Last season, Mount Vernon and Lisbon wrestlers were on the same team. On Saturday, Nov. 23, the separate girls’ programs finished second and 11th at the Wilton Invitational.
“We brought nine girls and seven scored, so I was pleased to finish second,” Mount Vernon coach Trevor Trende said. “We competed at a very high level and scored lots of points.”
Mid-Prairie won the 14-team event with 182 points. The Mustangs had 155 and were followed by Wilton with 153.5. Lisbon scored 67.
The Mustangs had three champions – freshman Kate Martin at 110, junior Gracie Pinckney at 170 and senior Libby Dix at 190.
“Gracie and Libby took care of business,” Trende said. “Kate got her name in the rankings, so we’re excited for her.”
Pinckney beat second-ranked Samantha Lyons of Fairfield in the finals, 3-2.
Dix, who wrestled through a minor injury Saturday, got her 100th career win. She is the first Mount Vernon girls’ wrestler to accomplish the feat.
“Quite a milestone,” Trende said. “With hopefully man more to come.”
Kiersten Swart (115) and Addi Whisner (145) placed second and Josie Panos (235) was third.
“Kiersten lost to the No. 1 girl in the state,” Trende said. “It was a tough loss, but it is good to get that competition early in the season.”
Reanah Utterback of Sigourney-Keota pinned Swart in the championship.
Lisbon’s top finisher was freshman Emma Dietsch, who placed second at 155. Senior Lillian Gaiser (125) was third.
“We had wrestled Tuesday at Sigourney, and while the team score didn’t show it, they picked up on a lot of improvements Saturday at Wilton,” Lisbon co-coach Seth Hall said. “It was a pretty tough field with ranked girls all over the place.”
Season Preview
MOUNT VERNON
Coach: Trevor Trende (third season)
2023-24 results: Third in WaMaC Tournament
Returning letter-winners (7): Kiersten Swart, jr., 115; Gracie Pickney, jr., 170; Libby Dix, sr., 190; Carly Elliott, jr., 105; Maci Stoner, so., 170; Addy Whisner, jr., 145; Kaylee Kintzel, jr., 155.
Outlook: The Mustangs return state champion Libby Dix and third-place Kiersten Swart and state-qualifier Gracie Pickney to build around in their first season separated from Lisbon.
Mount Vernon is dealing with a less-crowded wrestling room, “but we are holding our own,” Trende said. “When people get healthy, we’ll be close to a full lineup.”
Junior Addy Whisner returns after finishing one match short of state last year. And a few freshmen could make a big impact this winter, as well.
“The middle school program has really helped with the development of the girls,” Trende said. “I’m super excited.”
That group includes freshman Kate Martin at 110 pounds and Josie Panos, who is wrestling up a weight at 235. “They are capable of finishing on the (state) podium,” Trende said.
LISBON
Coaches: Seth Hall and Cassie Bowdre (first season)
2023-24 result: First season
Returning letter-winners (1): Lillian Gaiser, sr., 125
Outlook: Lisbon decided to start its own girls wrestling program after sharing with Mount Vernon for the first two years. Former boys’ assistant Seth Hall and former junior high coach Cassie Bowdre are co-coaching the Lions this year.
The Lions aren’t starting from scratch, but will have some growing pains early on.
“We’re further ahead than I was expecting,” Hall said. “And the girls are learning pretty quick.”
Hall said there are 12 girls in the wrestling room and 11 on varsity. Seniors Addie Clark and Lillian Gaiser are the team captains.
A number of freshmen will compete, including Emma Dietsch, who was state AAU runner-up in eighth grade.