The Fairfield girls wrestling team competed at the North Mahaska Girls Invitational on Saturday, January 10th, finishing sixth in the 11-team field with 63 points. Ames claimed the team title with 206 points, while host North Mahaska placed second with 121.5 points.
Team Standings
- Ames – 206
- North Mahaska – 121.5
- North Tama – 116.5
- LeMars – 77
- Cardinal – 75
- Fairfield – 63
- Oskaloosa – 57
- Washington – 57
- EBF – 46.5
- Baxter – 46
- Mount Ayr – 37.5
Individual Results
Sam Lyons – 1st Place (170 pounds)
Top-seeded Sam Lyons delivered an absolutely dominant performance, capturing first place with three lightning-quick falls. The senior returned to the mat after losing her first match of the season due to an injury disqualification at the previous tournament and left no doubt about her abilities.
Lyons pinned her first opponent in just 10 seconds of the first period, followed that with an 18-second fall, and completed her championship run with a 28-second pin. Her three matches lasted a combined 56 seconds total, showcasing complete dominance from start to finish.
Kendra Allison – 2nd Place (235 pounds)
Top-seeded Kendra Allison claimed second place with a strong showing at 235 pounds. Allison opened with a quick 45-second first-period fall before dropping a 11-5 decision. She bounced back to secure second place with a second-period fall at 2:39.
Kensley Fligg – 4th Place (115 pounds)
Fifth-seeded Kensley Fligg battled to a fourth-place finish at 115 pounds. After losing her first two matches, including a 7-2 decision and a first-period fall at 1:29, Fligg received a forfeit win. She then staged a remarkable comeback, rallying from a 13-3 deficit to pin her opponent in the third period at 5:23. Fligg capped her tournament with a dominant 26-second first-period fall to secure fourth place.
Bailey Belzer – 4th Place (155 pounds)
Fourth-seeded Bailey Belzer earned fourth place at 155 pounds. Belzer opened with a second-period fall at 3:05 after trailing 5-3. She then lost three consecutive matches by first-period fall in 45 seconds, 46 seconds, and 36 seconds in the fourth-place match.
Aislinn Wise – 5th Place (145 pounds)
Fifth-seeded Aislinn Wise placed fifth at 145 pounds. Wise lost by second-period fall at 3:49, received a bye, then fell by second-period fall at 2:20. She secured fifth place with a medical forfeit.
Bekah Zirkle (105 pounds)
Eighth-seeded Bekah Zirkle competed at 105 pounds, losing by first-period fall in 47 seconds and 28 seconds respectively.
Tournament Takeaways
The North Mahaska Invitational provided Fairfield with valuable competition as the postseason approaches. The team secured four top-five finishes, demonstrating depth across multiple weight classes. With the regional qualifier approaching on January 30th at Wapello, Fairfield continues to gain crucial experience and build momentum as the season enters its critical stretch. They’ll be back in action in Ottumwa on Monday, January 12th.
Photography courtesy of Rylie Nelson.
