To step onto the mat as an 8th grader, Harley LaBuda has become one of the first girls with the opportunity to become a 5 time All American as one of the newest members of Team Montana. To earn the title of All American, competitors must place in the top 8 for their bracket at Nationals. Harley stepped onto the mat in Omaha, Nebraska representing Team Montana at the USAW Nationals in the 14U girls division. She ended up taking 7th at Nationals with 2 wins by pin and 2 losses.
From a young age, this kid has set her mind to wrestling but never faltering in anything else she has done along the way. In the wrestling room at the age of 8, she told coaches that one day she was going to be on the wall at Big Sandy High School as the first girl to win a divisional title. In the very first year that Montana allowed 8th graders to step up and wrestle on the high school team, Ms. Harley did just that. She finished 1st at Montana Eastern B/C Divisionals, earning her a spot to state alongside 3 other team mates and then proceeding to finish 3rd at the Montana State Girls 107# Championship. And all of this as an 8th grader.
As I visited with Coach Kyle Rodewald the big joke in the wrestling room seemed to be that "Harley would be great if she could just remember her shoes." "Having Harley wrestle for Team Montana shows how much work she's put in over the years. This year she's been especially great at becoming more outspoken, and taking on a leadership role on the team. She sets a great example of working hard, always smiling and being a mentor for all of the younger wrestlers. Harley along with team mate Quinn had an outstanding season as 8th graders wrestling at a varsity level. They are the two easiest kids to coach and the most difficult kids to coach. Easiest because they're always focused and self-driven. Hardest, because they're always demanding more. They're relentless in perfecting the crafty. They're relentless in perfecting the craft. They understand its more about the process than the outcome. They respect the sport so much that they know it deserves the effort of not just being good, but being elite. Tip of the sword. They're building a legacy of Pioneer Wrestling."
Stephen Boyce helped Coach Kyle Rodewald when the program was just starting to take off again and Harley was wrestling as a 2nd grader. He had this to say about Harley: "not sure that it was me she said it to but I do remember her saying she would be the first girl on the Wrestling Wall of Fame. I never doubted it, but I would not have dreamed she would achieve it as an 8th Grader! There are not many kids as coachable and teachable as Harley. Even from the start she always worked hard and listened to her coaches and that work ethic has already taken her this far. I can't wait to see what else she is able to achieve! Happy and proud to have been able to play a part."
I had the opportunity to interview Harley about wrestling and we had quite an interesting conversation. When you get her on the phone she is somewhat quiet and shy and very humble in our discussions. When asked what she liked most about wrestling, she quickly responded the competitiveness among the athletes. Harley enjoys being able to travel all around the state of Montana to various tournaments and at the end of the day the win or loss is left solely on her shoulders. And something she carries with her. She doesn't let the losses rattle her, she takes each one as an opportunity to grow and perfect her technique and become a better wrestler. She is super excited about being asked to join Team Montana and the door that has been opened for her. When asked how she prepared for attended the USAW National competition in Omaha she simply said "I didn't change anything. I stayed focused, continued going to practice as I have been since early December. Consistency is key. I wanted to go there and not lose out and be done right away." Harley said that the experience in Nebraska was unlike any other. She was in utter shock at the venue and the event when she walked in that stadium for the first time. Harley also mentioned that on their way to Nebraska the team stopped and stayed at a Dojo and from the sounds of it, an experience that she will never forget. She said, "I knew no one when I started, but by the end of it the camaraderie we built was pretty awesome and I've been staying in close contact with about ½ the girls on the team."
It is obvious in talking to Harley and her family as well as the coaches that have worked with her since she started in the little guy wrestling as a 2nd grader that she truly can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. With her heart, dedication and perseverance, the sky is the limit with that kid. Her next competition with Team Montana is in Spokane, Washington April 14-16.
