-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge's Alexis Ross competes at the Don Miller Invitational.

WAVERLY — Alexis Ross loves competing on the big stage.

She just didn’t spend much time on the mat during the IWCOA state tournament on Friday.

The Fort Dodge sophomore picked up two first period falls to improve 13-0 on the season and advance to the quarterfinals.

“There’s high energy here,” Ross said. “I have a lot of support behind me and heading into the first match I had some nerves, but that’s nothing new.

“Once I got out on the mat it was business as usual.”

Ross, who received a bye in the first round, recorded a fall in 1:06 over Jasmine Mueller of Elkader in the second round of her 132 pound match.

The third-ranked Dodger waisted no time in the third round, pinning Dubuque Wahlert’s Rachel Eddy in 32 seconds.

“In the second match, I was a little more relaxed,” Ross said. “It’s always nice to start a tournament out with a win.”

Now the competition level steps up for Ross, who will face second-ranked (138) Evah Owens (11-0) of Central City in the quarterfinals today.

“Once she got going and put all the seeding and placement stuff out of her mind, she did what she needed to,” said Fort Dodge coach Jon Koenig. “We just kept telling her to do what she’s been doing the last couple of years and stay out of her head and keep moving forward.”

St. Edmond sophomore Elly Berry suffered a 9-2 loss to Julie Wheeler of Mount Vernon in her first round match at 126 pounds, but bounced back with a fall over Ellie Fuller-Long of Durant in 3:19.

Berry was knocked out after losing by fall to Emily Waters of Anamosa in 42 seconds.

Humboldt will send three wrestlers into the quarterfinals. Eighth-ranked junior Kendal Clark (8-1) spent only seven seconds on the mat before pinning Dubuque Wahlert’s Paige Hummel and will compete in the 170 pound quarterfinals.

Maria Elizond (6-3) will also be in the 170 pound quarters after a fall over Elizabeth Fox of Sumner-Fredericksburg.

Deni McDaniel (6-3) won three matches on the day, winning by decision in the opening round, fall in the second and a 6-0 decision over LeMars’ Juli Herrera in the third round.

Mady Lange (7-2) is still in action at 126 pounds. She won her first 126 pound match by fall over Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson’s Rodnesia Smith-Carter. She lost in the third round, but bounced back with a fall on the consolation side.

Kirstyn Beaman (6-5) had a strong day, winning four matches. Beaman won her first match by fall before losing in the second round. She then reeled off two falls and a decision on the consolation side.

Ashly Sutterfield (106), Abby Saturn (113), Baylie Beers (126) and Kali Beaman (138) all won a match for the Wildcats.

Algona’s Radaisyia Thomas (12-2) won a match on the championship side and consolation side for the Bulldogs.

Sophie Degner (152) won two matches, including a fall over teammate Madi Gifford on the consloation side.

East Sac Coutny’s Kiersten Carroll (113) and Olivia Villegas (126) all won one match.

After losing in the first round, South Central Calhoun’s Delanie Westcott (13-5) won two consolation matches at 132 pounds by fall.

Action is set to begin at 8:30 a.m.