Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Alexis Ross of Fort Dodge grabs Waverly-Shell Rock’s Annika Behrends on Saturday in Coralville. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

CORALVILLE — Alexis Ross was so close to accomplishing her lifelong dream, but in the end the Fort Dodge sophomore, came up just short of earning the school’s first-ever girls state wrestling championship on Saturday.

A year after earning a bronze medal, Ross was so close she could taste it at the IWCOA tournament. A late flurry from Annika Behrends denied the Dodger in the 132-pound finals by a score of 7-5.

“Obviously not what I came for,” Ross said. “I feel I lost that match to myself. I made mistakes that cost me in the end.”

Standing in the way of the top-seeded Ross was Behrends, the third seed from Waverly-Shell Rock. Behrends was a state runner-up last season to Abby McIntyre of Glenwood.

Ross (12-1) fell behind 2-0 early, as she was penalized for locked hands and a stalling call.

After a scoreless secon, Ross escaped 10 seconds into the final period to cut the lead to 2-1. The Dodger sophomore took a 3-2 lead with a takedown and a 5-2 advantage with two near-fall points with 26 seconds left on the clock.

Behrends, a state champion as a freshman, reversed Ross with six seconds left to pull within 5-4, then sealed the victory with three near-fall points as the clock expired.

“We have that crappy feeling that we had last year,” said FDSH girls head coach Jon Koenig. “It will take Alexis a while to digest it, but she can’t let it eat her away. She has to use it as fuel.”

Ross reached the state finals after three falls in the early rounds.

“We will definitely be able to bounce back and have a different outcome next year,” Koenig said.

In the first round, it took Ross 1:28 to pin Jazmine Murdock of Sioux City West. She then beat Brynn Miller of Pleasantville in 1:39.

To set up the title match, Ross pinned Bailey Cox of New Hampton/Turkey Valley in 2:58.

“I just have to get back to work and fix the little things,” Ross said. “I will be back next season to get what I’ve been working for all 12 years of my career.”