Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

CEDAR RAPIDS – Teagyn Hartz was a part of history last season as a qualifier for the first ever IGHSAU sanctioned state wrestling tournament in state history.

Hartz has kept on making history this season.

A week after becoming the first River Valley Conference champion in West Branch history Hartz added another to her growing list of career firsts on Friday.

Hartz became the first regional champion in West Branch history pinning her way to the 170-pound title at the Region 6 qualifier at Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids.

“It feels really good,” Hartz said. “Especially to be the first West Branch girl to do it, it feels really good.”

Hartz (25-2) continued her brilliant junior season with a dominating effort at the regional meet on Friday.

Hartz posted four consecutive pins to win the 170-pound title including a second-period pin of Liberty High’s Kensi Steele in the title match.

“I felt when she was off and I brought my hips up and circled,” Hartz said. “That worked for me.”

Hartz was a state qualifier at 170 pounds last season, finishing runner-up at the regional meet in Cedar Rapids before going 1-2 in her state meet debut.

Since her 1-2 performance at state last season Hartz has worked hard on her offensive skills and saw that work pay off on Friday.

“I definitely worked on offense, shooting more shots and just being more offensive,” Hartz said. “My brother has been a big help to me with that. He’s pushing me.”

Hartz pinned Kadence McGee of Mediapolis in 28 seconds, Ivory Lesly of Davenport in 2:53 and Ava Pfab of Western Dubuque in 2:12 to reach the championship.

She trailed Steele 9-4 in the second period when she put the Liberty High senior on her back.

“It feels amazing,” Hartz said. “It feels good to be able to win, and get a pin knowing that everyone is here to watch.”

Hartz is now the first two-time state qualifier in program history and will attempt to join Emmersen Thomas who placed seventh last season as West Branch state medalists.

“It means a lot to do some of these things for the first time,” Hartz said. “It’s fun to feel like you are helping to grow the sport.”

Clear Creek Amana will send three wrestlers to the state meet for the second consecutive season.

Marlie McBride, Hallen Bormann and Jordan Hunt all secured state tournament spots on Friday with top-four finishes.

McBride (27-14) returned to the state meet for the second year in a row with a third-place finish at 115 pounds.

McBride won a 6-3 decision over Hannah Park of Davenport in the third-place match.

Bormann (17-18) finished fourth at 135 pounds and Hunt (20-21) was fourth at 170 pounds to secure spots at the state meet.

Region 6 Tournament  

At Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids   

Team scores – 1. Bettendorf 230.5; 2. Vinton-Shellsburg 225; 3. Mount Vernon 172; 4. Cedar Rapids Kennedy 166; 5. Solon 145.5; 6. Davenport 137; 7. North Scott 124; 8. Benton Community 115; 9. Liberty High 110; 10. Western Dubuque 95; 11. Burlington 87; 12. Alburnett 81; 13. Durant 72; 14. West Branch 63; 15. Clear Creek Amana 57; 16. Muscatine 53; 17. Wapello 47; 18. Highland 47; 19. Davenport Assumption 29; 20. WACO 27; 21. Maquoketa 26; 22. Keokuk 23; 23. Lone Tree 13; 24. Mount Pleasant 3

Championship matches; State qualifiers  

100 – 1. Kara VeDepo (SOL) tech. fall Olivia Hernandez (BET) 15-0; 3. Taylor Cavanh (ICL); 4. Kenadee Helscher (WAP)

105 – 1. Lainey Shelangoski (DUR) dec. McKenna Rogers (SOL) 7-4; 3. Kaelynn Roster (V-S); 4. Jacey Mason (DAV)

110 – 1. Kiersten Swart (MV) pinned Angelia Roling (HIG) 3:00; 3. Emily See (BET); 4. Rylee Rice (WAC)

115 – 1. Taylor Strief (BET) dec. Ellie Weets (V-S) 16-11; 3. Marlie McBride (CCA); 4. Hannah Park (DAV)

120 – 1. Bree Swenson (V-S) pinned Nesa Selmani (BET) 2:35; 3. Alannah Mahoney (SOL); 4. Olivia Hallam (CRK)

125 – 1. Hannah Rogers (BET) pinned Jadalynn Daily (DAV) :30; 3. Camden Erhardt (V-S); 4. Ava Streeter (DUR)

130 – 1. Chloe Sanders (V-S) pinned Lexy Petersen (BET) 3:53; 3. Lyni Gusick (ALB); 4. Harmony Hansel (NS)

135 – 1. Evelyn Eggleston (ICL) pinned Morgan Strief (BET) 5:14; 3. Meika Neal (MV); 4. Halle Bormann (CCA)

140 – 1. Lizzy Wolf (BC) pinned Izzy Giza (BET) 1:04; 3. Olivia Bonnema (SOL); 4. Sadie Burke (V-S)

145 – 1. Greta Brus (DAV) dec. Layna DeMoss (BC) 11-5; 3. Shariah Hart (BUR); 4. Jalyiah Gardner (KEO)

155 – 1. Tatum Wolford (WAP) pinned Dakota Cornell (V-S) 2:15; 3. Elsie Lewis (MUS); 4. Ashlynn Carter-Shook (MV)

170 – 1. Teagyn Hartz (WB) pinned Kensi Steele (ICL) 3:52; 3. Gracie Pinckney (MV); 4. Jordan Hunt (CCA)

190 – 1. Libby Dix (MV) pinned Joscelyn Stricker (CRK) 5:28; 3. Sharidan Engelken (WD); 4. Madison Andrews (NS)

235 – 1. Ella Brown (CRK) pinned Kiara Rodriguez (BUR) 20-10; 3. Adrianna Shepherd (WD); 4. Sage Dzeladini (NS)

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