LebCo Athlete of the Week: Dakota Dengler (Week Ending January 26, 2025)

Sponsored by Lebanon Federal Credit Union & WiLBuR / Froggy Valley 100.1

If you like this type of coverage, please let us know by Following us on social media:

Twitter/X – @lebcosports1 and Facebook.

For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.

Dakota Dengler

At the Lancaster Lebanon League Wrestling Championships, Northern Lebanon has four of its female wrestlers medal. Among the Vikings that reached the podium was freshman Dakota Dengler. Competing at 142 pounds, Dengler made quick work of her first two opponents, pinning them in :29 and :57. In the finals, she battled for nearly three minutes against a much more experienced competitor before settling for silver at her first League Championships. Given her outstanding performance and shiny medal, Dengler was also recognized as a LebCo Athlete of the Week by our readers.

About her experience at Leagues, Kota said, “It was an exciting opportunity as it was my first Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship. While the final match result may not have gone my way, it was a chance for me to learn and gave me plenty to work on moving forward this season.”

For Dengler, she has put a lot of work into improving her own abilities. Still, that effort may be rivaled by how she has approached the team aspect of wrestling. Speaking about her role on the team, “I’m hoping to be able to continue to be a challenging practice partner, supportive team member, and an advocate and recruiter for girls wrestling. I know that my role isn’t just about individual success, but also about supporting my teammates, bringing energy to the room, and setting an example with my work ethic.”

Much of this team aspect was fostered in the youth football ranks, where she competed for several years as a member of Northern Lebanon Midgets. While Dengler was outnumbered by boys, she did not let this deter her competitive drive. She developed into an excellent and well-respected football player. It was also during football when her teammates convinced her to try wrestling. She decided to give it a shot.

About her first experience with trying wrestling, Dengler said, “It wasn’t love at first match, but rather took a year or two for me to enjoy the sport.”

She went on to say, “Now, I can’t imagine life without it.”

Outside of competing in folkstyle wrestling for the school, Dengler spends many hours training for freestyle wrestling. The year-round love affair with wrestling even led to her to traveling to North Dakota this past summer to compete in the 2024 Fargo National Championships.

As a result of her dedication to multiple wrestling disciplines, Dengler has amassed a “small army of coaches and teammates that push me daily.” She is thankful for them: “Through tough practices, lifting sessions, wins, and losses – their patience and dedication are a daily inspiration.” Dengler is also thankful to her parents and her brothers for their “unwavering support” that allows her to excel in what she loves.

She is hopeful that her hard work translates into her coaches, teammates, and family being able to support her at the Giant Center this March, fulfilling a goal to end her freshman season at the PIAA State Championships.

While Dengler’s main focus may be wrestling, it is worth noting that in addition to football, she was one of the top junior high Track & Field athletes during her middle school years at Cedar Crest before transferring this year. Far from being a one-trick pony, she also used to ride horses competitively. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active with activities that include hiking and hunting.

Looking ahead, Dengler has time to decide on what she wants to do for a career but knows that she would like to wrestle collegiately. With women’s wrestling programs beginning to develop nationally at the university level, Dengler’s choices could expand in the next three years. She currently has West Point penciled in as her dream school.

No matter which direction her future takes her, Dengler would like to find opportunities to someday coach and mentor young wrestlers, helping them to have a rewarding experience like she has had competing in the sport.

One interesting fact about Dengler is that her favorite pre-tournament meal is “wings or lasagna.” She admits, “My coaches might not be too thrilled to hear that!”

From an outsider’s point of view, her unconventional dietary choices seem to be working. After finishing 3rd at the Upper Dauphin Lady Trojan Invitational this past weekend, Dengler now has a record of 20-5. Thirteen of her victories have come as the result of her pinning her opponents.

As Dengler continues collecting victories, we wish her all the best. We will be watching closely as she attempts to extend her first varsity season to the PIAA State Championship Tournament.

Photos for this article were provided courtesy of Susan Dengler (Owlcatraz Photography)

 For more on Dengler’s teammates & other LebCo wrestlers who medaled at Leagues, check out: Lancaster League Wrestling Championships: LebCo Wrestlers Combine for Thirty-Two Medals, Three Gold; ELCO Finishes 2nd Overall

Be on the lookout for a features about fellow LebCo Athletes of the Week: Karter Adams & Kenzie Eckhart

For a full list of this week’s nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting: January 20 – 26

Previous Winners

Mya Doster (Week of December 2nd)

Olivia Shutter (Week of December 2nd)

Kaila Francis (Week of December 9th)

Liliana Harrison (Week of December 9th)

Lily Harchuska (Holidays)

Maddie Stout (Holidays)

Qynne Demler (Week of January 6th)

Hayley Sheroky (Week of January 6th)

Susie Hoffman (Week of January 13th)