Redhawk sophomore Olivia Youngblood, top, wrestles during the Class 1A Region 4 state qualifier held in Williamsburg last Friday. Youngblood went 3-2 overall at 120 pounds including two pinfall wins on the backside of the bracket. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

WILLIAMSBURG – In addition to North Tama’s state qualifiers Briar Blake and Addison ‘Addy’ Hochstetler, five other Redhawk wrestlers competed at the Class 1A Region 8 state qualifier meet held in Williamsburg last Friday night including sophomore Grace Dvorak who was ranked for the first time just prior to regionals, clocking in at No. 8 at 105 pounds.

“She was probably in one of the toughest brackets in the tournament,” head coach Andrew Knaack said of his smallest, but by far scrappiest wrestler. “I am high on her ability to be pushing for the state tournament next year and being on the podium. I am not the only one who noticed how good she can be.”

At regionals, Dvorak was pinned in the quarterfinals by Wilton’s Natalie Hartman after five minutes, 21 seconds. In the consolation semifinals, she lost by pinfall to Pekin’s Lexa Nelson. Both wrestlers were ranked.

“Grace had some big wins [ahead of regionals] and built her confidence,” Knaack continued. “She was upset about not qualifying; I hope this motivates her this spring and summer.”

Redhawk sophomore Olivia Youngblood also performed well for the Redhawks at Williamsburg, going 3-2 overall at 120 pounds including two pinfall wins on the backside of the bracket.

North Tama's Grace Dvorak, left, faces off against Pekin’s Lexa Nelson in the 105-pound regional semifinal bracket last Friday in Williamsburg. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“Olvia was in the biggest bracket,” Knaack explained. “Every time you turned around, she was up wrestling again. She came to compete. She didn’t make the state tournament, but she proved to herself that she could be there next year. Getting that many victories at regionals will get her going for next season.”

North Tama senior Ava Monat stepped onto the mat for the final time at Williamsburg after taking up the sport only last season. At 130 pounds, she went 1-2 during regionals, notching a pinfall win in the first round over Pekin’s Harper Guise in one minute, 50 seconds.

“This girl is the quietest girl you will ever meet,” Knaack said of Monat, a genuinely kind and compassionate soul whose maturity belies her young years. “You see her and talk to her, you may not think she can wrestle. But, two years ago she joined us and she was a competitor. She fought in every match at regionals. She made her opponents fight for every point. I am glad I got the opportunity to coach her.”

Rounding out the Redhawk roster at regionals, freshmen Calleigh Staker and Jocelyn Harms also took to the mats with Staker going 0-2 at 125 pounds and Harms going 1-2 at 135 pounds including a pinfall win on the backside over Cardinal Community’s Hadley Noe.

“Calleigh and Jocelyn came a long way from the first meet of the year,” Knaack said. “Jocelyn, I believe, improved the most from the first meet to the end of the season, while Calleigh got the taste of victory this season and that’s got her excited about next year.”

Redhawk senior Ava Monat, left, pictured during the Class 1A Region 8 state qualifying meet held at Williamsburg High School last Friday evening. Monat, who went 1-2 overall, wrestled for the last time in her high school career at the meet. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama freshman Jocelyn Harms, left, pictured last Friday during the Class 1A Region 8 state qualifier in Williamsburg. Harms was 1-2 overall at 135 pounds during the meet. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama head coach Andrew Knaack, right, and assistant coach Luke Dvorak watch as one of their wrestlers competes during the Class 1A Region 8 state qualifier. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER