MASON CITY — The Fort Dodge girls will try to punch their state wrestling tickets here on Friday at a Class 2A regional meet.

This marks the first year the girls state meet will be broken into two classes.

Eight teams will be in attendance on Friday, and matches will begin at 5 p.m.

The top two finishers at each weight, with true-second place matches, will advance to the state tournament next Saturday in Coralville at the Xtream Arena.

“We are obviously trying to get as many through as we can,” said FDSH head coach Jon Koenig. “This last couple of weeks, we wanted them to peak.”

Junior Mariaha Benedict (39-5) looks to become a three-time state qualifier for the Dodgers. Benedict is 111-27 in her career.

“Mariaha has been wrestling solid,” Koenig said. “She is very confident, but knows she has to go out and take each match at a time.”

Freshmen Brooklyn Nelson (110) and Makayla Liska (145), who were both ranked earlier this season, will also try for state spots.

Nelson is 23-12 on the season and has a few tournament titles.

“Brooklyn has two girls that she has gone 1-1 with on the season (in her bracket),” Koenig said. “There is also a girl from Waterloo that we haven’t seen yet.

“If Brooklyn shows up and wrestles the way she knows, she has a solid chance of making state.”

Liska, who is coming off a recent injury, is ready to come back and make a run.

“Makayla is going at 145, so she hasn’t seen anyone at that weight,” Koenig said. “But she should be around the three seed, and is hoping to make a strong run.”

PROBABLE DODGER LINEUP

110 — Brooklyn Nelson, fr., (23-12); 130 — Tristen Holst, sr., (5-21); 135 — Mariaha Benedict, jr., (39-5); 140 — Naomi Zaharia, fr., (5-25); 145 — Makayla Liska, fr., (31-11); 155 — Charlie Stucky, fr., (6-17); 170 — Jessenia Elias, jr., (7-14); 235 — Addie Mikesell, fr., (10-26).