Girls from 25 schools took to the mats at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines Friday to compete for spots in next week’s state wrestling tournament. North Mahaska had four girls compete. Macie Little finished second at 125 pounds while the other three, Kaylia Shipman, Kieren Perez and Amara Edwards-Hinton did not make the podium.
The quartet of contenders is just the second North Mahaska wrestling team as the Iowa Girls’ Athletic Union has officially sanctioned the sport the past two seasons. They were nervous and excited to compete at the Super Regional.
“I’m definitely nervous,” said Perez prior to the meet. “We need more girls to come out.”
Shipman echoed Perez’s comment about more girls competing. Little added it was exciting to be the second team and competing at regionals.
Shipman opened the day at 120 pounds with a bye then pinned Lyla Smothers of English Valleys/Tri-County in 1 minute 27 seconds. Shipman faced Ames wrestler, Lexa Rozevink, who scored a pin in 46 seconds that sent Shipman into the consolation bracket.
RD Keep/NM Communications
Kaylia Shipman works against Fairfield’s Vianny Gonzalez at the super regional Friday.
Shipman met Vianney Gonzalez of Fairfield in her first round of consolations winning by pin in 46 seconds. In her last match she met Paige Popson of Albia, who won by pin in 2:48.
Perez wrestled one of four 140-pound contested matches in the first round. Her nervousness lasted 1:39 as she pinned Iowa City High junior Nina Peterson. In the next round Perez faced Perry junior Julie Maylum, but was pinned in 1:17.
In the consolations Perez matched up with Betsy Wells of English Valleys/Tri-County. In the first minute of the second period Perez took Wells to the mat and pinned her in 2:57. Perez met Chariton’s Jolie Soukup. Soukup ended Perez’s quest for a podium spot in the first period.
Edwards-Hinton saw her debut season end after two losses. She received a bye in her opener at 170 pounds then faced Iowa Valleys’ Raelene Hawkins. The sophomore pinned Edwards-Hinton in 53 seconds to send her to the consolation bracket. Edwards-Hinton again advanced with a bye in the consi to face Nevada’s Mailey Short. Edwards-Hinton worked against Short, but was pinned in 1:27.
North Mahaska’s team accumulated 42 points to finish 19th out of 25 teams. Ankeny easily cruised to the team title with 277 outdistancing second place Dallas Center-Grimes with 177. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont was third with 161 points.