Pella, Indianola, Norwalk, and Knoxville girls wrestlers will aim for a podium finish and more at the state meet beginning today in Coralville at the Xtream Arena.

Pella’s Isabella Smith is making her second Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state tournament appearance at 115 pounds and Elizabeth Thomas is in her first, although she participated in the wrestling coaches association state tournament as a freshman.

Knoxville’s Serenity Turner comes in as a favorite to make the 1A 105lbs title match, currently ranked #2 overall, and boasts a 43-2 record on the season.

Indianola’s sophomore grappler Siera Becker is looking to improve on her 5th place finish from a year ago, ranked #1 at 100lbs and undefeated on the season at a perfect 34-0.

Indianola will be well represented at the meet, with #2 ranked wrestler Jazelle Smith trying to make a run in the 170lbs bracket, #6 at 105lbs Nora Ohnemus, and Callie Chapman at 125lbs. Chapman said they will all obviously try their best to win a state title, but there is another responsibility they have as athletes, being a role model to young girls to try and continue to build the program from the ground up.

“I always call us the founding fathers of girls wrestling. It is such a privilege to be able to come out here and wrestle, and be able to pave the way for young girls.”

Norwalk will have one representative at the state meet, as Katelynne Liedtke placed second at 170lbs in her qualification competition, and faces a tough road as the 13th seed.

Click here for a link to the schedule and results from day one of the tournament, and tune into KNIA/KRLS for updates.