‘Determined’ seasons end on podium

CORALVILLE — Both area wrestlers remaining on day two of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Girls’ Wrestling Tournament placed higher than what they were seeded.

Through determination and hard work, Williamsburg’s Keston Spratt and Iowa Valley’s Raelene Hawkins medaled in Class 1A to close out their seasons.

Hawkins started day two having to wrestle the one seed in the 170-pound bracket after an upset on day one.

North Tama’s Briar Blake pinned Hawkins in the first period of the third-round consolations.

Hawkins then had to wrestle in the seventh place match to close out the afternoon session.

It was a rematch with APGC’s Kira Cox, who defeated Hawkins at regionals.

Hawkins did not take long to defeat Cox, pinning her in 19 seconds.

“It was a good redemption match,” Hawkins said. “I took what she gave me, and she gave me her head.”

It was a gratifying way to end Hawkins’ junior campaign.

“It’s just really cool to see all the work pay off and have all the support behind me from both HLV and Iowa Valley,” said Hawkins after placing seventh.

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Spratt started her Friday with a victory.

In the 120-pound third-round consolation match, Spratt wasted no time getting to her offense.

A takedown in the first 10 seconds of both the first and second periods helped Spratt jump out to a 9-0 lead.

Davis got nearfall points in the third, but Spratt won by decision, 11-4, to advance to the consolation semifinals.

Spratt was pinned in the second period by Denver’s Lilli Cooper after getting an early lead, advancing to the fifth place match in the night session.

In that match, four-seeded Madison Swenson, of Osage, pinned Spratt in the first period to give Spratt a sixth-place finish at 120-pounds in 1A.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to compete against these other great opponents and represent Williamsburg,” Spratt said.

When asked how to describe her season Spratt said “determined.”

“At the beginning of the season I got injured, and I was questioning if I’d even be able to wrestle again,” said Spratt. “I followed through with the plan and kept working and ended up placing at the State Tournament.”

Area results

120: Keston Spratt

Third round consolation — Keston Spratt (WBURG) Malyn Davis (Algona); Consolation semifinals — Lilli Cooper (Denver) pinned Keston Pratt (WBURG); 2:54; Fifth place — Madison Swenson (Osage) pinned Keston Spratt (WBURG),: 29

170: Raelene Hawkins

Third round consolation — Briar Blake (North Tama) pinned Raelene Hawkins (Iowa Valley);: 37; Seventh place — Raelene Hawkins (Iowa Valley) pinned Kira Cox (APGC),: 19