Both Mid-Prairie wrestling teams return to the mat Thursday in dual action. The Golden Hawk girls put their unbeaten record on the line in a double dual at Cedar Rapids Prairie against Iowa City Liberty and the Prairie Hawks. Mid-Prairie is 3-0 in duals this season after sweeping through Iowa City Liberty, Iowa City West and West Liberty just before Thanksgiving. The Hawks were last in action Saturday, when they finished fourth of 17 teams at the Vinton-Shellsburg tournament led by junior Gabi Robertson who won the title at 100lbs. She spoke this week with KCII sports about what led to her success Saturday and in the early season. “Going into it, I wanted to work on my shots and take more shots before I just pinned them. Also wanted to get the pin early so I didn’t have to wear myself out. In the first match, I took her down once, she kept slipping the cradle, so I just left it and pinned her. Second girl, I took her down and then she was able to get back up so I took her down again and pinned her. Standing at the top of the podium is an amazing feeling. Everybody is there. There’s cameras in your face. You’re just smiling. It’s a great feeling to be up there. I’ve been using my offense a lot more than I have in past years. I think that’s really helping me.”

Robertson is 14-3 on the year. Other Golden Hawks over .500 include Ashlee Farrier 13-4, Ellie Brenneman 13-5, Marissa Cline 13-7, Ellie Callahan 12-6, Kenda Shqair 11-10, Mia Garvey 10-4 and Grace Conway 9-7.

Liberty is 1-4 on the dual season. The Hawks beat the Lightning by a 51-10 score earlier this year. Cedar Rapids Prairie is 6-2 this season. Action starts tonight at 6p.m. at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids.

The Golden Hawk boys are back to duals tonight with a trip to Mount Pleasant for a pair of non-conference clashes against Mount Pleasant and Fort Madison. The Golden Hawks are 3-5 on the dual season after splitting with a loss to Monticello and a win over Regina in Iowa City in an RVC Tri last Thursday. Last action for the Hawks was Saturday when they were third at their home Colton Allen Memorial Invitational, led by 120lb champ Mose Yoder and 220lb champ Quinn Callahan. Those two joined KCII Sports to talk about the day Saturday and what has led them to recent success. Yoder said, “Saturday was about going in there, getting business done. Really important for me to stay on my offense and get to my shots first. It’s a great feeling to be at the top of the podium and hold that big bracket out in front of you with all of your teammates down there cheering for you. Definitely important to stay humble while you’re up there.”

Callahan broke it down this way, “Saturday, my first match was against one of my teammates. It came down to the wire in overtime, but I was able to get the job done. Kid from CCA, wrestled through him later and came out with a win. I really think my offense is starting to come on. Coach (Jared) Duwa is helping me a lot with that. It feels good after a long week of practicing technique and conditioning to know that the work is paying off.”

Hawks with records over. 500 this year include Owen Trimpe 13-2, Terry Bordenave 5-1, and Mason Howe 5-2.

Fort Madison is 3-1 in duals this year, sweeping Burlington, Mediapolis and Wapello last time out. Mount Pleasant is 0-7 this year after dropping five duals at the Grinnell tournament last weekend. Action starts tonight at 6p.m. at Mount Pleasant High School.