final Turnaround: A play-by-play of her championship match, where she fought back from a 10-3 deficit in the third period to secure the pin.

Pioneering Girls Wrestling: Her perspective on watching the sport explode in popularity and becoming a role model for the next generation.

What’s Next: Her commitment to wrestle at the D-II level for Point Park University in Pittsburgh and her upcoming schedule at Nationals and Fargo.

Mental Health & Motivation: How the memory of her friend Ray fueled her "mission" this season and the importance of a strong support system.

Aubrey’s Advice to Young Athletes: > "Don't give up. When you feel like giving up, don't do it. You need to push yourself until you absolutely know there’s nothing left in the tank."

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#wrestling #statechampion #girlswrestling #highschoolwrestling #dinerpodsports