Mia Palumbo made Illinois history in 2018 by becoming just the third girl to qualify for the Illinois High School Association state wrestling championships.

She then became the first to win a match, with a 4-2 win in the opening round of the Class 2A tournament. She later won again, 9-2 in the wrestlebacks, but came one win shy of the podium at 106 pounds.

Palumbo won freestyle national titles at both the Junior and Cadet levels, going 10-0 across both events while outscoring her opponents, 115-20.

She also won gold at USA Wrestling's preseason national championship in 2017.