Training Hub for Statewide Athletes
Sandpoint High School served as the training ground this week for Idaho’s top female wrestlers preparing for the USA Wrestling National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota. The 2026 Idaho Girls National Team Camp brought together 50 high school wrestlers from 30 schools across the state, along with 6 collegiate athletes and 5 high school coaches.
The camp, held at Sandpoint High School’s gymnasium, focused on skill development and mental preparation ahead of the nationals competition. Valerie Johansen, head coach of Sandpoint’s girls wrestling program, oversaw the training sessions and emphasized the broader impact of bringing together young athletes from across Idaho.
“It was incredible to watch young women from every corner of Idaho unite under one goal while building friendships that will last well beyond their competitive careers,” Johansen said.
Beyond the Mat
The camp incorporated more than wrestling fundamentals. Mental performance sessions and team-building activities complemented the technical training, helping athletes prepare for the mental demands of competing at the national level.
Three Bonner County wrestlers competed in the junior and youth divisions at nationals: Mackenzee Donenfeld and Isabella Stark in the junior division, and Rhaelyn Schedlbauer in the 16U division.
Johansen reflected on the team’s readiness as athletes departed for Fargo. “As the team departed for Fargo this week, they left with not only improved skills but also a stronger sense of pride in representing Idaho on the national stage,” she said.
What Comes Next
Results from the USA Wrestling National Championships in Fargo will determine which Idaho competitors advance through the national brackets. The camp underscores Sandpoint’s role as a regional hub for wrestling development in North Idaho, building on the community’s growing investment in the sport at the high school level.
Related community events in the region include the Sandpoint Summer Festival’s 2026 fine art poster unveiling and the Sam Owen Fire District’s 24th Annual Pancake Breakfast, which supports local volunteer organizations.