Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge senior Mariaha Benedict, who placed fifth at state last year, is ranked 3rd heading into the postseason at 135 pounds. Benedict is a Northwestern College recruit.

SPENCER — A new year has brought a surge in pride for the Fort Dodge girls wrestling program.

The Dodgers have increased their numbers with a large freshman class, and the youngsters have been putting up big victories all season long.

“The (underclassmen) just needs to realize how important it is to begin the tournament with a win,” said FDSH head coach Jon Koenig. “They just need to come out and compete and wrestle the way they have been.”

Fort Dodge will head to Spencer for a Class 2A, Region 7 qualifying meet on Thursday. Joining the Dodgers and Tigers will be Caroll, Le Mars, MOC-Floyd Valley, Ride View, Sioux Center, Sioux City East, Sioux City North, and Sioux City West.

Action will begin at 4 p.m. The top two individuals at each weight will advance to the state tournament.

Northwestern College commit and Fort Dodge senior standout Mariaha Benedict, who is ranked third at 135 pounds (IAwrestle), will be looking for her fourth state tournament appearance. She earned a fifth-place medal a season ago.

Benedict, who stands alone atop FDSH’s all-time win list with a career prep mark of 158-35, also grabbed her first Iowa Alliance Conference tournament crown this season.

“Mariaha has big things on her mind,” Koenig said. “She has definitely been on the focus train so far, but we can’t be thinking ahead before we get our job done (at the state-qualifying meet).

“She needs to come out and win the bracket first and then go from there.”

The Dodgers have put together a strong season, with eight dual victories and close to a full lineup for the first time in the program’s short existence.

The large freshman group has certainly helped.

Freshman Ava Potter (235) has opened her career with an impressive rookie campaign, going 38-5 and winning an Iowa Alliance Conference title.

“Ava has done a great job at a tough weight for a freshman,” Koenig said. “I’m just proud of every girl on the squad. We have been fighting through some sickness and injuries, but we have had a strong year overall and we continue to build and move forward.”

Freshman Shayley Butrick (38-12) has also made an immediate impact, reaching the rankings earlier this season at 110 pounds.

Classmate Tori Jakeman (170) has earned 26 wins and an IAC title this year, while sophomore Brooklyn Nelson (110) has added 33 victories to her ledger.

PROBABLE DODGER LINEUP

100 — Lydia Cowell, fr., (10-31); 105 — Shayley Butrick, fr., (38-12) or Ava Osioro, fr., (14-24); 110 — Brooklyn Nelson, so., (33-15); 115 — Open; 120 — Adalyn Ford, fr., (18-26); 125 — Greyson Hinds, fr., (4-19); 130 — Mariana Taute, fr., (17-27); 135 — Mariaha Benedict, sr., (40-5); 140 — Desiree Austin, fr., (5-22); 145 — Rey Lacina, jr., (9-15); 155 — Open; 170 — Tori Jakeman, fr., (26-25); 190 — Emma Potter, fr., (15-30); 235 — Ava Potter, fr., (38-5).