By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
In front of family, friends, coaches and fellow classmates, NRHEG High School senior Annabelle Petsinger signed her national Letter of Intent to wrestle collegiately and continue her educational career at Iowa Central Community College on Monday, Nov. 9. Petsinger intends to become a veterinarian technician. Iowa Central is located in Fort Dodge Iowa, about a two-hour drive from New Richland.
“She was smiling the whole way home,” Isabelle Petsinger said after Annabelle’s recruiting trip to Northern Iowa.
Annabelle was, per usual, one of few words when asked to speak moments after signing her letter. “Ahh, go Panthers!”
Petsinger, who won a girls’ state wrestling championship last season, has been a regular member of the NRHEG varsity for several years.
“It’s less about being a trailblazer and more about wrestling at college,” she said. “When I was a kid, we didn’t have wrestling at college for girls.”
“I’m really proud of Annabelle and everything she’s accomplished at this school and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes at the next level,” NRHEG head wrestling coach Shawn Larson said.
Iowa Central head coach Zak Hensley has been in charge of the women's wrestling division on campus since its inception last year. When Annabelle begins wrestling collegiately, the program will be in its third year.
“We’re very excited to have her,” Hensley said. “We had her over the summer and we know the type of person we’re getting. Hard worker. Dedicated in everything she does. Her passion – she goes full force. What her coaches and family have instilled in her. She’s going to bring that, what this community instilled in her, down south to Iowa. We’re very happy and blessed to have her.”
Iowa Central began recruiting Annabelle following a program this summer in which Hensley was in attendance.
“I saw her wrestling and she was just kickin’ butt,” Hensley said. “And I thought I’ve got to talk to this girl. We had a great conversation and we knew right away that this was somebody we wanted in our program.”
Before any of that can happen, however, Annabelle still has her senior year left at NRHEG.
“We still have another state tournament we need to win,” Lynnette Petsinger, Annabelle’s mom said.
“My goal is to do better overall in the season,” Annabelle answered. “Better technique and control during my matches. That’s better than, ‘oh, win state’ and ‘win this many matches.’ Better execution and being better overall is more important than outcome.”
“Today is very exciting,” Lynette added. “Having her actually do what she wants to do. Like she said when she started, girls weren’t wrestling at college. And the boys were running away from her. To get a ride to go to Iowa and wrestle is outstanding. I’m very proud of her.”
Regarding her decision to go into veterinarian study, Annabelle said she grew up on a farm and likes science. “Spend enough time doing home remedies and you start thinking maybe I should learn how to actually do this.”