Both Pekin wrestling teams were in action on Saturday, January 17th, with the girls competing at the Pella Girls Invitational and the boys traveling to the WACO Tournament.
Girls Wrestling – Pella Invitational
The Lady Panthers finished seventh out of 17 teams with 96 points, earning three individual medalists and multiple victories throughout the lineup.
Team Standings
- Burlington – 184
- Pella – 178.5
- Knoxville – 123
- Wilton – 121
- MOC-Floyd Valley – 109.5
- Ottumwa – 105
- Pekin – 96
- Albia – 94
- Davis County – 74
- Indianola – 73.5
- Oskaloosa – 73.5
- Des Moines Public Schools – 58
- Chariton – 42
- Mount Pleasant – 39.5
- Centerville – 38
- Wayne – 16
- Keokuk – 15
Individual Results
105 lbs – Bree Earnest (10th seed)
Earnest went 2-2 on the day. She opened with a second-period pin at 2:31 over seventh-seeded Aallyah Swanson of Knoxville after trailing 5-4. Following a second-period loss by fall at 3:00, she dominated Emma LaGrange of Des Moines with a 17-1 tech fall in just 1:23 of the first period in round three. She closed with a second-period fall at 2:47 in round four.
110 lbs – Lexa Nelson (3rd seed) – 4th Place
Nelson posted a 2-2 record to earn fourth place. She started strong with a 15-0 tech fall in one minute of the first period in round one, then dropped a close 8-6 decision in round two. After a quick 43-second first-period pin in round three, she suffered a heartbreaking default loss at 5:50 in the third period with just 10 seconds remaining in what had been a competitive 15-9 match in round four.
120 lbs – Autumn Coleman (9th seed)
Coleman finished 2-2, opening with an upset pin over eighth-seeded Natalie Wagaman of Wilton at 1:18 in the first period in round one. She lost by first-period fall at 1:16 in round two, bounced back with a 1:28 first-period pin in round three, and fell by second-period pin at 2:22 in her final match.
125 lbs – Lila Miller (3rd seed) – 2nd Place
Miller turned in an outstanding 3-1 performance to claim second place. She opened with lightning-quick pins at 31 and 29 seconds in her first two matches. In round three, she pulled off a dramatic upset of second-seeded Paislee Kern of Ottumwa, rallying from a 7-3 deficit to pin her at 3:06 in the second period. In a close championship match in round four, she fell by pin at 55 seconds in the first period, securing runner-up honors.
130 lbs – Reece Brisby (14th seed)
Brisby went 0-2, falling by first-period pin at 38 seconds in round one and at 1:54 in round two.
145 lbs – Hailey Pedrick (1st seed) – 1st Place
Pedrick dominated the bracket, going 3-0 to capture first place. She won by first-period pin at 1:35 after building a 12-3 advantage in round one, followed by a second-period pin at 2:15 in round two. She claimed the championship with another second-period pin at 3:17 in round three.
155 lbs – Ella Rose (11th seed)
Rose finished 1-2 on the day. She dropped a tough first match by second-period fall at 3:39 despite holding a 10-5 lead in round one. She rallied in round two, pinning her opponent at 3:53 in the second period after trailing 6-5, but fell by pin at 38 seconds in the first period of her final match in round three.
170 lbs – Carly Clubb (9th seed)
Clubb went 0-2 with two byes. She lost by first-period pin at 1:19 in round two and by second-period fall at 2:30 in round four.
190 lbs – Rylee Frye (2nd seed) – 2nd Place
Frye earned second place with a 2-1 record. After a first-round bye, she won by third-period pin at 4:58 after trailing 6-3 in round two. She followed with a first-period pin at 1:47 in round three and had another bye in round four before falling in the championship match by pin at 19 seconds in the first period in round five.
Coach Jeff Follman’s Comments
“The team turned in a strong overall performance at yesterday’s wrestling meet, with nearly every athlete earning at least one victory. The field included several familiar opponents along with a few new teams, which added welcome variety to the competition.
While there were several closely contested matches—along with a few calls that did not go our way—the day was marked by encouraging progress among the girls’ lineup.
Highlighting the individual performances, Hailey captured first place with an excellent showing. Lila earned a runner-up finish after a hard-fought finals match, and Rylee also placed second following a competitive battle in the championship round.
As a group, the team wrestled well and finished seventh overall in the team point standings. It was a productive day of competition and a positive step forward for the team.”
Boys Wrestling – WACO Tournament
The Pekin boys brought just three wrestlers to the WACO Tournament but still managed to finish 10th out of 14 teams with 42.5 points, with all three Panthers earning top-five finishes.
Team Standings
- Louisa Muscatine – 221.5
- Highland – 165.5
- Mount Pleasant – 146.5
- Washington – 119.5
- WACO – 111.5
- Cedar Rapids Prairie JV – 105
- Wapello – 69
- HLV – 66
- Mid-Prairie – 59.5
- Pekin – 42.5
- Baxter – 41.5
- New London – 35.5
- English Valleys – 35
- Lone Tree – 13
Individual Results
144 lbs – Zach Doud (7th seed) – 5th Place
Doud went 4-1 to capture fifth place. He opened with a second-period pin at 3:51 after building a 10-1 advantage in round one. After losing by tech fall 20-2 at the end of the second period (4:00) in round two, he rallied with three consecutive pins—at 1:06 in the first period in round three, at 3:32 in the second period from an 8-8 tie in round four, and at 1:23 in the first period after trailing 3-2 to claim fifth place in round five.
157 lbs – Landon Crow (9th seed) – 5th Place
Crow also earned fifth place with a 3-1 record. He pinned his first opponent in one minute in round one, then suffered an 18-0 tech fall at 1:53 in the first period during round two. After a third-round bye, he won by tech fall 16-1 at 2:00 in the first period in round four and secured fifth place with a first-period pin at 1:20 in round five.
285 lbs – Brantyn Sieren (3rd seed) – 3rd Place
Sieren had the best finish for Pekin, claiming third place with a 2-1 record. He dominated his opening match with a 36-second first-period pin in round one, lost by first-period fall at 1:53 in round two, and bounced back to win third place with a second-period pin at 3:19 after building a 6-0 lead in round three.
What’s Next
The girls will be returning back to Pella on Tuesday, January 20th for a triangular against Pella and PCM. The boys will be back on Thursday, January 22nd against Louisa-Muscatine and Columbus.
Photography courtesy of Rylie Nelson and Tonya Doud.
