Haley Heffel’s hard work on the mat continues to pay off.
The Westlock wrestling product won a gold medal at the Senior Canadian Wrestling Nationals, held March 22-24 in Saskatoon, Sask.
“It felt pretty good,” the University of Alberta kinesiology student said.
“It was a pretty important tournament, I suppose. Not just because it was nationals, but because my opponent in my weight class beat me two weeks earlier at USports. I ended up beating her, so it was a pretty big deal for me.”
Heffel said she was also excited to take on two new opponents she had never faced before in the round robin portion of the tournament.
“It was really exciting, just having that uncertainty,” she said, and being in front of a national audience didn’t bother her at all.
“I’m really lucky that when I step onto the mat I can block out a lot of that stuff. When I step on the mat, I’m totally focused, just looking at the person I’m going to wrestle like it’s go-time.”
In the immediate future, Heffel is also eyeing the upcoming U23 trials and she is clear about her intentions.
“I have every intention of making that team,” she said. “I really do believe that I’m competitive at the U23 level, even though I did lose my first match.”
Heffel has been around the world to represent Canada on the wrestling mat, with recent trips to Brazil and Romania to take on international opponents.
Her start though was in Westlock.
The former R.F. Staples School student is entering her 11th season and she hopes to be able to take it to the next level soon with the goal of making the Olympics in 2024.
Long term, a spot on the Canadian Olympic team has always been the goal.
She had her hopes set on the 2020, but circumstances have delayed that to 2024.
“2020 snuck up on me and injuries snuck up on me. I had to reevaluate, I’m obviously not ready for the 2020 Games, but I’m hoping 2024 is going to be my year,” said Heffel, who also recently underwent knee surgery.
She recalls her days in Westlock, going to a wrestling practice with her sister and by the next practice, she was on the mat herself and hasn’t looked back.
“For me, it was all the different body types of people that can wrestle because it is a weight-class sport,” said Heffel, who competes in the 65-kilogram division.
“There’s a spot for everybody. Not only that, while it is a team sport, it’s also an individual sport when it’s just you and your opponent on the mat. If something happens, it’s because of you.”
She thanked the community for its constant support, which she said she feels every time she wrestles.
“I’m really lucky because I get that small town-support. I have so many people that wish me luck on social media, or when I run into them. I think I’m blessed and a lot of my teammates say I’m super lucky just to have that kind of support.”
