Vinton-Shellsburg advances 7 to IGHSAU state wrestling tournament, finishes runner-up in team race

CEDAR RAPIDS — Vinton-Shellsburg subscribes to a specific philosophy, according to Coach Brandt Corcran.

Look at how the wrestlers rally around one another and their energy when surrounding a mat and cheering on a teammate and you will see what he means.

“It’s more than a team,” Corcran said. “Every time we break it down, we break down with ‘Family’ so that’s one big thing we emphasize.”

Camaraderie and unity have been catalysts to Vinton-Shellsburg becoming one of the top girls’ wrestling teams in the state and a reason for a runner-up finish to Bettendorf at the IGHSAU Region 6 wrestling tournament Friday at Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

“They’ve done awesome,” Corcran said. “We knew coming into this there would be competition at each weight. They wrestled hard, kept moving and have been aggressive.

“The biggest thing was having fun and enjoying every moment.”

Vinton-Shellsburg advanced seven to state, including regional champions Bree Swenson (120) and Chloe Sanders (130). Both were state finalists a year ago. Ellie Weets (115) and Dakota Cornell (155) placed second.

Preparation was important for a team that ended with 225 points, just 5 1/2 behind the Bulldogs.

“They did all the little things right this week,” Corcran said. “It’s paying off at the end.”

The day was a milestone day for Swenson and Sanders. Swenson reached 150 career wins with her quarterfinal pin. Sanders hit 100 wins in the semifinals. They have joined with many of the returners to lead the program to new heights.

“They’ve all been great leaders and have worked hard all year long,” Corcran said. “Along with Ellie Weets and Dakota Cornell, they’ve done a lot in the offseason, too. They are a big part of how we’ve taken this next step. They bring their teammates along with them.”

Mount Vernon matched Vinton-Shellsburg with two champions. Kiersten Swart at 110 and 190-pounder Libby Dix captured titles. Both pinned their way through the brackets.

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“I went out to take care of business,” said Dix, who pinned Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Joscelyn Stricker in 5:28 in the final. “My last match was a little longer than I wanted but it was good.

“It’s cool having this tournament here. After not having to qualify for state (two years ago), it’s neat to see girls work through this tournament and prove to people what they’re worth and working for all season.”

Dix is 31-1 this season. She was a state runner-up last year. Dix has been focused on getting back to Coralville and taking one last step to the top of the podium.

“I’ve been thinking about that since last year,” Dix said. “it was great but I was so close. I know I can. If I perform my best, I’ll be on the top of the awards stand at the beginning of February.”

Mount Vernon was third with 172 points, six ahead of fourth-place Kennedy.

Solon’s Kara VeDepo returned to state with a title at 100. VeDepo, who wrestled 110 at state last season, opened with two pins. She closed the day with a 15-0 technical fall over Bettendorf’s top-seeded Olivia Hernandez.

VeDepo was one of two Spartan finalists, which include 105 runner-up McKenna Rogers.

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Kennedy’s Ella Brown rolled the 235-pound competition. Brown decked Burlington’s Kiara Rodriguez in 19 seconds in the final. She wrestled three matches in a total of 1:57.

Brown, who placed fifth at 190 at last year’s state tournament, improved to 28-0 this year.

Iowa City Liberty’s Evelyn Eggleston (135), Benton Community 140-pounder Lizzy Wolf and West Branch’s Teagyn Hartz at 170 all claimed titles with pins in the finals.

IGHSAU Region 6

At Alliant Energy PowerHouse

Top 15 Teams - 1. Bettendorf 230.5, 2. Vinton-Shellsburg 225, 3. Mount Vernon 172, 4. C.R. Kennedy 166, 5. Solon 145.5, 6. Davenport 137, 7. North Scott 124, 8. Benton Community 115, 9. Iowa City Liberty 110, 10. West Dubuque 95, 11. Burlington 87, 12. Alburnett 81, 13. Durant 72, 14. West Branch 63, 15. Clear Creek Amana 57.

Other area teams - 18. Highland 47, 21. Maquoketa 26, 23. Lone Tree 13.

State qualifiers

100 pounds - 1. Kara VeDepo (Sol), 2. Olivia Hernandez (Bett), 3. Taylor Cavanh (ICL), 4. Kenadee Helscher (Wapello)

105 - 1. Lainey Shelangoski (Dur), 2. McKenna Rogers (Sol), 3. Kaelynn Roster (V-S), 4. Tessa Kauffman (Muscatine)

110 - 1. Kiersten Swart (MV), 2. Angelina Roling (High), 3. Emily See (Bett), 4. Rylee Rice (WACO)

115 - 1. Taylor Strief (Bett), 2. Ellie Weets (V-S), 3. Marlie McBride (CCA), 4. Hannah Park (Dav)

120 - 1. Bree Swenson (V-S), 2. Nesa Selmani (Bett), 3. Alannah Mahoney (Sol), 4. Olivia Hallam (CRK)

125 - 1. Hannah Rogers (Bett), 2. Jadalynn Daily (Dav), 3. Camden Ehrhardt (V-S), 4. Ava Streeter (Dur)

130 - 1. Chloe Sanders (V-S), 2. Lexy Petersen (Bett), 3. Lyni Gusick (Alb), 4. Harmony Hansel (NS)

135 - 1. Evelyn Eggleston (ICL), 2. Morgan Strief (Bett), 3. Meika Neal (MV), 4. Halle Bormann (CCA)

140 - 1. Lizzy Wolf (BC), 2. Izzy Giza (Bett), 3. Olivia Bonnema (Sol), 4. Sadie Burke (V-S)

145 - 1. Greta Brus (Dav), 2. Layna DeMoss (BC), 3. Shariah Hart (Burl), 4. Jalyiah Gardner (Keokuk)

155 - 1. Tatum Wolford (Wapello), 2. Dakota Cornell (V-S), 3. Elsie Lewis (Muscatine), 4. Ashlynn Carter-Shook (MV)

170 - 1. Teagyn Hartz (WB), 2. Kensi Steele (ICL), 3. Gracie Pinckney (MV), 4. Jordan Hunt (CCA)

190 - 1. Libby Dix (MV), 2. Joscelyn Stricker (CRK), 3. Sharidan Engelken (WD), 4. Madison Andrews (NS)

235 - 1. Ella Brown (CRK), 2. Kiara Rodriguez (Burl), 3. Adrianna Shepherd (WD), 4. Sage Dzaledini (NS)

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