First season of Ballard girls wrestling was a huge success. Bombers sent three wrestlers to state
Ballard didn't have big numbers during its first official season of girls high school wrestling in 2022-2023.
But the wrestlers the Bombers did have made a name for themselves in helping pioneer girls wrestling at Ballard. The Bombers ended up sending three wrestlers to the girls state wrestling tournament in February at the Xtream Arena in Coralville.
"Our team, although small in numbers, was very successful," Ballard coach Dillon Combs said. "We were a pinning team that always went for the fall and refused to worry about the bigger schools. We were mentally tough and it showed with our success. These are first and second-year wrestlers and they are pinning almost everyone. It was awesome to watch unfold."
Six girls wrestled for Ballard during the season. Seniors Noel Boettger, Ally Baker and Caliegh Rhiner all made it to state, sophomore Liberty Boettger and Ayla Ott competed throughout the season and junior Lundyn Jones wrestled for part of the year.
"Our biggest challenge was only having six girls out for wrestling, but it was also an asset because this allowed us more individual coaching," Combs said. "I could work on individual game plans which ended up paying off big time in terms of their individual success. Moving forward as the sport grows we will get more practice partners, but more isn't always better."
Noel Boettger and Rhiner both topped 20 victories during the season and Baker just missed the mark.
"The biggest highlight of our season was qualifying all of our senior girls for state," Combs said. "Not only did they all qualify for State, but they all won matches at the State Tournament proving to everyone that they belonged there and how good of wrestlers they actually were."
Noel Boettger led the way. A 2022 state participant, Boettger went 27-4 with 23 pins at 130 pounds in 2023.
Boettger took first at 130 during the IGHSAU Super Regional 3 qualifier meet after going 3-0 with three wins by fall to qualify for state. At state she went 3-2 with two victories by fall and one by decision to just miss placing.
Rhiner went 22-7 at 145. She took third at the regional meet after going 4-1 with three pins and one victory by decision and was 1-2 at state with one win by decision.
Baker finished 18-7 at 120. She went 2-2 with a pair of pins to place fourth at the regional meet and at state she also finished 2-2 with a pair of falls.
"Watching Allison Baker, Noel Boettger and Caliegh Rhiner make it to state as seniors and have a combined 61 pins between the three of them was a testament to them buying into the process, sticking to the game plan and being mentally tough," Combs said. "These three were leaders in the room. They battled through injuries, illness and untested waters and in the end it was a successful season for them and for Ballard girls wrestling."
Liberty Boettger went 9-15 at 135. She went 1-2 at the super regional meet.
Ott was 7-9 at 155. She was 0-2 at the super regional.
Jones was 1-4 on the season at 125. She went 0-2 during super regionals.
Next season it will be extremely difficult to replace the three seniors. But the three returning wrestlers have all shown potential and if Ballard can grow in numbers the Bombers could field a competitive team in 2023-2024.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ballard sends three to state in first season of girls wrestling
