Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

NORTH LIBERTY – The lineup for the Liberty High wrestling team is balanced, deep and talented from top to bottom.

The Lightning displayed all of that during a 73-6 win over Dubuque Senior in a Mississippi Valley Conference dual on Thursday in North Liberty.

As much as head coach Derek Coorough was impressed by what he saw during the dual on Thursday’s it’s what he continues to see before and after matches that excites Coorough most about this team.

“This team is really close,” Coorough said. “We are really solid from 100 all the way up and they are close. They hang out together before the matches, they are on the sideline together, after every win they are together. They are legitimately cheering for each other and their wrestling shows.”

That closeness combined with a lineup that features five top-10 ranked wrestlers has played a key part on a rousing season so far for the Lightning.

In its first competition since December 18 on Thursday Liberty High picked up where it left off after a strong start to the season.

Liberty High had six pins and added three tech falls in the win over Dubuque Senior improving to 4-0 in MVC dual meets.

A pair of wins by forfeit and a tech fall by sophomore Eva Pentecost (22-5) at 105 pounds got Liberty High rolling.

Eighth-ranked freshman standout Kate Eggleston (27-2) gave Liberty High a 23-0 lead with a first-period pin of Anastasia Wemmer at 115 pounds.

“She has beat like 15 ranked girls so far this season, she had a week in December where she beat six ranked girls in the same week,” Coorough said of Eggleston said. “That girl is legit, I look for a really good conference, regional and state run from her.”

Freshman Sophie Norman (19-12) and senior Kaitlin Raue (26-3) posted back-to-back tech falls at 120 and 125 pounds and Rebekka Steele and Acasia Lukalaba Ndomba had consecutive pins at 130 and 135 pounds.

Fifth-ranked senior Callum Wu pinned Kennedy Leibold in 1:00 at 145 pounds.

“She brings a special flare to the team,” Coorough said. “I really see her making a good run in the postseason.”

Ninth-ranked Peyten Van Dyke won a 13-4 major decision over Hayleigh Forster at 155.

“She was our first state place winner and that leadership shows,” Coorough said. “She’s been a good leader for our team.”

Mabel Howard and Emma Sanders each added first-period falls for Liberty High.

Liberty High 73, Dubuque Senior 6

100 – Ella McGonegle (ICL) won by forfeit

105 – Eva Pentecost (ICL) tech. fall Addisyn Blocklinger 15-0

110 – Evalynn Karam (ICL) won by forfeit

115 – Kate Eggleston (ICL) pinned Anastasia Wemmer 1:28

120 – Sophie Norman (ICL) tech. fall Naomi Rolling 15-0

125 – Kaitlyn Raue (ICL) tech. fall Sophia Molnar 19-4

130 – Rebekka Steele (ICL) pinned NaZayhia Franklin 2:30

135 – Acasia Lukalaba Ndomba (ICL) pinned Aubrey Tomkins 1:16

140 – Miata Sprank (DS) pinned Ella Nesham :29

145 – Callum Wu (ICL) pinned Kennedy Leibold 1:00

155 – Peyten Van Dyke (ICL) major dec. Hayleigh Forster 13-4

170 – Mabel Howard (ICL) pinned Amirrah Beaver 1:51

190 – Emma Sanders (ICL) pinned Madyson Jimerson-Patterson :36

235 – Abigail Carr (ICL) won by forfeit

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