Messenger photos by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge’s Alexis Ross takes on Deni McDaniel of Humboldt at the Don Miller Invitational. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Alexis Ross loves wrestling, and when she competes in front of the Dodger community, the excitement level intesifies for the Fort Dodge Senior High sophomore.

For the third straight season, Ross came away with a Don Miller Invitational title. The Dodger competed as an eighth-grader, and also won a year ago as a freshman.

“It was nice to win the Don Miller, because this is now my third time winning it,” Ross said. “It’s always nice to win in front of your home town.”

For the second straight season, Ross pinned her way through the bracket, going 3-0 in the 127-134 division.

“Alexis did a great job going 3-0. She was dominant,” said Fort Dodge head coach Bobby Thompson. “She is a very motivated and dedicated wrestler.”

In her first match, she pinned Charles City’s Lilly Luft (3:33). In the second round, Ross earned a fall in 5:01 over Kylie Doty of Colfax-Mingo.

Ross, who has recovered from a recent ankle injury, secured gold in the finals with a pin over Humboldt’s Deni McDaniel (3:24).

“My ankle feels great as long as I’m wearing my brace. I don’t really notice I even hurt it when I’m out there doing what I love,” Ross said. “It’s always nice to compete at home with the Dodger community supporting. It feels like family and I truly love the energy.”

St. Edmond’s Elly Berry (125-132) finished second. Berry defeated Bre Hotovec of Humboldt by fall (1:30). She lost her second match to Meridan Snitker of Waukon, but bounced back with a fall in 2:59 over Charles City’s Elizabeth Oleson.

“It was really nice to compete (in the Don Miller Invitational) again,” Berry said. “I love wrestling tournaments against girls because it prepares me for girls state.

“I am super happy that I could have people watching and supporting me, and I’m happy with my progress.”

The Humboldt wrestling team brought 17 girls to Fort Dodge. Lillian Morey (90-113), Brett Harklau (121-126), Claire Weydert (126-131), Kailee Dettmann (130-137), Kali Beaman (136-140), Alexa Hemmelrick (144-151), Maria Elizondo (157-165) and Kendal Clark (178-187) all finished second for the Wildcats.

“The girls have been getting in a lot of matches,” said Humboldt head coach Chad Beaman. “We had 17 girls compete on Friday, and then 17 here on Saturday.

“We feel lucky and fortunate to have places for these girls to compete and have a season.”

Webster City’s Maddison Pulis (178-187) finished third.