Lanaia Selig Caps an Amazing Summer with a Trip to the Fargo Podium

It's been a summer to remember for Bonney Lake's Lanaia Selig, who capped it off by becoming a national All-American at the Fargo Nationals, the biggest tournament on the wrestling calendar.

Selig has spent most of the year giving up size to older, more physically developed opponents and beating them anyway.

“They were bigger than me, and an example is during high school season I was at least always 8-10 pounds under weight,” Selig said.

That gap hasn't slowed her down, and this summer was the proof.

A Spring That Set the Stage

Selig's summer breakthrough didn't come out of nowhere. In March, at the Folkstyle national championships in Iowa, she won the Junior Girls title at 95 pounds, then turned around and reached the 16U Girls final that same weekend, an incredibly demanding double run. She came up just short in that second final, dropping an 8-6 decision, but walked away from the weekend with a national title and a runner-up finish to show for it.

A month later, she picked up a third-place finish at the Women's Nationals at 95 pounds. Then in May, at the Western Regionals, she swept three titles, 16U freestyle, 16U Greco, and Junior Greco, all at 95 pounds, punching her ticket to Fargo.

Fighting Back at Fargo

Fargo isn't just another summer tournament. Held every July in Fargo, North Dakota, USA Wrestling's Junior and 16U Nationals draw thousands of the top high school-age wrestlers in the country, and for many in the sport, it's considered the biggest, most prestigious event of the year. Just qualifying is an accomplishment. Placing at it is another thing entirely.

Selig did both, becoming a first-time Fargo All-American at 95 pounds. Her semifinal match was the kind of fight that defines a season.

“At Fargo in my semifinal match I was losing 6-0 in the second round and then I got to my attack to get a 4 point move which made the score 6-4,” Selig said. “In that moment I was happy because I was keeping myself in the match giving me the opportunity to come back. Unfortunately I ended up losing 8-4.”

She wrestled back for third place but came up short there as well, ultimately finishing fourth, a result that still made her a national All-American.

Not Satisfied Yet

For a wrestler with a list of accomplishments this long after just one year of high school, Selig isn't short on bigger goals.

“If you mean one I think I can get the soonest, that would be state champ,” Selig said. “But World team member and hopefully world champion is held close to me and something I really wish to do in the near future, as well as my other goals that I hope to accomplish as well.”

A state title, a Super 32 title, and a spot on the World Team are all still ahead of her. Given the year she just had, giving up weight and coming out ahead anyway, it's hard to bet against her getting there.