Photo courtesy of IAwrestle: Mariaha Benedict of Fort Dodge reacts to a win at the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Coralville on Thursday.

CORALVILLE — Mariaha Benedict has been working towards a spot in the Donnybrook every since placing fifth a year ago.

The fifth-ranked (IAwrestle) 135-pounder for Fort Dodge steamrolled into the finals, picking up two falls, a major decision and an injury default.

“This had been my goal for a while now,” Benedict said. “My first year I got fourth and the next, I got fifth.”

Benedict (17-1) placed fourth as a freshman and was fifth a year ago.

“All summer I went to work with a goal of becoming a better wrestler,” Benedict said. “I was tired of losing.”

The Dodger junior was the four seed and upset the top-seed Aubrie Rohrbacher of Huntley by fall in 3:55.

“When I was warming up for the semis, I kept telling myself that I had to outwork and out wrestle the girl,” Benedict said. “I was going to win. When I pinned her I couldn’t even really be shocked because I knew I had worked for my spot and earned it — I was ecstatic.

“I give all glory to God and to my coaches.”

Benedict will wrestle Waverly-Shell Rock’s Lilly Stough in the finals. Stough is a 100 match winner for the Go-Hawks.

“I’m super proud of Mariaha,” said Fort Dodge head coach Jon Koenig. “She did a great job of not letting the No. 4 seed get into her head.

“She knew what she wanted to do. I think she got underestimated as the four seed and with her resume of fourth and fifth.”

Freshmen Brooklyn Nelson (110) and Makayla Liska (155) advanced to the second day.

Nelson (14-4) had two falls and a tech fall.

Liska (12-5) had two falls and an injury default.

“Brooklyn and Makayla need a couple of more wins to reach the podium,” Koenig said. “Brooklyn and Makayla have wrestled in tournaments and know what to expect.

“Now we have to get through the weigh-ins. They’re figuring out the process.”

Nelly Leya (105) had two falls for Fort Dodge.

All of our girls did a great job of understanding if you lose,” Koenig said. “Move on and take it one match at a time. Don’t think about other stuff and take care of what is in front of you.”

Action begins at 9 a.m. on Friday with the finals to begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.