North Mahaska freshman Macie Little’s state wrestling tournament came to an end far sooner than she wanted. She lost her opener then picked up a win in the consolation wrestlebacks but could not advance past the second round of consolation matches.
Little was seeded by the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union 14th and faced 19-seeded Reese Roberts, a junior, from Linn-Mar. Roberts scored a first period takedown that Little was able to reverse to tie the match at 2-2. Little scored a takedown in the second period and led 4-2 going into the final period.
Little made a move that Roberts countered and took Little to her back to secure the pin at the 4 minute 32 second mark. That meant the best Little could hope for was a fight back for third place.
Little had good control in her first-round consolation match facing 30th seeded Helen Orszula of Iowa City West. Little scored a first period takedown then Orszula, a senior, chose the top position for the second period and Little reversed positions and scored the pin in 3:05.
The victory by Little put her into the day’s second session Thursday night. She met up with another senior, Jadelynn Daily of Davenport, who was seeded 13th. Daily scored a quick takedown and pinned Little in 29 seconds.
When the tournament began 448 girls from 142 teams were competing for individual and team honors. Little’s efforts gave North Mahaska three points, which at the end of the day Thursday saw the team tied for 121st with three points.
North Mahaska’s talented freshman has seen what it takes to compete against the state’s best and will re-focus and prepare for a return in 2025. She ended her first varsity season with an impressive 28-4 record. She won several tournaments including the South Iowa Cedar League title and was a Super Regional runnerup and a state qualifier. Not a bad resume.