On to the big stage

Amelia Sirola will represent Okoboji/HMS at the 2024 girls' state wrestling championships. The Okoboji athlete earned the trip to state by placing third at the regional qualifier on Jan. 26 at Mason City.

Wrestling in the 235-pound bracket, Sirola lost by fall in the semifinals to Aniyah Smith of Mason City (5:12). In consolation action, Sirola won by fall over Kinley Stambaugh of North Central Trailblazers (1:03) and Eden Lamborn of Nashua-Plainfield (0:40). In a rematch with Smith for third place, Sirola won by fall in 1:36.

The junior takes a 13-13 record into the state wrestling championships, Feb. 1-2 at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Seeded No. 27 out of 32 competitors, Sirola is paired against No. 6 Emma Cook of Colfax-Mingo (5-4).

Eight other Pioneers competed at the regional qualifier, but none finished in the Top 4.

Okoboji/HMS scored 51 points and finished 15th among the 24 teams. Decorah topped the standings with 254 points.

• Pioneers sweep Siouxland duals

Okoboji/HMS won a pair of Siouxland Conference girls' wrestling duals at Rock Valley on Jan. 23. The Pioneers defeated MOC-Floyd Valley, 54-18, and edged Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley, 42-36.

Brooke Stockdale (100 pounds), Dulce Ortega (105), Kimberly Bergeson (130) Avery Ballis (135), Krishauna Allen (155) and Jennesa Gates (170) were 2-0. Finishing 1-1 were Brilee Fauth (125), Shianne Cummings (140), Layla Kalsow (145) and Sirola (190/235).

Okoboji/HMS improved its overall dual record to 7-2 and conference record to 4-1.

The Pioneers also placed third as a team at the East Sac County tournament on Jan. 22. Ridge View won the title with 207 points, Carroll was second with 154 and Okoboji/HMS finished third with 96.

Sirola was the champion at 235 pounds. Runner-up finishers were Ortega (110) and Gates (170). Placing third were Stockdale (100) and Ballis (135), while Kalsow (145) and Allen (155) finished fourth. Adding sixth-place finishes were Fauth (125) and Cummings (140).