“There were a lot of high-level teams, and the girls embraced the opportunity,” Mount Vernon coach Trevor Trende said. “It was really exciting to see coming off break.”

Kiersten Swart led the way with a first-place finish at 115 pounds. She beat Amiyah Burdine of Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the final by pin.

“She had a late start to the season with an injury, and she’s now 100 percent healthy,” Trende said. “She has Kate Martin in the room to train with, and the results speak for themselves. They have both jumped levels.”

Martin finished runner-up at 110, falling to Amya Bass of Davenport Assumption in the finals.

“She hurt her ankle and got caught against the No. 2 girl in the state,” Trende said. “We’ll see her again in the future.”

Josie Panos (235) also finished runner-up, losing to Emelia Reyes of Prairie in the title match.

Quite a few Mustangs got tripped up by highly-ranked opponent.

“I always preach to them … summer wrestling makes winter champions,” Trende said.

Alexi Glaza (130) and Gracie Pinckney (170) finished third and Kaylee Kintzel (155) was fourth.

CPU INVITATIONAL

Team scores – 1. Cedar Rapids Prairie 216.5; 2. Waverly-Shell Rock 170.5; 3. Dallas Center-Grimes 145; 4. Mount Vernon 141; 5. Decorah 134.5; 6. Cedar Rapids Jefferson 109; 7. Cedar Rapids Kennedy 101; 8. West Delaware 92; 9. Waterloo West 79; 10. Benton Community 77.5; 11. Davenport Assumption 73.5; 12. Center Point-Urbana 61; 13. Cedar Rapids Washington 46; 14. Cascade 45; 15. Tipton 37; 16. Cedar Rapids Xavier 27; 17. Grinnell 23.5; 18. Clear Creek Amana 22; 19. Starmont 9; 20. North Cedar 8.

MOUNT VERNON

110 – Kate Martin, 2-1, second.

115 – Kiersten Swart, 3-0, first.

120 – Carly Elliott, 0-3.

130 – Alexi Glaza, 4-1, third.

135 – Lyla Glaza, 2-3, eighth.

140 – Josie Hocker, 2-3, eighth.

155 – Kaylee Kintzel, 3-2, fourth.

170 – Gracie Pinckney, 3-1, third.

190 – Audrey Dix, 1-3.

235 – Josie Panos, 2-1, second.