ROCHELLE — A trailblazer throughout her four years with the Rochelle Township High School wrestling program, Dempsey Atkinson achieved historic feats and emerged as a role model for younger athletes at RTHS. Rochelle’s first female wrestler to qualify for and medal at the IHSA State Championship, Atkinson will continue her academics and athletics at the collegiate level.

Atkinson has committed to wrestle at Quincy University, where she said she intends to study education. A three-time IHSA state qualifier and a two-time IHSA state medalist, Atkinson said her decision to choose Quincy began with a connection she formed with coach Jeff Haley during a Fargo camp. After visiting the campus and meeting the team, Atkinson made her choice.

“When I went on my visit, I really liked him as a coach and I could see myself being a part of that team,” Atkinson said. “I met some of the girls who are on the team and they were really nice, down-to-earth people. I loved everything about the campus and it was really small and homey. It means everything to me because I’ve really grown as a wrestler over these last four years while also doing other sports, so I’m excited to see how I do when I focus on one sport.”

Atkinson finished with a 24-3 record during her senior season, winning IHSA regional and sectional titles as well as the Interstate 8 Conference crown. Atkinson has medaled at the IHSA state tournament over each of her last two seasons, finishing sixth as a senior after taking fifth as a junior. Atkinson, who won six tournament titles during her senior season, is a two-time Interstate 8 champion and the first female wrestler at Rochelle to win a conference title.

“I’m a very smart wrestler and I can get out of positions easily,” Atkinson said. “I’m aware of where I’m at on the mat and I think I’m a scrappy wrestler. Hopefully in college, I’ll be able to show those traits. My coaches have always pushed me to be the best wrestler I can be, no matter what. I owe it all to them because if they never took a chance on me and welcomed me to the wrestling world, then I wouldn’t be able to go to college for wrestling or any sport. They always had faith in me and placed their trust in me, even when I faced tough losses.”

Atkinson went 21-7 during her junior season and 18-13 during her sophomore season. Atkinson, who primarily competed at the 145-pound weight class at RTHS, is a two-time Fargo qualifier and has wrestled both freestyle and greco-roman with the Forge Wrestling Club in Rochelle. A multi-sport athlete, Atkinson played four years of varsity volleyball at RTHS, earning Interstate 8 All-Conference honors as well as Rochelle’s Most Valuable Player honor during her senior year.

“Women’s wrestling in college is all freestyle, so doing all of the spring and summer stuff will help prepare me for the next four years,” Atkinson said. “Being a student-athlete, I’ve had to balance a lot over the last four years and I think that being active throughout my high school career will help me with my time management skills and balance college and athletics.” 

Atkinson played two years of varsity softball and is currently in her second year of varsity track and field with the Lady Hubs. Atkinson, who qualified for the Illinois Top Times Indoor State Meet in the high jump earlier this year and was an Interstate 8 All-Conference high jumper last year, has earned eight Academic All-Conference awards across her four sports at RTHS.