ORDER GAME PHOTOS

The sport of wrestling is considered one of the most physically demanding sports among high school and college athletics and the norm for a large share that enter the circle is either being the next generation in line or following in the footsteps of an older sibling or extended family member (e.g., cousin). Other than a couple of uncles that had wrestled, the next HIDDEN GEM in my series did not have an immediate family member to follow on the mat, but her introduction to wrestling was set in motion by an incident in the classroom. Currently ranked among the top wrestlers in the Girls Division in the state of Idaho and nation, Mountain Home’s Amie Hartman has only been on the mat for three years, but in a short period of time has brought a lot of enthusiasm, confidence, and a natural ability to network as well as build a strong comradery within the wrestling community.

With a population of just over sixteen thousand, the city of Mountain Home is known for its agricultural production, dairy farms, and family-run ranches. In addition to the Air Force base that is home to the 366^th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home was once a desert oasis along the Oregon Trail and considered a gateway to the neighboring mountains. More recently, we have come to know Mountain Home for not only producing state level wrestlers, but national All-Americans as well. Growing up on five acres, Amie’s life prior to entering the circle was very busy, well rounded, and required some true grit. For instance, throughout her childhood, she has been actively involved in the Future Farmers of American (FFA), soccer, karate, drama production in addition to raising pigs through the 4-H program.

According to Amie, she began her freshman year at Mountain Home High School with no intention of wrestling, nor was it even a thought. What began as an altercation with a few boys in her science class turned into a proposition to join the wrestling team. Ironically, the science teacher who broke up the altercation was also an assistant wrestling coach at the time. It was his forward thinking that encouraged Amie to take her energy to a different setting and release it in the confines of the wrestling circle. Looking back, this suggestion proved positive for not only Amie and her future, but the sport of wrestling as a whole. According to Patrick Starkey, the Head Coach at Mountain Home, “Amie is the epitome of what every wrestling coach wants in their athletes. She stepped into our practice room having no idea what she was getting herself into. However, where many kids shy away from the demands of our sport, Amie embraced the challenge and threw everything she had into it. Like most wrestlers, she had no idea what she was doing at first, but her aggressiveness and tenacity made up for her lack of experience.” Furthermore, he also emphasized, “Her persistence and dedication have allowed her to accomplish in two years what many athletes spend their entire careers chasing and never achieve.”

From the get-go, Amie set herself apart from her fellow wrestlers. For instance, to exemplify her confidence she puts on her game face (aka, make-up) before every competition. Her strategy is to “LOOK PRETTY AND WRESTLE PRETTY.” So far this is working for Amie since she made an immediate impact to the wrestling scene in her freshman season. In her first year alone, she won the Tiger-Grizz Invitational, North Idaho Rumble, and capped that season off by winning the District IV Championships as well as reaching the finals of the state championships.

Despite having an exceptional first season on the mat, losing in the state finals did not sit well with Amie. In fact, she increased her training regimen to a greater level moving forward. According to Coach Starkey, “her loss in the finals at state as a freshman was probably the best thing that ever happened to her because it lit a fire in her. She spent the offseason wrestling in every tournament she could and she came back the next year with a vengeance.” For example, her resolve was on full display as she won Idaho state titles in both Freestyle and Greco, national duals, and ended the summer circuit with a finals appearance and All-American honor at the USAW High School National Recruiting Showcase.

With just over one year of experience, Amie continued here winning ways by bringing home titles at several regular season tournaments, such as the Rollie Lane Invitational, Tiger-Grizz, and Jaybird Memorial. Still motivated by her loss at the previous state championships, Amie entered the post season of her sophomore year with one thing on her mind, winning an Idaho State title and much more. Between the District IV and State Championships, there was nothing beyond a shadow of a doubt that Amie was on a mission as she registered pin falls throughout, including a fall in the state final over Eagle’s Olivia Wood in less than 40 seconds, reversing her loss from the 2022 state final that set her on this early career trajectory.

Always seeking the opportunity to challenge herself at higher level competitions, Amie prepared hard for a shot at earning a title and well respected All-American honor at the Fargo US Nationals. During the process, she earned additional titles at the Idaho Freestyle and Greco Championships and reached the finals in each style at the USA Junior Western Regionals. Then after a solid performance at the Junior National Duals with Team Idaho, Amie entered the Fargo tournament with high hopes, but was given a wake-up call in the first round when she lost by pin. Not one to a spend a lot of time focusing on the past, Amie regrouped from her loss and won five matches in a row to not only place third at the most prestigious national age group tournament in the country, but also earn her second All-American honor in only two years of competing. I had the opportunity to discuss Amie’s performance at Fargo with Idaho National Girl’s Head Coach Fred Bartlett and he stated the following, “Amie has only been in wrestling for a short period of time, but has the confidence that she can compete with anyone in the nation. The sky is the limit with Amie if she decides to compete at the next level and beyond.”

