After first-place finishes at both the Newton Invite and Williamsburg Invite, the STC girls wrestling team traveled to Benton on Thursday, Dec. 12, looking to keep momentum high. In their dual against the Bobcats, the evening did not disappoint.

The dual started in the 155 weight class, where Benton got off to an early lead when sophomore Layna DeMoss pinned STC senior Abigail Chyma in the third period. However, the Trojans came roaring back in the 170 class when junior Autumn Elsbury took a mere 46 seconds to pin Benton’s Morgan Brown. This was followed by another first period pin by sophomore Ioleta Kingbird in the 190-weight class. Following forfeit wins by Trojan sophomore Kinley Jimenez (235 lbs.) and sophomore Livia Smith (100 lbs.), STC was off to a commanding start.

The Trojans continued to dominate throughout the night, with pins secured by freshman Jayva Gomez (105 lbs.), junior Ava Hendricks (115 lbs.), sophomore Keylee Holloway (125 lbs.), sophomore Brooklyn Mitchell (130 lbs.), sophomore Maylee Rucker (140 lbs.), and sophomore Paisley Bro (145 lbs.).

STC also scored a hard-fought victory by junior Taylor Johannsen at 110-pounds. Johannsen went the distance with Benton junior Courtney Hlas before winning a 12-2 decision for the Trojans. In a similar way, STC sophomore Ava Perkins fought through an injury to go the distance and defeat Benton’s Izzy Schoettmer, 8-5.

In the end, the Trojans won the dual in convincing fashion by a score of 64-9.

Up next for the girls wrestling team is a trip to the John ‘Bubba’ Randles Wrestling Invite at Cedar Rapids Prairie High School on Saturday, Dec. 21. Following a break for the holidays, the team resumes action on Saturday, Jan. 4 at the BGM Invite.