Decorah’s wrestlers are making the most of their second chances and they’ve helped put the Vikings at the top of the team standings after Day One of the inaugural IGHSAU state tournament.
Thanks to a strong performance in the wrestlebacks Thursday evening, Decorah heads into the final day of the tournament at Coralville’s Xtream Arena with 82 points. Waverly-Shell Rock is next with 74, followed by East Buchanan (72), Lewis Central (63) and Osage (55)
Decorah posted a 14-2 record with 10 pins in two rounds of wrestlebacks, leaving seven competitors with a chance to finish as high as third. The Vikings will have only one semifinalist going in the championship round on Friday, but she’s a good one – top-seeded Naomi Simon at 170 pounds.
Simon has advanced with two pins and a major decision, improving her record to 38-0.
Waverly-Shell Rock and East Buchanan each has three wrestlers in the semifinals and three in the wrestlebacks so they also have plenty of scoring potential. Lewis Central and Osage each advanced two into the semis, including Lewis Central’s top-seeded Mahri Manz at 140. Manz has three pins in as many matches.
Lewis Central has three in the wrestlebacks, but Osage has just one.
Osage has perhaps the most impressive performer so far in Jalynn Goodale, seeded No. 1 at 110. She has spent barely more than 2 minutes on the mat, pinning her first two opponents in 20 and 21 seconds and notching a third pin in 1:24.
The 135-pound class will have the top three seeds in action plus No. 21 Audrianna Rosol of Centerville, who has three pins so far and will face top-seeded Alexis Ross of Fort Dodge for a chance to reach the championship match.