Networking is an essential skill set that encompasses personal communication, establishing relationships, as well as a means to build strong cohesion and comradery with others. Based on my observations and what I have learned about Amie, she has a natural ability to network with others. For instance, it is easy to spot Amie at wrestling duals and tournament competitions as it has become her tradition to wear a Stetson style cowboy hat throughout, especially during medal presentations. This is not just a cowboy hat; it is a hat covered from top to bottom with signatures from wrestlers, coaches, and fans from throughout the country, which includes 7x World and Olympic Champion Jordan Burroughs. More importantly, it has become an ingenious method for Amie to network with others as well as build strong friendships and comradery with wrestlers, coaches, and fans across the nation. According to Amie, she started this tradition at Fargo 2023 with the intent to have a person from every team sign it, which as of this writing has 49 out of 50 states represented.

As we enter the road to the 2024 Idaho State Championships, Amie is presently ranked #1 in Idaho and on course to challenge for a second state title. With the exception of an early season loss to nationally ranked Aurellia Ramos of Utah at the Rockwell Rumble (held in Herriman, Utah), Amie has had an exceptional season thus far winning tournaments at the Rollie Lane Invitational (Outstanding Wrestler), Tiger-Grizz, North Idaho Rumble, and more recently the Jaybird Memorial. Reflecting back to the day that Amie was encouraged by her science teacher to give wrestling a try, she has not looked back and to date has built quite an impressive list of accolades. Having said that, I do not believe she is content with what she has already achieved and is truly focused on continuous improvement and achieving the goals in front of her, regardless of any major challenge or obstacle that comes her way. History has shown that she embraces the process and even in the midst of a shortcoming or loss quickly regroups and moves forward.

Amie’s future has not been written, nor is anything guaranteed on the way. The one thing that is for sure is that she will put everything she has into all her goals in life. Her ability to network, create comradery, and put into motion a positive energy and enthusiasm in the sport of wrestling is noteworthy. I look forward to watching Amie’s journey in the years to come and only wish her the best in all her pursuits and to follow her dreams. Coach Brennan McTighe puts Amie’s journey into perspective, “Amie’s goals are constantly getting bigger and she works towards them with everything she has. What once started as a desire to be a state champion, quickly evolved into becoming a Fargo All-American, and now a national champion…I truly believe that is well within her capabilities.”

More recently, I had the opportunity to perform a Q&A interview with Amie and we discussed her goals in wrestling, family, farming, and academics. Below is my Q&A. Enjoy!

Q&A INTERVIEW WITH AMIE HARTMAN

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING?

AMIE – Wrestling came into my life unexpectedly. I first got involved in my freshman year. My science teacher, who was the assistant wrestling coach at the time saw me beating on some boys in class and told me I should be a wrestler. I told him he was crazy, and my mom would never let me wrestle (she didn't know there was a girls' division), but he convinced me to go to one practice. After the first practice I was hooked. I had my first tournament with only about a week of wrestling experience and ended up placing second. I lost that finals match to the girl who later beat me at state in the finals that first year. Losing that match in my first tournament got me hooked on the sport. I wanted to become the best version of myself. 

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN WRESTLING?

AMIE – The biggest influence in my wrestling career has been my club coach Brennan McTighe. At the end of my freshman year, he started coaching at Mountain Man wrestling club. He asked me to join the club and that’s when I really started to take wrestling seriously. He showed me moves that would work for me and taught me that if and when I put in the effort results will be shown. The day I realized he was my biggest inspiration was the first day of Fargo in 2023. I lost my first match 2-2 by criteria. As I sat on the floor crying and thinking to myself “everything I have worked for is gone,” he came over to me. We had a long talk about how and what could be fixed, also what I could have done differently. Then he told me that even though I lost that match it doesn’t define the kind of wrestler I am. He told me that he believed in me, and to stop feeling sorry for myself, he said “use that anger to win the rest of your matches.”  I ended up placing 3rd. He helped me push through the times where I was burnt out, when I was tired and when I felt hopeless. He spent his entire summer helping me. There were times where he would hold extra open mat practices just to help me and my teammates improve. He taught me how to be the wrestler I am today. Seeing how much faith and time my coach has put into me has shown me what wrestling is all about. He has taught me to “embrace the suck” in times I haven’t wanted to. I am so proud to say he is my coach. 

