Local wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt makes second Olympic appearance

 

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- From Penn to Paris, 2011 Penn High School graduate Sarah Hildebrandt will compete in 50 kg weight class in women’s wrestling.

To be part of the 2024 Paris Olympics is an honor for her. To be back for a second time, that's earned, not given.

After winning bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Hildebrandt is back for gold in women’s wrestling.

“The bronze was an amazing accomplishment that I know I was super proud of her, but I know she wanted more,” said Sarah’s younger brother and trainer Drew Hildebrandt.

Drew is joining Sarah in her Paris, as she aims for Gold.

“At the end of the day, when she's stepping out on that mat, and she sees me, she sees a family she doesn't see just a regular coach, she sees a true family member,” Drew added.

Sarah is keeping the family close on her Olympic journey.

That includes her Penn High School wrestling coach Brad Harper.

“It's been incredible to have such an awesome family to be part of our program for 18 years,” Harper said.

As a decorated Olympian, Sarah has impacted those who have seen and been around her for years.

“I really like supporting her because my dad has been coached her and I've like been with her throughout the years ever since my dad has been with her so I'm just very excited and happy to get this moment to be with an Olympian,” Brad’s daughter Mackinsie Harper said.

The moment with an Olympian will begin July 31 as Mackenzie and Brad will travel across the pond to join the Hildebrandts in Paris to see how her story ends this time.

“I literally pinch myself. It's like a dream. Like, who knew as a, you know, our program, we'd be having two, two wrestlers going to the Olympics. You know what I mean? Drew state champion, training his sister to win the Olympic gold medal. I mean, that's going down here, August 6,” Harper said.

Before seeing Sarah in action, Drew told us what moves Sarah will pull out of her bag to bring home the gold.

“You know, look for her to get to her single leg. She's so great there. Obviously, a lot of opponents know what's coming. So maybe we have some surprises coming for Paris that we've been working on, Drew said.

Sarah’s first match will be August 6.

Wrestling begins at 5 a.m. EST.