The Iowa Central women’s wrestling team made a splash in their second season.

The Tritons finished behind Indian Hills as team champions, earning 10 medals including a national title.

Two medalists and five members return from that national runner up squad.

“It speaks highly of Iowa Central and the Fort Dodge community,” said Iowa Central head coach Zak Hensely. “We have set a standard for the community and are competing for national titles.

“As a program we reached the ultimate height in two years. We were so close that it keeps us hungry and wanting more.”

Former Fort Dodge Senior High state champion Alexis Ross enters the season as the top-ranked wrestler at 138 pounds, a year after placing third nationally at 136.

“There is a lot of pressure for Alexis as a young kid,” Hensely said. “She is representing more than herself and more than Iowa Central, she is wrestling for the entire community as a whole.

“She fell short of her goal last year and has made a lot of changes this year. Even with the setbacks, she finds a way to grow and I’m seeing her mindset shift and she is very positive.”

Aniyah Dinwiddie was also an All-American with Ross, placing fourth a year ago. She enters the season ranked No. 3 in the nation at 124 pounds.

Freshman Annabelle Petsinger is ranked No. 2 in the nation at 124 pounds.

“She has had great development,” Hensely said. “Falling short last year lit a fire under her. We have the second and third-ranked wrestlers in the nation, not only battling to be the starter, but to be the best in the country.

“It’s fun to watch and see her mindshift. She is working on her diet, work ethic and grades.”

Also back for the Tritons is Myah Rausch (103), Kammie Schanz (145) and Cynthia Ellis (207).

“Rausch was a national qualifier and fell one match short of placing,” Hensely said. “She has all of the tools at her disposal and has great talent. She is one step away and she’ll continue to rise.”

Schanz is ranked second at 145 pounds.

“Kammie is doing really well and her and Alexis are leading with their actions,” Hensely said. “Every year we lose half of our team and watch these girls develop at the next level.

“Kammie has high goals and aspirations even after Iowa Central.”

Ellis was on the roster last season for the Tritons.

“Cynthia is a newer wrestler and came into her own,” Hensely said. “She’s had a lot of growth. She’s not scared of the work and has a positive mindset.”

In a two year turnover, Hensely knows how important a recruiting class is.

“We had a solid recruiting class,” Hensley said. “We brought in an elite contender at 160 pounds in Delise Vialla. She has college experience, transferring from William Jewell In Kansas City. “She has high school wrestling experience and has revamped her motivation, setting high goals.”

Petsinger comes to Iowa Central from Minnesota.

“Annabelle is a Minnesota kid. She is a tough farm kid,” Hensley said. “She’s just over the state line, but has that Iowa style and wrestles hard no matter what the score is.

“She is injured now, but we’ll see her next week.”

Avery Mohr (131) is familiar to Iowa Central and wrestling, but comes back to the mat a year after competing with the Iowa Central softball team.

“Avery was a two-time state champion that spent a year on the softball team,” Hensely said. “She came back to the mat and has been doing extremely well. She has beaten a lot of University kids and has not lost a junior college match.

“She is still under the radar and is exciting to watch. She is high octane and is constantly on the go.”

Former South Central Calhoun wrestler Kaley Timmerman will also compete for the Tritons at 131 pounds.

“She (Tmmerman) has been doing really well,” Hensely said. “She can just step in and she’s what we need to build a program.”

Hensely will be assisted by April Ritts.

Roster

Isabella Allen, Emily Angelo, Rhonda Auradou, Ellie Brenneman, Hannah Brown, Aneth Campos, Aniyah Dinwiddie, Cynthia Ellis, Amaya Fairley Vasquez, Allie Grow.

Krystol Luna Ruiz, Olivia Fausnaugh, Avery Mohr, Eavenly Nealson, Annabella Petsinger, Myah Rausch, Lacey Reed, Alexis Ross, Kammie Schanz, Brylie Schaub, Naomi Sohrialoff, Kaley Timmerman, Delise Villa, Issah Turrentine, Brianna Salgado.

Schedule

Dec. 4 — Iowa Western; 7 — at Carthage Classic (Kenosha, WI); 15 — at North Central Open (Naperville, IL).

Jan. 15 — at Indian Hills; 18 — at Cornell Invitational; 23 — NIACC; 25 — Womens Coaches Association Duals (Potreau, OK).

Feb. 1 — at Grand View Open; 5 — Iowa Lakes.