-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Brooklyn Nelson of Fort Dodge wrestles against Algona during Dodgers Invite on Friday

Brooklyn Nelson, and Makayla Liska picked the perfect time for their first tournament titles.

Nelson claimed gold at 110 pounds, while Liska was the 155 pound champion during the seventh annual Fort Dodge Invitational.

Fort Dodge junior Mariaha Benedict, chasing her second title, earned her second runner up honors of her career.

Nelson (19-9) won three matches on the night.

She earned a 18-2 tech fall over Makayla Erpelding of Algona in the quarters. In the semifinals she had a major decision over Humboldt’s Gracey May and won the title with a 12-4 major over LeMars’ Keira Hessenius, 12-4.

“Brooklyn had a really good day,” Koenig said. “She is getting closer to being back to normal after being sick.

“She has state in her eyes and is definitely staying focused and doing the little things.”

Liska (25-9) cruised to the crown with three falls. She pinned Humboldt’s Dayton Cleghorn in 31 seconds of the quarterfinals and then pinned Julie Maylium (23-3) of Perry in 4:45.

In the championship round, it was another first period fall, beating Gracey Smith of Clear Lake, 1:42.

“She (Liska) definitely showed that she has a lot of skills,” Koenig said. “She is getting better at more things and has that grit and determination.

“I’m super proud of her and she should be proud of herself.”

Benedict earned a technical fall over Autumn Olsen of LeMars, 19-4 in the 135 pound quarterfinals. In the semifinals she had another 19-4 tech fall, beating Reece Logan of Spirit Lake Park.

She lost a 5-1 decision to Kallie Gibbons of Mason City.

“The girl Mariah had in the finals has been wrestling for a while and is pretty good,” Koenig said. “We just have to prepare better. She was pretty upset and just has to realize the bigger picture and know this is only a snapshot.”

Nelly Leyva (105) placed fourth for the Dodgers. Eyva had three falls.

“I’m proud of all of our girls,” Koenig said. “They might not have won, but they’re taking shots and getting better.

“They’re not moping or pouting after a loss. I’m proud of them.”

Koenig was happy with all of the help to be able to put this tournament together.

“Being able to do what we are doing, starting at five and getting down in around four hours is a testament to the community,” Koenig said. “With the support from the community and guys like Todd Carver and Sonny Rivera and other coaches it’s huge. A lot of these guys will be here for the Don Miller and the kids tournament on Sunday.”

Humboldt

Humboldt’s Brooklyn Robinson (21-2) won the 235 pound class with three first period falls.

She beat Fort Dodge’s Addie Mikesell in 25 seconds, Dubuque Wahlert’s Olivia Seay in 11 seconds and pinned Aniyah Smith of Mason City in 1:51 of the championship match.

Kennedy Robinson (12-12) was second at 190 pounds. She beat teammate Addie Meyer in 1:53 of the quarters, Wahlert’s Leah Rolling in 1:14 of the semis and lost to Clear Lake’s Zoe Koontz in 2:50.

Danica Diedrick (22-4) placed third at 170 pounds. Diedrick pinned Precious Kredit of Sioux Center in 4:32.

Finishing fourth for the Wildcats was Meyer, Dayton Cleghorn (155), and Gracey May (110).

Laina Dettmann (21-5) was third at 130 pounds. She had three falls on the day.

Algona

Laura Stohr (20-6) was the lone champion for the Bulldogs. Stohr won the 115 pound crown with two falls, a major decision and a decision.

She pinned Corah Schult of Sioux Center in 2:35 of the finals.

Finishing third for Algona was Malyn Davis (120), Mara Davis (100) and Sienna Fehr (135). Placing fourth was Alissa Engel (130), Emmy Owen (140).

Emmetsburg

Taylor Thayer (18-5) claimed the 120 pound championship for Emmetsburg.

Taylor had a fall, tech fall, medical forfeit and a decision. She earned a 17-0 tech fall over Summer Fliss of Spencer in the finals.