GILBERT — The Fort Dodge girls wrestling team made an early statement on Tuesday night.

The Dodgers (2-1 overall) sported a nearly full lineup, claiming two dual victories to open the season.

Fort Dodge beat Dallas Center-Grimes 45-36, lost to Carlisle 66-17 and finished the night with a 40-36 victory over Gilbert.

Shayley Butrick, Ava Potter and Mariaha Benedict all went 3-0 on the night. Butrick had a fall, technical fall and forfeit. Both Potter and Benedict had two falls each and one forfeit.

“It’s great to start the season off this way,” said Fort Dodge head coach Jon Koenig. “For the first outing, the girls really showed up.”

In the win over the Mustangs, the Dodgers picked up eight victories, five by forfeit wins. Freshman Shayley Butrick picked up an 11-8 decision at 110 pounds. Brooklyn Nelson grabbed a 28 second fall at 115 pounds and Ava Potter (235) finished the match with a fall in 40 seconds.

“Shayley looked good, as she is looking for a lot of things coming out this season,” Koenig said. “Shayley, Mariaha and Ava all went unbeaten on the night, so that’s a good start.”

Butrick had a 15-0 tech fall in 1:22 against Carlisle and Benedict (135) got a pin in 41 seconds.

“We made a lot of mistakes and the Carlisle dual should have been a lot closer,” Koenig said. “In the other two duals, we had some good solid wrestling.”

It was strong finish for Fort Dodge, who picked up three falls and two tech falls in the final dual.

Butric’s fall came in 21 seconds, Benedict (1:17) and Potter pinned Gilbert’s shoulders to the matt in 55 seconds.

Nelson picked up a 17-2 tech fall in four minutes and Mariana Taute (140) won 18-3 in four minutes.

The Dodgers are back in action on Thursday when they host the Fort Dodge Girls Early Birt tournament in the Dodger gym.