All-American: Venyss Steingruber places at U.S. Marine Corps Women's National Championships

While she may only be in the fifth grade at Three Forks Elementary School, to say that Venyss Steingruber's wrestling resume is already strong might be an understatement.

Steingruber earned All-American honors with a seventh-place finish in the 12U 112-pound division earlier this month at the 2024 U.S. Marine Corps Women's National Championships in Spokane. This was her second straight All-American accolade at the prestigious USA Wrestling event after finishing sixth place in her fourth-grade year.

Along with the strong finish at Nationals, Steingruber was also the 2024 Montana State AAU Champion in the Girls Novice 120-pound division and won the largest tournament in the Treasure State with a first-place finish in the Girls Novice 122-pound division at the Montana Open in Billings.

Venyss also recently competed in the Montana Middle School Girls Championships as a fifth grader and placed sixth.

Having started wrestling at four years old, Steingruber has already fallen in love with the sport.

"I just love it, and I feel I can relate to my family while I'm doing it. I like the sport a lot, too, because I'm good at it," she said.

While admitting she felt sad because she wasn't entirely on her game at the 2024 National event in Spokane, Venyss said she did pretty good at the event in 2023 and was excited this year because a lot of her family could see her wrestle.

In her last year at TFES, Steingruber also discussed the goal and importance of starting a girls' middle school and high school team in Three Forks.

"I think it's pretty important. If the future generation of girls want to wrestle, I want them to have the chance to wrestle in middle school and high school," she said.

Once she gets to high school, Venyss said she wants to get better and keep improving. She added that it would be cool to continue wrestling in college, and her coach has discussed the goal of her competing in the Olympics.

As far as role models in the sport, Venyss said she looks up to three-time state high school champion Cole Rogers, her Coach Ryan Henry, and her dad because he was a good wrestler.