The town of Acme had a population of 113 people in 2022 with only one general store and gas station, but it’s the home of one of the best female wrestlers in the country.
“It’s a big deal for all the girls that wrestle here who can say, ‘Why not me?'” Whatcom Wrestling Academy coach Aaron Tisinger said. “If (Emma Bruntil) can do it, we can make it from here.”
Bruntil, 25, is currently one of the top-ranked wrestlers for Team USA at the 68kg/149.75 pounds division. She is also a two-time state champion, two-time NCAA champion at McKendree University, two-time U.S. Open champion and placed fifth at the 2023 Senior Worlds. Bruntil won her first state title with Nooksack Valley in 2016 and second with Mount Baker in 2017.
“When you look statistically at someone from Acme wrestling in college and traveling the world, the probability is really low and I am grateful for the things I have done,” Bruntil said.
She did not compete in the 2024 Olympic Trials for Team USA because of a neck injury. When she competed in the 2023 Senior Worlds, Bruntil said she felt around 20 to 30% healthy. Her teammate, Amit Elor, won the 2023 Senior Worlds at 72kg and an Olympic gold medal in Paris in the 68kg division.
As Bruntil continues to heal during the offseason, she is hoping to develop the future generation of wrestlers across the Pacific Northwest and be a role model.
“It is really cool because there was no blueprint when I was growing up,” Bruntil said. “I didn’t have anyone to look up to when I was in this area. I am hopeful I can provide to girls that you don’t have to be from a place that is rich in the history of wrestling. You can achieve these things from a smaller place.”
When Bruntil began high school in 2014, Washington was one of six states that sanctioned girls wrestling. The other five states were Alaska, California, Hawaii, Tennessee and Texas. As of 2025, 46 state high school associations recognize girls wrestling.
Bruntil is supporting younger wrestlers by holding wrestling camps across the country. In her camps, she tries to show girls they can make it to the highest level regardless of their background, prove they can compete in a male-dominated sport, and teach them to follow their own paths.
“I want people to know that there are opportunities for them and they can take wrestling as far as they want to take it,” Bruntil said. “I’m a Nike athlete and I don’t know any athletes in Whatcom that are sponsored by them. I want them to know they should not be limited except for the limitations they put on themselves.”
Bruntil tries to return to Whatcom County a few times every year. She recently returned in early January and hosted camps at Bellingham BJJ on Jan. 11 and at Whatcom Wrestling Academy on Jan. 12.
“She always checks in with us when she is in the area,” Tisinger said. “It’s incredible to have her here because she is one of the most successful wrestlers from Washington.”
In her wrestling camp at Whatcom Wrestling Academy, she focused on preparing high school wrestlers for the postseason by doing drills, situational wrestling and live matches. She hosted two sessions at each camp.
“I really liked coming to this camp because it was a one-on-one experience compared to practices where coaches are focusing on an entire team,” Lake Washington junior Evie Hasiak said. “We are going over small things and with a lot of detail.”
Elizabeth Cox, a sophomore at Ferndale High, came to the camp to take advantage of an opportunity to work with Bruntil. She said it helped her learn how to move through positions better and be more confident in wrestling.
Bruntil also has camps planned across the U.S. and U.K. in February. She has also returned to McKendree University as an assistant coach while recovering from her neck surgery last fall, helping with some of the top wrestlers on the roster.
Once Bruntil is at full health and the season arrives, she will try to compete at the 2025 Senior Worlds in Croatia from Sept. 13-21.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
