The Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWOCA) Girls State Wrestling Tournament kicks off today at the XStream Arena in Coralville with two area schools represented. The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks will send 10 participants to compete on the sports biggest stage for female athletes. Competing for the Hawks will be freshman Abigail Grout at 106lbs, junior Emil Harmston at 113lbs, at 126 freshman Ellie Brenneman and junior Bronwyn Brenneman, senior Caitlyn Busch and sophomore Marissa Cline at 138, at 145 junior Madison Kelly and sophomores Mia Garvey and Brittney Pfeiffer, and at 152 senior Sarah Meader. Meader and Garvey have been featured this year in the girl’s state individual rankings produced by iawrestle.com at their respective weight classes. Meader comes into the tournament with a 19-3 overall record, Garvey is 10-6. Bronwyn Brenneman is also over the 10 win mark this season at 12-5.

The Highland Huskies are sending three to Coralville including Angelina Roling and Mackenie McFarland at 106lbs and Maddie Peiffer at 138. All three have identical 3-5 records on the season. This week, Highland head coach Derick Ball talked about the trio. “I got these three girls that no matter what I ask them to do, how hard I push them, they keep coming back and they keep working hard. I call them trendsetters. They are the ones that have laid the foundation for Highland girls wrestling. For the first time in school history we are sending three girls to compete at the state meet. We are going there to try to win some matches, continue to progress, and lay the foundation for the program.”

Action gets underway this afternoon and continues through the weekend in Coralville.