Ali Wheeler, Madi James, Emma Belnog and Kara Rodriguez wrestled matches at the Mid-America Center on Friday and Saturday, claiming top-10 finishes during the Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic.
Wheeler led coach Terry Bellamy's Blair Bears, who finished 17th out of 35 teams in the standings, with a third-place finish. She went 5-1 at 120 pounds, capping her tournament with a third-period pin of 10-2 Kearney wrestler Sawyer Swarm during the third-place match.
The Bear's lone loss came to Waverly's Mackenzie Olson during the 120-pound semifinals. Otherwise, Wheeler notched two pins and a pair of seven-point decisions to go with her last victory.
James, meanwhile, claimed fifth at 145 pounds with a 6-1 weekend in Iowa. The wrestler won her last three matches after a quarterfinals loss to Olathe North (Kan.) wrestler Makenzie Sharp. Her final victory of the tournament came by 6-3 decision against Kearney's Stella Harbois.
Belnog won just one decision across eight matches at 130 pounds Friday and Saturday. The Blair standout instead went 5-3 overall with four pins, claiming her last in just 1:42 against Glenwood's Maya Rivas. The effort secured ninth in her weight class.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, was 10th at 155 pounds. She was 3-4 overall, earning her way into the ninth-place match with a second-period pin of Millard West's Lola Voss.
Altogether, nine Bears went a combined 34-26 during the Classic. Each wrestler won at least two matches with Jaslyn Raymond matching Belnog's pin total — four. James, Rodriguez and Wheeler had three pins apiece.
Bella Borges, however, earned BHS' fastest fall. She stopped one opponent in just 18 seconds.
Emma Himes added an 11th-place finish at 100 pounds, too, while Siene Smith notched the same place at 110. Jo Inget secured 15th at 140 pounds with a 3-4 record.
The Bears next compete in a 5 p.m. dual today at Columbus Lakeview.
COUNCIL BLUFFS WRESTLING CLASSIC
Friday-Saturday at Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs
GIRLS
Top-10 teams: Washburn 501.5, Raccoon River 493, Council Bluffs Lewis Central 473, Olathe North 336, Log-Mag-W 315.5, Millard South 307, Platte County 304, Garder-Edg 285.5, Grand Island 278, Kearney 267.5. Also: 17, Blair, 187.
Blair results
(Wrestler, weight: Tourney record, place)
Emma Himes, 100 pounds: 3-3, 11th.
Siena Smith, 110: 3-4, 11th.
Ali Wheeler, 120: 5-1, third.
Bella Borges, 125: 2-3, 21st.
Emma Belnog, 130: 5-3, ninth.
Jaslyn Raymond, 135: 4-3, 21st.
Jo Inget, 140: 3-4, 15th.
Madi James, 145: 6-1, fifth.
Kara Rodriguez, 155: 3-4, 10th.
