Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge junior Macy Brown celebrates a victory on Thursday in the Dodger gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

When Fort Dodge’s Macy Brown and Lucy Porter had their hands raised for the first time in the center of the wrestling mat on Thursday, it was a feeling they won’t soon forget.

“At first I was super nervous and shaking until I stepped out on that mat,” Brown said. “Once I got out there and faced my opponent, it was crazy. I just zoned in and took everything I learned into account and put it into action.

“Once I had the girl pinned, a wave of shock took over. When the ref raised my hand after the match, it was an unforgettable moment.”

It was a historic night in the Dodger gym, as Fort Dodge held its first ever all girls meet in the FDSH Scramble.

“I was so nervous,” Porter said. “I just knew I had to put those nerves away and be aggressive…just do the moves I know I can do.

“My coaches were so great the whole meet and helped a lot. Even coaches from other sports texting me and hyping me up. It all just made me feel super confident in myself.”

Eight schools and over 100 matches took part in the first-ever all girls wrestling meet in Fort Dodge. Each athlete had two matches, and the 12 Dodger wrestlers posted a combined record of 15-9 (62 percent, best in the scramble) on the night.

“I’m happy with the 15 wins, but it’s more about the excitement and joy that I saw in their faces,” said Dodger head coach Jon Koenig. “For two weeks, I tried to preach how much the crowd pushes you and the feeling when you get your hand raised.

“They were worried about having our first meet at home, but it totally paid off.”

Defending state champion Alexis Ross, Porter, Brown and Alejandra Manzanilla went a combined 8-0 with eight falls — five coming in the first period.

“It was very exciting to see the energy and the crowd. To finally get to show those girls what I mean when I talk about the adrenaline and the energy,” said Ross, a seasoned veteran when it comes to big meets and bright lights. “I love to see the sport growing, and I’m very happy to finally have a team to share the excitement with and help them grow along the way.”

Mariaha Benedict, Delaney O’Connor, Gracie Harvey, Andee Barwin, Emalie Perez, Maddie Pulis and Izzy Feldahus also picked up victories for the Dodgers.

“My team also showed me what it’s like to be a true teammate. We are all super proud of each other and how we did,” Porter said. “All the hard practices, even in the short two weeks were so worth it after we got those pins and had our hand raised at the end of the match.

“It’s an indescribable feeling.”

Humboldt brought 19 wrestlers to the event and won 19 matches in all. Double winners for the Wildcats were Baylie Beers, Jypsie Dudney, Catalina Elizondo, Mia Harris, Sophia Harris, Mackenzie McMahon and Claire Weydert.

Reece Taylor, Harley Tobin, Savannah Steven, Megan McPeak, Abbe Gorham and Malyn Davis earned a pair of victories for Algona.

Eagle Grove’s Maria Calles, Lily Locke, Julia Gardner and Jaymie Anderson all won two matches each.

Olivia Villegas was a double winner for East Sac County.

The Dodgers are back in action on Saturday when they travel to the Ridge View Tournament.