Kennedy, Schatz, Niewoehner advance to Girls’ State Wrestling Tournament

CRESCO - During an evening filled with blood, sweat, tears and smiles at the Class 1A Region 3 Tournament on Jan. 30, the Crestwood girls’ wrestling squad proved it could go nose-to-nose with the best grapplers in the state.

Competing against 17 solid teams at the region tourney, Cadet wrestlers Kara Kennedy (second at 105 pounds), Alanna Schatz (second at 115) and Rose Niewoehner (second at 235) all punched their ticket to the Class 1A State Tournament, which runs from Feb. 5-6 in Corralville. 

Kennedy and Niewoehner are making their second trip to State while Schatz will be competing at State for the first time.

As a team, the Cadets placed sixth overall with 107 points. Osage took first with 220 points, NH-TV was second with 216.5 and East Buchanan was third with 131. Lake Mills placed fourth with 127 points and Waukon took fifth with 115 points.

“It was a great team effort at regionals with our girls placing 6th out of 17 teams,” Cadet girls’ head coach Jerry Steffen said. “We were able to advance three girls to the state tournament.  

“Kara Kennedy, a senior, has put in a lot of off-season work.  She went to several freestyle events and practices as well as Fargo and our team camp.  She made the investment and got the reward.  Kara reached two milestones this season so far by getting over the 100-win mark and by qualifying for the state tournament.  She is not finished yet as she has a goal to get on the podium at the state tournament.  

“Alanna Schatz, a sophomore, also put in a lot of hard work with freestyle last spring and our team camp in the summer.  She went to several tournaments and never missed a practice.  Alanna’s record last year was 27-24 and this year it is 45-16.  It truly shows what hard work, determination and commitment can do.  Alanna has grit and will do everything she can to find her way on the podium.  

“Rose Niewoehner, a senior, put in lots of hard work and time during the freestyle season.  She went to several practices and tournaments. Rose wrestled at Fargo and our team camp. Rose also reached two milestones so far this season by getting over the 100-win mark and by qualifying for the state tournament.  She is not finished yet as she has a goal to get on the podium at the state tournament.  

“Our coaching staff is proud of the team’s accomplishments at regionals.  Even the girls that did not advance to the state tournament gave it their all and battled. Many of these girls also put in a lot of time in the off season and we are happy with their efforts.  It shows how tough it is to advance to state with how our 1A Regionals are set up.  With 17 schools and only the top two advancing, it doesn’t give you much wiggle room for any mistakes.  

“We got 6th out of 17 teams and qualified three girls to the state tournament and that was with four of our starters out. Unfortunately with injury, illness, etc, we were not able to see a few of our girls wrestle at Regionals.  

“Isla Schemmel put in a lot of hard work in the off season. She wrestled all spring and summer.  Isla wrestled at Fargo and won a few matches there which isn't easy to do.  She is very talented and we hope to see her back on the mat soon.  

“Kaidence Mahr has 31 wins on the season as a freshman. Unfortunately, with an injury at the Oelwein tournament, she was not able to wrestle at Regionals.  Kaidence has a promising future and we hope to see her back on the mat soon.  

“Amber Harmening suffered an injury at the Battle of Waterloo and was not able to wrestle the rest of the season.  She is a senior and had a good career.  

“Briana Burke is another starter that was out for us and did not wrestle at Regionals.  She is a senior and had a good career. With these four girls, who knows where we would have ended up in the team race or if we would have qualified even more girls to the state tournament.

“Our fan support was awesome, and it was great to be at home for this event," Steffen said.