Wrestler Paige Baumgartner makes a lasting impact on the Bismarck High School Girls’ wrestling program by serving as a leader and helping bring home three consecutive team state championships.
BHS has a well-known, rich history of successful wrestling seasons. However, Bismarck’s wrestling improved when the North Dakota High School Activitys Association added girls’ wrestling as its own sports program. Baumgartner was just a sixth grader when she began wrestling. In her seventh-grade season, she began wrestling for BHS, and in her eighth-grade season, she began wrestling for the newly established BHS girls’ team.
Throughout her middle and high school career, Baumgartner has received awards such as ‘Outstanding Wrestler’ and ‘Most Improved Wrestler’, and has been a two time runner-up at the state meet. But her most memorable accomplishment includes: “Winning the rumble as my first ever tournament, my freshman year.”
After high school, Baumgartner plans to continue wrestling at Bismarck State College, where she will pursue a teaching certificate in technical programs.
“It is close to home, and I am very family-oriented.”Baumgartner’s biggest supporters are her family. She began wrestling because of her older brother’s influence.
Baumgartner is an athlete who relies on her mental state. She reflects on important words spoken to her from Coach Eichmann ‘It’s okay to lose, it’s not okay to give up and quit.’
This year, Baumgartner plans to finish her high school career by bringing home another championship. She believes her goals will be met if she and her teammates emphasize teamwork.
“We challenge to keep everyone healthy at once, but this year our team will excel at working together to achieve our goal to bring home another state championship.”