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Wildcat senior, team both finish as runner-ups

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla The Humboldt girls pose with their state wrestling runner-up team trophy on Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

CORALVILLE — When the Humboldt girls wrestling squad realized that they were in the hunt at the IWCOA state tournament on Saturday, the energy level picked up.

The Wildcats were 16 strong inside Xtream Arena, and they found a way to the runner-up position while returning home with two medalists as well as a team trophy.

Humboldt brought home silver after accumulating 124 points. Waverly-Shell Rock was the champion at 256.

“I’m super proud of the girls,” said Humboldt head coach Chad Beaman. “When they saw we were in the race, they took ownership of it and got after it.

“We brought 16 girls to the tournament. You could count 12, and we had 11 score.”

Senior Kendal Clark (170) was chasing her second straight state championship. Clark, who will attend DMACC next year and play softball, built an early 6-2 lead over Denver’s Morgan Smith in the 170-pound final.

Smith turned Clark and earned a fall, though, in 1:48.

“I know Kendal is disappointed, but she’s extremely happy for the team,” Beaman said. “What she’s done for our program and this school is remarkable. She is a five-sport athlete who just loves to compete.”

Clark, one of Humboldt’s most decorated female athletes ever, was the top seed. The Wildcat senior didn’t spend much time on the mat, earning a fall in 12 seconds over Kylie Wilems of AGWSR in her first match and then a fall in 19 seconds over Paris Dean of Spencer in the semifinals.

“Kendal’s had a huge impact on the wrestling team. Girls look up to her,” Beaman said. “Just the influence in bringing the other girls out has been significant.”

Junior Maria Elizondo (16-7) will now get a chance to build on her bronze-medal finish. Elizondo lost to eventual champion Samantha Speilbauer of Clayton Ridge by fall in their 160-pound semifinal.

Elizondo bounced back with a fall in 5:00 over Maggie Schroeder of Colfax-Mingo. She pinned Val Boleyn of North Fayette Valley (1:20) in the third place match.

Elizondo was 5-1 in the tourney with five falls.

“Maria is a tough kid,” Beaman said. “She had a super finish, placing third.”

Ten of Humboldt’s 16 qualifiers will return next season. There were five freshmen on the Wildcat roster as well.

East Sac County

Sophomore Kiersten Carrol had an eighth-place showing for East Sac County. Carrol (12-4) went 4-3 in the 113 pound bracket.

Carrol lost in SV-1 to Hannah Reel of Dubuque Senior on the championship side. Two of her victories were by fall.

Carrol won three straight matches on the backside before having to withdraw because of an injury in the placement match.

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