Benedict, Nelson 2nd at IAC tourney
DES MOINES — Fort Dodge earned a pair of runner up performances at the Iowa Alliance North Conference tournament.
Eighth-ranked (IAwrestle) Brooklyn Nelson (110) and third-ranked Mariaha Benedict (135) both earned silver.
Jessenia Elias (170) was third, while Addie Mikesell (235) and Tristen Holst (130) placed fourth. Ninth-ranked Makayla Liska (155), who had a hand injury, defaulted to fifth place, while Alivya Rokes was fifth at 120.
Benedict (35-5) lost to Ames Lexa Rozevink (34-2) of Ames in the finals by fall. Last week Rozevink became Ames’ first girl with 100 career victories.
Benedict, who also has over 100 career wins, pinned Jaydee Bircher of Ottumwa in 1:48 of the semifinals.
“We were anticipating it was going to be a good match,” said Fort Dodge head coach Jon Koenig. “Mariaha made a couple of mistakes, and Rozevink caught her.
“She was upset after the match, but feels she can wrestle with her.”
Nelson (21-10) lost to Jordin Mayson of Ottumwa by fall in 5:51 of the finals. She pinned Ella Als of Mason City (3:15) in the semifinals and pinned Ames’ Brooklyn Greenlee in 5:43 of the quarterfinals.
“Brooklyn had been sitting out with a sore hamstring to let it heal,” Koenig said. “It felt good during the tournament and afterwards. She beat the girls from Ames and Mason City.
“She was in the match against Ottumwa, but we have to get her gas tank back up.”
Rokes (120) placed fifth with a fall in 1:27 over Patricia Mateo Merita of Marshalltown.
The Dodgers are back in action on Thursday when they head to Marshalltown.