The Mount Vernon girls’ wrestling program is off to a great start, picking up a second place finish at South Tama last week.
The concept of girls wrestling at Mount Vernon or Lisbon isn’t brand new, but it’s a relatively recent phenomenon — and it’s only now become officially sanctioned at Mount Vernon.
The sport has been available at Mount Vernon for three years in an unofficial capacity — alum Maddie Plotz is now wrestling at Iowa Western in her first year — but it has now become recognized, has 17 wrestlers, and is helmed by head coach Trevor Trende. Trende is assisted by Chance Shelton, a Mount Vernon native who moved to Illinois and returned to his alma mater to assist.
The recognition came as the result of a growing interest — and growing success. Last season, the team made it to the state tournament, and their talent could no longer be ignored. Libby Dix placed fifth individually, and returns this season along with fellow qualifiers Betsy Morf and Claire Gaffney.
Mount Vernon made the program official.
“It’s really grown, which is amazing,” said Coach Trende.
Fifteen of the team’s girls attend the school, while two others — Ryleigh Allgood and Kasey Nevins — come from Lisbon.
The two joining the team, said Trende, is “great.”
“We’ve got a lot of great athletes on the team,” he said.
Trende assisted with the middle school boys wrestling team last season, as well as helping with the varsity boys. The boys practices were open to the girls as well, and the coach got to know them in the process.
“So I have some relationship with the girls there,” Trende said.
The team is comprised of Ryleigh Allgood, Elizabeth Morf, Kiersten Swart, Claire Gaffney, Kasey Nevins, Elli Shebetka, Ella Krob, Meika Neal, Sarah Peterson, Audrey Tucker, Addison Gookin, Kaylee Kintzel, Gracie Pickney, Ashlynn Carter-Shook, Libby Dix, Aly Lashley and Mae Stoops.
South Tama County Girls Wrestling InvitationalThursday, Nov. 17 The first test of the newly-official team came last Thursday at the South Tama County Invitational.
While an official team score was not kept, the Mustangs placed second out of the 17 teams competing, which, according to Trende, “is excellent.”
West Liberty occupied the top spot with 186 points, while Mount Vernon was just behind with 183.
“We competed very well. I was very happy with how the girls competed. It was really awesome to see the success they had in the short amount of time we’ve been doing this,” Trende said.
The invitational featured more than 200 matches, and the team got to the bus between 9:30-10 p.m.
“The girls were excited about it being the first sanctioned meet, but also tired,” said Trende.
The Mustangs had wins from Lashley (195-206), Allgood (119-123), Tucker (119-123) by fall, Nevins (126-134) by fall, Gookin (153-155), Pickney (160-168) and Dix (170-176).