Both Ross and Berry advanced to the quarterfinals at 132 pounds, as the local duo went a combined 4-0 with four falls.

Quarterfinal action will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Xtream Arena.

“It definitely means a lot for Elly. She has been working so hard,” said SEHS head coach Eugene Carlson. “Her mental and physical preparation is higher than some (of the field) because she is still going up against boys every day in practice.

“It has definitely been a great progression for her.”

Photo by Tyler Anderson, Graphic-Advocate: Elly Berry of St. Edmond is hugged by her coach on Friday in Coralville.

Ross, who finished third at state last year, was dominant on Friday. She earned both of her victories via fall in the first period.

“Alexis was focused,” said FDSH girls wrestling coach Jon Koenig. “She got the No. 1 seed, but there are some girls who haven’t had a lot of mat time, so you don’t know exactly what you’re up against.

“She is excited for the simplicity of being able to wrestle two matches in the opener and then the quarterfinals on the second day, instead of just jumping into the semifinals. She still has a lot of progress to make.”

After receiving a bye, Ross (10-0) pinned Sioux City West’s Jazmine Murdock in 1:28 of her first match at 132. In the third round, it took 1:39 to stick Pleasantville’s Brynn Miller.

Up first on Saturday for Ross will be Osage’s Katerina Smith (8-2). Smith had two falls on the day as well.

Berry, who went 1-2 as a state participant last year, also earned a bye in the opening round. During her first match, Berry (8-2) pinned Humboldt’s Claire Weydert (11-10) in 1:53.

“It felt amazing to get back on the mat,” Berry said. “Pinning those two girls boosted my confidence.

“Being in the quarterfinals is super exciting, and I can’t wait to see the end result.”

In the third round, Berry pinned Valley’s Jazmyn Knutson in 4:37.

Now the St. Edmond junior will face Waverly-Shell Rock standout Annika Behrends, who was a state finalist in 2020. Behrends is 11-0 and the thrid seed in the field.

“It’s in her hands now,” Carlson said. “Elly has to come out with a high level of energy and intensity.”

Fort Dodge freshman Dari Cook (113) lost both of her matches on Day 1. Cook lost by fall in her opener, and then dropped a tough 6-3 decision.

“Dari is defintely disappointed about not advancing,” Koenig said. “I tried to tell her, remember this feeling. She had a goal of making it to the podium. Itjust didn’t work out that way.

“I told her she should be sitting here talking about how she made it as a freshman. Sometimes it’s not the way you want it, but we just need to sit down and look at the film and see the good things she did and work on some of things that she didn’t do right.”