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What is the "Wrestle with Attitude" Award
Wrestle with Attitude Award
The Wrestle with Attitude award was created in 2025 by Mia Palumbo and Mark Dettling. This award recognizes a female wrestler who has demonstrated a positive attitude both on and off the mat. The winner will receive a $2,500 donation. In addition, their High School will receive $1,000 in the athlete’s name to support the girls’ wrestling program.
The award recognizes a High School Senior Girls wrestler in North Dakota whose attitude executes the qualities of leadership and perseverance through difficulties in wrestling and life. The award winner should directly impact female wrestling empowering other women toward greatness.
Criteria for Eligibility
- Being a North Dakota Resident
- Being a Senior That Participated in North Dakota Girls Wrestling
- Be Attending College in 2025
Award Presentation
Please review and consider the award criteria to determine whether the person you wish to nominate would be an appropriate recipient of this award.
Mia and Mark both will review all nominations and select the award recipient.
This award will be presented each year by both Mia and Mark, (Location: TBD, it could be at the nominee’s high school, end of the year sports banquet, etc.) Mia plans to have a free camp every year in ND. This location is also TDB.
Making History
As a freshman at Harold L. Richards High School (Oak Lawn, Illinois) Mia Palumbo made history in 2018 at the Illinois boys state tournament, where she was the first girl to ever win a match at the state tournament. Finishing the tournament 2-2, losing in the blood round.
Mia Palumbo
Accomplishments
- Multiple Time Illinois Girls State Champion
- FlowWrestling Who’s Number One Champion
- 2021 Tricia Saunders Hall of Fame Excellence Award Winner
- 2x Fargo Champion
- 2023 Pan-American Champion
- 2023 U20 All-American
- 2x NAIA Scholar All-American
- 2022 & 2023 NAIA National Finalist
- 2024 National Champion
- 2024 Olympic Trials Qualifier – Finished 5th
“You don’t go to practice to win. You go to practice to score as many points as you can, to get as many takedowns as you can and to wrestle out of as many positions as you can.
Mark Dettling