The Ballard Bombers women's wrestling team showcased perseverance and hard work at the Cardinal Invite in Clarinda, finishing 10th overall with 60.5 team points in a competitive field led by Creston, which captured the team title with 172 points.  Ballard's standout performance came from sophomore Evelyn Faubus at 130 pounds, who powered her way to a 2nd-place finish, earning 23.5 points for the team.  Faubus dominated her early matches, securing three falls and a technical fall before narrowly falling in the championship bout to West Central Valley's Willow Ray in a closely contested 3-1 decision.

Liberty Boettger had a strong showing at 135 pounds, finishing 5th and adding 13.0 points to Ballard's total. Boettger's day included a decisive fall over Anna Schuette of Kuemper Catholic in her final match.  Afton Holmes (140 pounds) and Alivia Glenn (120 pounds) each earned 6th-place finishes, contributing 6.0 points apiece.  Holmes recorded a pin over Olivia Bandow of Tri-Center in the consolation rounds, while Glenn advanced through the bracket with a medical forfeit before finishing 6th.

Additional contributions came from Aaliyah Buck (110 pounds) and Esther Wilson (125 pounds), who both scored 4.0 points for the Bombers.  Buck highlighted her performance with a consolation pin over Tri-Center's Trista McMullen, while Wilson recorded a first-round pin against Winterset's Bristol Tadlock. Sadie Ruby (145 pounds) also added 4.0 points to the team's total with a quick fall over Bella Johnston of Clarinda in the consolation bracket.

The Bombers will look to carry this momentum into their next competition at the Ogden Tournament on Saturday, January 11, at 10:00 AM.

CARDINAL INVITE TEAM SCORES (TOP 5)

1. Creston, 172

2. Clarinda, 158.5

3. West Central Valley, 99

4. Glenwood, 89

5. Treynor, 74.5

10. Ballard, 60.5

CARDINAL INVITE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

110 1b Aaliyah Buck - (1-1)

120 lb Alivia Glenn - (1-4), 6th Place

125 lb Esther Wilson - (1-2)

130 lb Evelyn Faubus - (3-1), Runner-Up

135 lb Liberty Boettger - (2-2), 5th Place

140 lb Afton Holmes - (1-3), 6th Place

145 lb Sadie Ruby - (1-1)

Photo Credit: Davidson Photography