WEST DES MOINES — The Fort Dodge girls wrestling team started 2026 with a split at West Des Moines on Tuesday.

The Dodgers beat West Des Moines 42-34 and lost to North Metro 48-36.

“On paper I was more optimistic about winning the North dual, but we came out with the win against Valley,” said FDSH head coach Jon Koenig. “We had a couple of open weights, so that hurt us in the loss.

“We are happy that we were able to squeeze one out.”

In the win over West Des Moines, Fort Dodge won six matches — all by fall.

Shayley Butrick (110) picked up a fall in 1:40 and Brooklyn Nelson (115) followed with a pin in 1:43.

Mariana Taute (130) had a fall in 3:29 and Mariaha Benedict (135) picked up the quickest fall 27 seconds for the Dodgers.

Rey Lacina (140) had a fall in 1:43 and Ava Potter (235) finished the victory with a pin 1:27.

Fort Dodge also had six wins in the loss to North.

Butrick recorded a fall in 1:10, while Nelson earned her pin in 39 seconds. Benedict had another quick fall, winning in 23 seconds.

Lydia Cowell (100) and Ava Osorio (105) and Potter won by forfeit.

“I was really happy to see Rey Lacina come out and get a win for us,” Koenig said. “She was previously a JV wrestler and we threw her in at 140 and she came out and got a win.

“In the victory, all the girls that picked up wins had falls, so that’s really big to get.”

The Dodgers are back in action on Saturday when they travel for the Ogden Invitational.