Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

CEDAR RAPIDS – Last season Evelyn Eggleston lost her final match at the regional meet but still earned a spot at the state tournament.

In her second regional appearance Eggleston was much more emphatic in securing a return trip to the state meet.

Eggleston dominated her way through the 135-pound bracket while becoming the first Liberty High regional champ on Friday at the Region 6 qualifier at Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids.

“Last year I finished fourth here, I lost my last match before state,” Eggleston said. “This year, to win it all and be on the top of the podium, it feels amazing.”

The title from Eggleston highlighted a strong day for the Lightning as Liberty High qualified three wrestlers for next week’s state meet at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Sophomore Taylor Cavanh finished third at 100 pounds to earn a second consecutive trip to state and senior Kensi Steele was runner-up at 170 pounds to secure her first trip to state.

Eggleston was the Liberty High standout on Friday, posting three consecutive pins on her way to the 135-pound title.

The sophomore needed 43 seconds to pin Alexis Howell of Western Dubuque in the quarterfinals and pinned Meika Neal of Mount Vernon in 4:50 in the semifinals.

“It was definitely less stressful this year,” Eggleston said. “I knew my stuff works so I just had to go out and give it my all.”

Eggleston (32-5) pinned Bettendorf senior Morgan Strief in 5:14 in the championship.

“I definitely had it in my mind and I was telling myself I can do this,” Eggleston said. “I just kept telling myself and eventually I started to believe it and it happened.”

After a scoreless first period in the title match Eggleston used a takedown and three near fall points to take a 5-0 lead.

Eggleston led 7-0 after a reversal 25 seconds into the third period before pinning Strief.

“I’ve gained confidence in everything,” Eggleston said. “I’ve gained confidence in my shots, my offense and really in myself.”

Cavanh (32-6) placed third at 100 pounds, winning a 4-0 decision of Kenadee Helscher of Wapello in the third-place match.

Steele (29-10) reached the 170-pound title match with three consecutive pins but was pinned by West Branch junior Teagyn Hartz in the title match.

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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