The Fort Dodge girls wrestling team will open their season on Thursday when they host the FDSH Early Bird tournament.

The Dodgers will be joined by area schools Humboldt, Algona and Eagle Grove. Also in the field will be Boone and Des Moines Hoover.

Action starts at 5:30 p.m. with a round robin and/or bracket-style tournament.

“It’s always good to see live action before Thanksgiving,” said FDSH head coach Jon Koenig. “We are ready to go. The girls are excited to get started.”

The Dodgers, who advanced three athletes to the state tournament a year ago, will have one returning qualifier.

Junior Mariaha Benedict (43-6) will be a key contributor for the FDSH this season as a state veteran.

Koenig knows once they hit the mat, the season moves fast.

“I have to get them to understand that the next two months will fly by,” Koenig said. “We have Ridge View on Saturday and then Iowa Central.

“It’s a busy two weeks right off the bat. Then we go to the Donnybrook, which is one of the hardest tournaments.”