On Tuesday, April 15, a table in Palmer, Alaska, showcased three 8×10 photographs. Seated behind the table was Amelia Fawcett, a four-time All-American wrestler.
“(They) are three very strong women who passed away, and aren’t able to be with me physically, but they are here with me, and I felt (their presence),” she shared.
Fawcett, an 18-year-old Alaska Native from Wasilla, was surrounded by around 30 friends, family, coaches, and both current and former teammates at the Pioneer Grappling Academy, where she honed her wrestling skills for many years.
This gathering served as a ceremony, a kind of potlatch. Fawcett was officially signing to compete at Life University in Marietta, Georgia.
One of the images displayed on the signing table depicted Fawcett alongside her Tlingit great-grandmother, Roberta Amelia Fawcett, who passed in December 2020. Her great-grandmother hailed from the Eagle Wolf Clan, or Kaagwaantaan. “The photo of me and my great grandma was us playing Rummy, which was our favorite thing to do together,” Fawcett noted.
Fawcett’s name honors her great-grandmother, and the two enjoyed playing Rummy as a Thanksgiving tradition. These cherished moments allowed Fawcett’s great-grandmother to pass down Tlingit and Haida oral histories that emphasize the importance of history, knowledge, and cultural values.
Another photograph featured her older sister and Auntie Carolyn in Seattle, Washington. “It was the first time I went out of state,” Fawcett recalled. “Carolyn was my mom’s big sister. She passed away in August 2024.”
Additionally, there was a photo with Maria Cramer, who tragically lost her battle with breast cancer in February 2024. Cramer was one of Fawcett’s coaches at the club level and the spouse of Vince Cramer, the head coach and owner of the Pioneer Grappling Academy. Fawcett started her wrestling journey as the only girl in the club, with Cramer looking after her like a surrogate mentor.
Cramer advocated for a dedicated practice space for the girls, prompting her husband to construct an extension at the Pioneer Grappling Academy. “It’s a one-mat room and that’s what we call the Cave,” Fawcett explained. “It’s where we hold our women’s practices, and it was really awesome having her do that for us. It meant a lot to do it there, not just because it is the women’s wrestling room, but because Miss Maria created it specifically for us.”
Fawcett has now committed to spending the next four years at Life University, and it is in the Cave where her dedication to this journey takes root.
“She’s such an amazing person,” said Ashley Flavin, the head coach for women’s wrestling. “I think she’s going to be capable of such great things.”
Life University is known as home to the Running Eagles. But this name holds more significance than mere charm, as it is rooted in Indigenous history. According to the school’s website and the U.S. National Park Service, Brown Weasel Woman, born into the Piegan Blackfeet Tribe, was celebrated for her strong commitment to family and community.
She participated in buffalo hunts and heroically saved her father during an enemy raid. Following his death and her mother’s illness, she assumed the role of caretaker for her family, later sharing responsibilities with a widow, thereby allowing her to return to hunting.
In one notable account, after rival tribes stole the Blackfoot’s horses, Brown Weasel Woman demanded to join the war party to reclaim them. Initially told to stay behind, she insisted on going alone if necessary. Ultimately, the group conceded, and together they successfully retrieved the herd. That night, she stood guard and thwarted further attempts by Crow warriors to seize the horses again—reportedly taking down one or more intruders and safeguarding the herd.
Her valor and prowess earned her the name Pi’tamaka, meaning “Running Eagle”—a title representing someone who transcends ordinary limits.
“It’s a great backstory,” commented Fawcett’s father and coach, Andrew Fawcett. “And I was just like, wow, that’s almost meant to be. It’s a really good choice,” he expressed.
Choosing to relocate over 4,200 miles away was not a decision taken lightly.
“There’s some anxiety,” her father shared. “Sadly, my little girl’s moving away. That’s always going to feel a bit unsteady, but I know she’s pursuing her dream. So that makes me happy,” he stated.
In Alaska Native culture, community and family are held in high regard, regarded as essential for both individual and collective well-being.
However, Flavin has cultivated a community focused on diversity within the team. “It’s really important to us that we continue to get athletes from all different walks of life and backgrounds,” Flavin commented. “I think it enriches the lives of everyone around us and helps us understand people better.”
The women’s wrestling team recently celebrated a remarkable victory,
The NAIA National Championships mark a significant milestone for the team this year. Flavin describes the roster with a creative analogy, likening it to a patchwork quilt. “When you look at all of the pieces just spread out,” she explained, “if you look at all these different people, you think, how does that fit together? But when we put them together, it makes this beautiful quilt.”
Fawcett was awarded a partial scholarship and intends to major in business.
“I feel relaxed now,” Fawcett expressed after making her decision, “now that I know where I’m going.”
To celebrate, Fawcett adorned the Cave with green and black balloons, the colors of her school.
“The Cave is a special place at our club gym,” Fawcett’s father remarked. “It was built just for the girls. We joke around and say, it’s the room that Amelia built.”
Following the signing, Fawcett felt emotional as she reflected on Cramer’s influence in her life. “Miss Maria would tell me how proud she is and how amazing I’ve done… and how much I’ve accomplished as a wrestler and as a person.”
Fawcett is set to compete in the U.S. Open Championships in Las Vegas from April 23 – 27. Last month, she claimed first place at the Folkstyle National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
This victory was the first step in her quest for the Triple Crown.
As defined by USA Wrestling, the Triple Crown is awarded to those who win three USA Wrestling age-group national events within the same season.
Originally exclusive to boys, the award has recently broadened to be inclusive of all girls’ age groups. For boys, the applicable events are the Folkstyle Nationals, the Freestyle Nationals, and the Greco-Roman Nationals.
Since there is no national Greco-Roman event for girls in the age-group category, the criteria for girls differs slightly.
Earlier this month, Fawcett finished fourth in the Under 20 Division and sixth in the Under 23 Division at the Women’s National Team Trials. Although she didn’t meet her goals this time, she retains her opportunities by aiming for victory at the Recruiting Showcase in Las Vegas, followed by the Junior Nationals in Fargo this July.
“Amelia doesn’t really sweat these awards,” Fawcett’s father noted. “She thinks they’re cool, but it’s why she excels. She doesn’t chase glory; she kind of wrestles for herself.”
After her signing event, Fawcett remained unfazed by the spotlight. “Everyone there was a loved one, so it wasn’t awkward,” she mentioned. “I’ve never been to a signing party. I think mine was pretty awesome.”
She highlighted that her community was integral to her journey, emphasizing that everyone played an essential role.
After taking pictures, they tidied up as Fawcett prepared for practice, attending to some last-minute details. There are certainly more ceremonies on the horizon for her.
