Matejovsky Makes Wrestling History, Ready For Upcoming Season

When Anna Matejovsky joined her first AAU wrestling club at the age of 8, her parents were sure she would fall in love with the sport.

Much to their surprise, that was not the case.

“I didn’t want to be there at all,” Matejovsky said. It was something that had to grow on me.”

Everything changed two weeks into the season when she earned a second-place trophy at her first tournament From that point on, her parents no longer had to force her out the door to practice.

Fast forward seven years to 2024, the start of Matejovsky’s eighth-grade year. Wolf Point High School and its coaches decided she was good enough to compete on the high school team.

Good enough turned out to be an understatement.

Wrestling in the 120-pound weight class, Matejovsky managed a 46-2 record. Halfway through the season, her goals went from just competing at the state tournament to winning at the state level.

As the wins piled up and the regular season came to a close, many wondered: Could she be the first eighth-grade girl in Montana to win a state wrestling title?

At the Eastern B-C divisional meet in Huntley Project, Matejovsky pinned every opponent for the title — in 42 seconds, in 59 seconds, and the last in 1:47 seconds.

But the week leading up to the state wrestling tournament at the Metra, the entire team fell ill. Energy was low, sleep was more important than practice, and mental toughness was put to the test. “We all came down with the same thing, and it was awful,” Matejovsky said. “Practice was extremely challenging leading up to the state meet, and I simply didn’t have the energy to do much.”

Luckily, Matejovsky knew a thing or two about pushing through pain and fatigue.

“I knew I had a shot at winning, but also knew it wouldn’t be handed to me,” Matejovsky said. “I went in knowing that anything could happen and that I would have to work even harder while being sick.”

The first two matches in her debut at the state tournament went as planned, resulting in a pin and a fall, respectively, in under two minutes each.

As she stepped into the electrifying arena on Saturday night and took her place in the parade of finalists, she couldn’t help but be overcome with emotion. Energetic fans filled the stands, while supporters from all across the state proudly displayed their school colors.

Matejovsky thought of all the hard work she put in training against her 152-pound wrestling partner, Jesse Reed. The hours spent in the weight room, the early morning training sessions, and summer workouts were all preparation for this very moment.

“I got so much stronger wrestling against him,” Matejovsky said. “He taught me how to work my angles more effectively and how to get out of tough positions.”

She thought of her dad, her role model, and all the hours they spent together in the gym – even the days she didn’t want to be there. She glanced at him one last time before her name was called.

Just four minutes and 55 seconds after Matejovsky shook hands with Billings West’s Elise MacDonald, who came into the match with a 33-4 record, the match ended with a pin.

Matejovsky had done it. She immediately ran to hug her dad and her coach, Maestro Martinez, to let it all sink in.

“I was so overwhelmed and had to do an interview right away,” Matejovsky said. “I just wanted to find my family and friends.”

She is the first eighth-grade girl to win a state wrestling title in the state of Montana. Additionally, she brought Wolf Point its first girls’ wrestling title in program history.

After a town celebration, several calls and texts from family and friends, and some much-needed rest, Matejovsky slowly entered into off-season mode.

First up was a trip to Florida with an AAU Montana Team. They battled in Sidney, Dickinson, N.D., and Minneapolis before landing in Florida for a three-day tournament. Matejovsky wrestled girls from all over the U.S. and walked away with a 12-3 record and All-American honors.

“The Florida trip was awesome as it allowed me to meet people from the western side of the state,” Matejovsky said.

Through all the accomplishments and accolades, Matejovsky recognizes the challenges of the sport. She admits it can be hard to stay motivated every single practice, not to mention cutting weight from her natural 130 pounds to 120 pounds.

“The hardest part of wrestling for me is learning how to stay out of my head and not overthink things,” Matejovsky said. “Cutting weight can be hard on both my body and mind. I don’t always have the energy to go hard in practice when I’m cutting weight.”

And then there are the whispers of becoming the potential first five-time state champion. As well-meaning as they are, it’s something she tries to push to the back of her mind.

“People mention winning five titles quite often, actually, but that is not my main focus at all,” Matejovsky said.

As dedicated as she is, Matejovsky knows it’s important to make time for hobbies. For her, golfing and pottery allow her to have fun and be a kid.

And wrestling isn’t the only sport she excels in.

Matejovsky was a starter on the successful Wolf Point girls’ flag football team. The maroon and white won the divisional tournament and reached the semi-final game at the state tournament in Hamilton before losing in a double-overtime thriller to eventual champion Three Forks. She also placed fourth at state in the pole vault and was a starter for the volleyball team.

At the end of the day, there’s something that draws her back to the sport of wrestling.

“I love the environment of wrestling tournaments, and they are full of great people and sportsmanship,” Matejovsky said. “The gyms are always full of so much support.”

The wrestling community may have its eyes on Matejovsky’s opportunity to win five titles, and she is OK with that. She’ll continue to take it one day at a time, stay humble, and set her sights on her number one goal: a college wrestling scholarship.

And perhaps most of all, enjoy the history she’s already written.