NOW THAT YOU’RE WELL INTO YOUR JUNIOR SEASON, WHAT ARE YOUR SHORT- AND LONG-TERM GOALS AT MOUNTAIN HOME?

AMIE – My short-term goals are to finish the season strong and win state. I am hoping to participate at the National freestyle Fargo Championships again this year and win it. A long-term goal of mine is to inspire other girls at Mountain Home high school to participate in the wrestling program. In the past year we have had good numbers at our junior high school level, and I hope they continue to high school wrestling. At state in 2022 and ‘23 our girls' team was able to place 3^rd and 2^nd respectively with only a team of three. The coaches at Mountain Home are running a great program and it would be great to have enough girls to win some more team titles in the future. Coach Starkey has helped me push through physical and mental challenges and set high expectations for myself. 

HAVING HAD SOME GREAT SUCCESS AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER, DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE AND YOUR OUTLOOK IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

AMIE – In addition to high school season practices, in the offseason I put in 4 practices a week. I put in regular time at the weight room and I often go on runs. I also travel to find better opponents to wrestle at tougher tournaments at events all over the country. I want to thank Fred Bartlett and Team Idaho USA and Mountain Man Wrestling Club for giving me those opportunities. I constantly set new smaller goals to work toward alongside my larger goals. In the years ahead I hope to go to bigger tournaments and wrestle my absolute best at every one of those. Overall, I want to improve and keep on improving.

DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND WRESTLING EXPERIENCE AT MOUNTAIN HOME HIGH SCHOOL.

AMIE – Starting my freshman year grades weren’t a priority for me. After I joined wrestling, it taught me that discipline and commitment shouldn’t only be shown on the mat, but in every aspect of your life. Sophomore year hit and I realized I had a true talent for wrestling, and if I wanted to wrestle at the next level I would have to work harder academically and not just physically. I've been able to bring up my GPA significantly. 

WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS AT MOUNTAIN HOME HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND?

AMIE – My academic goals at Mountain Home is to improve my GPA even more. In college, I would like to either get a coaching degree or a business degree of some sort.  

DO YOU HAVE AMBITIONS OF COMPETING IN COLLEGE OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION?

AMIE – I do have ambitions of competing in the college and international level. I am hoping to find a great college wrestling program and hopefully cut down to a weight class so I can wrestle at the international level. Since there are not many international weight classes for higher weights I have less of an opportunity than the lighter weights. I would like to see a 200lb weight class added to the girls bracket here in Idaho!

IS THERE AN OLYMPIAN, COLLEGIATE LEVEL WRESTLER, COACH OR SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE SPORT OF WRESTLING THAT YOU WANT TO ASPIRE TO BE SOMEDAY?

AMIE – I am very grateful for the women that showed up when there were no other girls to wrestle and paved the way for women’s wrestling. Without them, I wouldn't have the opportunities I have now. I believe that it is good to have role models to look up to, but it is important to aspire to be the best version of yourself.

WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED IN WRESTLING THAT APPLIES IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

AMIE – A life lesson I have learned in wrestling that has applied to my day-to-day life is that “if you are afraid to fail you will never succeed”. You learn more from failures than you do from winning. If you go into life always fearing that you are going to fail most of the time you are. I would rather go into a match thinking I am going to win and do my absolute best and then lose, than I would going into a match already accepting I am going to lose. Failure has affected my wrestling career in the best way possible. Failure shows me how much more work I need to put into practice and how to be humble. The most impactful failure I’ve ever experienced was my state finals match my freshman year. I went up against a great wrestler that I had lost to all year. She beat me in the 3rd period. All I wanted in the world was to win that match. But if I had won that match, I wouldn’t be the wrestler I am today. I took that loss and made the choice to put all of my effort into off season practices. I had a great partner, Wesley Hodges that pushed me every day to get better. Then my sophomore season rolled around, and I went undefeated and won state against the same girl. The life lesson I learned was to never accept failure, it is okay to fail but you should never accept it as final. Wrestling has taught me to keep goals for myself, it has taught me to hold myself accountable and to never give up on my dreams. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG WRESTLER WANTING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING OR IN LIFE?

