Tigers return three state qualifiers

MARENGO — The Iowa Valley girls’ wrestling team is returning all three state qualifiers from last season in Skyler Hoyt, Raelene Hawkins and Breanna Peach.

All three are ranked in the preseason.

Peach was a state place winner, finishing runner-up in the heavyweight division. The Tigers’ junior is the preseason No. 1.

The Tigers graduated a few seniors from last year, but are expected to have four girls from HLV join their group of six.

“They will compliment each other really well,” Iowa Valley assistant coach Jeremy Kriegel said. “I look forward to working with this team.”

Hawkins was the lone wrestler last season from HLV to wrestle for the Tigers in the sport merger, and that partnership will continue this season.

The move to two classes, which was announced this summer, will affect the Tigers. They will be 1A, and will be able to compete more against schools their own size when qualifying for and competing at state.

“It will be nice at the end of the season,” Kriegel said.

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Lucas Krakow will be the head coach for the girls’ team this season, with Shawn Huedepohl as an assistant. Kriegel will also serve as an assistant, but is primarily the boys’ wrestling head coach.

The Tigers begin practice Monday.

“They are a group of girls with great energy and good work ethics,” Kriegel said. “They make it enjoyable to be in the room with day in and day out. We have a good group of coaches and a great group of girls.”

The Tigers open their season with a quad dual at BGM Nov. 18.