—Submitted photo Allix Williamson stands in the Campbell University wrestling room.

A path which perfectly aligned all of Allix Williamson’s passions led her to Buies Creek, North Carolina and Campbell University.

It was a case of both proactive networking and impeccable timing.

The 2013 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate became the Campbell wrestling program’s director of operations this past fall, giving Williamson an early introduction to real-world responsibilities at the Div. I level as she simultaneously completes her master’s degree through the University of Missouri — a school nearly 1,000 miles away from her current home.

“It’s a great time to be a woman in the sport of wrestling,” said Williamson, a decorated cheerleader at FDSH who also cheered at Wartburg University. “From recent high school grads like Felicity Taylor, to Iowans competing on the international level like Rachel Watters, incredible women are driving for positive change.

“(Head) coach (Cary) Kolat posted on Twitter in August that they were looking for a director of operations (at Campbell). I submitted my application, and the rest is history.”

Williamson’s background made her a natural fit for the job, even if the 23-year-old is just getting started professionally. While majoring in organizational and public relations at Wartburg, Williamson began pursuing endeavors linked to the sport she loved.

“I was a cheerleader at Wartburg, and unfortunately, was unable to continue due to injuries,” Williamson said. “I knew I wanted to stay involved in athletics, and was lucky enough to end up working as a manager under (head) coach (Eric) Keller for the three years I was there.

“While at Wartburg, I had an internship with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum, which led to an opportunity with USA Wrestling at various events leading up to the Olympic Games in Rio (in 2016).”

Williamson obtained her bachelor’s degree from Wartburg, then worked at both Upper Iowa University and Grand View University as an admissions counselor. She decided to pursue her master’s degree and enrolled at Missouri, where she is finishing up classes on-line and will graduate with her MEd in school, leadership and counseling psychology this spring.

“I loved working in higher education, and wrestling has always had a special place in my heart,” said Williamson, who also completed jobs at the World Championships in Las Vegas in 2015, the Pan-American Qualifier in Frisco, Tex. in 2016, and interned at IAWrestle in 2016. “Combine that with my educational background, and this job just seemed like a natural fit.”

Williamson handles a wide range of tasks for Campbell, including managing the facility, all social media accounts, writing, photography, graphic design and video. She also organizes itinerary for team travel, and assists coaches with recruiting endeavors.

“My short-term goal personally is to wrap up this master’s degree in the spring, but professionally, my short-term goal is to do my part to help Campbell wrestling develop as we approach the dual and conference portion of our season,” Williamson said. “I love wrestling and working in higher education, so if it would be possible to continue to have both in my life, that would be great.”

Williamson has been inspired by the recent surge of female influences in the sport, adding as a native Iowan, “it’s high time the IGHSAU brings together a group of people passionate about this sport to bring about change.”

“I am so proud and excited to see so many high schools around the state bringing women into the equation,” Williamson said. “Grand View University, (wrestling) coach Nick Mitchell and (athletic director) Troy Plummer are setting an incredible example (GVU recently announced it will add women’s wrestling as an official sport in either 2019 or 2020).

“It’s time the rest of the state follows suit.”

The sport has opened doors for Williamson to connect with a wide variety of people all across the country. That pursuit began to take shape during her formative years as a Dodger.

“My wrestling journey started in Fort Dodge as a cheerleader,” Williamson said. “I was able to sit matside for some of my favorite matches. When people out here ask me where I’m from, I say Iowa. But if they know wrestling, I tell them Fort Dodge.”