AMIE – Some advice I would give to a young wrestler would be to not be afraid to do hard things. Sometimes being great at something means you have to make sacrifices. Sometimes you have to sacrifice going out with friends, eating a full meal and even your horse. Often times goals change, when I was younger all, I wanted was to be was a barrel racer, but wrestling stepped in and my priorities changed. Sometimes making that sacrifice can make all the difference. Success isn’t given it is earned. 

WHAT OTHER GOALS DO YOU HAVE IN LIFE?

AMIE – A life goal I have is to make a difference. I want to impact someone’s life the way my coaches have made an impact on mine. I would like to (in the future of course) start a family and have kids. I also would like to be involved in agriculture in some fashion, whether that is a degree in business agriculture or my own ranch. 

DO YOU HAVE A SAYING, MOTTO OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?

AMIE – I know it sounds a little girly but… “look pretty-wrestle pretty” often times I’ve gotten a lot of criticism from wearing makeup when I wrestle, but I believe that in a mostly male dominate sport it is acceptable for females to be both fierce and feminine. Cultures all over the world have variations of war paint, this is my variation. So much of wrestling is mental and about having confidence. I believe you should do what makes you feel confident. The saying “confidence is key” is also something I live by. Most of my matches are won because I believe that I can win, and that I will win. 

ONCE YOU ARE DONE COMPETING, DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH WRESTLING?

AMIE – Once my high school career is over, I hope to go to college and wrestle. I hope to get a degree in coaching and possibly become a college coach. I hope to spread the love for women’s wrestling and be an advocate for women’s sports all around. I think female wrestlers would benefit from having a female head coach. Female wrestlers often experience physical challenges that male coaches don’t have prospective on. I have faith that I can make a difference in women’s wrestling. 

OUTSIDE THE SPORT OF WRESTLING, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES, SPORTS, AND FAMILY FUNCTIONS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

AMIE – Outside of wrestling I enjoy welding, leather working and baking. I have enjoyed raising pigs through the 4-H program and participating in FFA. I have tried everything! As a kid, I tried basketball, soccer, karate, dance, drama productions, and softball. I even did a season throwing for track. My parents were great at letting me try things out until I found my passion. 

Wrestling takes up a lot of my time so unfortunately, I had to give up what used to be my main hobby, which was rodeo. One of my new favorite things to do is have people sign my cowboy hat. This is a way to keep my old hobby rodeo and wrestling connected. I started my signature hat in Fargo North Dakota. I had a goal to have a person from every team at Fargo sign my hat. I now have 49 out of the 50 states. I started this goal to expand my contacts to every state. I love having conversations with people and finding out how wrestling has impacted their life. Another tradition I love to do is wear my hat and boots on the podium.

ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PROFILE

SCHOOL: Mountain Home H.S. 

GRADE: 11 (Class of 2025)

WRESTLING CLUB: Mountain Home WC

WEIGHT: 235

NATIONAL RANKING: #16 (FLO)

ACADEMIC ACCOLADES

GPA: 3.1

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Future Farmers of America (FFA)
• 4H Program
• Weightlifting

WRESTLING ACCOLADES

• Jaybird Memorial Champion ’24

• North Idaho Rumble Champion ’24
• Rockwell Rumble – 2^nd Place ‘24
• Tiger-Grizz Invitational Champion ’24
• Rollie Lane Invitational Champion/*OW ’24
• Fargo Nationals – 3^rd Place/ALL-AMERICAN ’23
• Team Idaho – Junior National Duals ’23
• USA Junior Western Regional Greco – 2^nd Place ’23
• USA Junior Western Regional Freestyle – 2^nd Place ’23
• Idaho Freestyle State Champion ’23
• Idaho Greco State Champion ’23
• Idaho High School State Champion ‘23
• IHSAA District IV Champion ’23
• Tiger-Grizz Invitational Champion ’23
• Jaybird Memorial Champion ’23
• Rollie Lane Invitational Champion ’23
• Team Idaho – Junior National Duals ‘22
• Idaho Freestyle State Champion ‘22
• Idaho Greco State Champion ‘22
• USAW H.S. National Recruiting Showcase – 2^nd Place/ALL-AMERICAN ‘22
• Idaho High School State Championships – 2^nd Place
• IHSAA District IV Champion ‘22
• North Idaho Rumble Champion ‘22
• Tiger-Grizz Invitational Champion ‘22