Solon’s Tess Richards overcomes adversity, pins way to Class 1A girls’ wrestling regional crown

SOLON – Tess Richards has faced plenty of adversity.

Injury prevented her from last year’s super regional. Illness hampered her regular season and almost thwarted postseason plans again. The Solon sophomore wouldn’t be denied for a second straight time.

“I was really excited for it,” Richards said. “Be able to prove myself and show like I belonged with these girls and I belong on the mat to be able to compete. Show people what I am capable of, so it's really nice.”

Richards pinned her way to the 115-pound title at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 1A regional tournament Friday night in her home gym. She was won of three Solon champions, matching team champion Mount Vernon for the tournament high.

Richards (13-6) reversed Mid-Prairie’s Gabby Gingerich and secured her state berth with a fall in 1:28.

“She's a very talented wrestler, a go-getter,” Solon Coach Jake Munson said. “I couldn't be happier for her that she's having the success that she did today.”

The chance to wrestle was in jeopardy. Richards has been sidelined by a condition that has caused fatigue and dizziness. She has endured the symptoms this season and was determined to wrestle in what could have been her final event of the season.

“I've been struggling with a lot of illness,” Richards said. “The doctors don't really know what's wrong, but I've gone through a bunch of tests. I haven't really wrestled for like four weeks. I've wrestled a few matches, but not a lot, and so it was a battle with the doctors to be able to wrestle today.”

Wrestling has been a big part of Richards’ life, starting in Solon’s club in fifth grade, serving as a manager and following in her sibling’s footsteps. She owns a greater appreciation for being able to wrestle after having to sit out.

“Every time I get a chance to be on the mat and compete is a really big opportunity,” Richards said. “I never take it for granted, because I know sometimes I'm not always going to be able to wrestle. When I do it’s really big thing for me.”

Munson noted they considered shutting Richards down for the season but decided to make one last stand. Richards opened with two first period pins, reaching the finals with a 1:32 fall over Central DeWitt’s Delaney Barber.

“Just huge,” Munson said about Richards performance. “We were taking it a match at a time today. We weren’t sure how much she'd be able to hang in there, but we just said six minutes at a time and she went.

“You could see a very talented wrestler. When she could put it together, she's going to be tough to beat.”

Wrestling can be unforgiving on the healthy. The challenge grows exponentially when you aren’t 100 percent. Richards is driven by a love for the sport but her dedication to her teammates helped motivate her to get on the mat.

“Remembering that it's not just you,” Richards said. “You’ve got to be there for your teammates as well, pushing each other in the room, which is really important, and showing up to practice, even when you're not you're not healthy. You can't wrestle, you're sitting against the wall and still keeping a positive mindset.

“You're here for a purpose and what you're going through might suck, but at the end it's all planned.”

A middle school coach called her “Bulldog.” The moniker seems to match her relentless approach in competition and to any obstacle in front of her.

“He always would tell me to have a Bulldog mentality and it's just always go, go, go, and never hit the brakes,” Richards said. “Always do your best and leave it all out on the mat no matter what happens.”

Four Spartans will make the trip Feb. 6-7 to Xtream Arena in Coralville. Richards will go right back to work to peak for state.

“I just want to continue to work in the room for the week,” Richards said. “Once I get down to Xtream, I just want to try my best and leave it all on the mat. Do what I can.”

Kara VeDepo (105) and Olivia Bonnema at 140 also won titles for the Spartans, who scored 179 points.

Mount Vernon boasted three champions. Kiersten Swart (110), Addi Whisner at 145 and 190-pounder Libby Dix claimed gold and helped the Mustangs to 189 points. Mount Vernon finished with a tournament-best six state qualifiers.

Benton Community duo of Lizzy Wolf and Layna Demoss captured crowns. Wolf notched two pins to reach the 155-pound finals, winning by injury default. Demoss also rolled to the 170 championship bout with two pins. Demoss beat Mount Vernon’s Gracie Pinckney, 9-4, in a battle of ranked wrestlers. It was Demoss’ second win over Pinckney in the last week.

“I love the way they performed,” Bobcats Coach Josh Hoeck said. “They’ve been the heart and soul of our team all year. We’re fortunate to have them. They’re great leaders. Can’t wait to see what they do next week.”

Tipton’s Koda Fogg (100), Lisbon’s Lillian Gaiser (120). Union Community’s Jillian Worthen (130) and Cascade’s Carly Maternach (135) each won titles.

CLASS 1A REGIONAL

At Solon

Teams – 1. Mount Vernon 189, 2. Solon 179, 3. Mid-Prairie 159, 4. Central DeWitt 129, 5. Benton Community 128, 6. Cascade 103, 7. Lisbon 100, 8. Tipton 88, 9. Louisa-Muscatine 70.5, 10. Union Community 59, 11. West Branch 57, 12. Durant 53, 13. Northeast 43, 14. C.R. Xavier 36, 15. Maquoketa 29, 16. Tri-County 15, 17. Camanche 10, 18. North Cedar 0.

STATE QUALIFIERS

100 pounds – 1. Koda Fogg (Tip), 2. Semiya Gill (Maq); 105 – 1. Kara VeDepo (Sol), 2. Kate Martin (MV); 110 – 1. Kiersten Swart (MV), 2. McKenna Rogers (Sol); 115 – 1. Tess Richards (Sol), 2. Gabby Gingerich (MP); 120 – 1. Lillian Gaiser (Lis), 2. Saidee Hamilton (Tip); 125 – 1. Ava Streeter (Dur), 2. Grace Patterson (CD); 130 – 1. Jillian Worthen (UC), 2. Ashlee Farrier (MP); 135 – 1. Carly Maternach (Cas), 2. Tori Hansen (L-M); 140 – 1. Olivia Bonnema (Sol), 2. Layken Lee (MP); 145 – 1. Addi Whisner (MV), 2. Emma Dietsch (Lis); 155 – 1. Lizzy Wolf (BC), 2. Kaylee Kintzel (MV); 170 – 1. Layna Demoss (BC), 2. Gracie Pinckney (MV); 190 – 1. Libby Dix (MV), 2. Teagyn Hartz (WB); 235 – 1. Skylar Wegener (NE), 2. Averie Gale (BC)

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