Bombers on the Mat at Pleasantville
Ballard Goes 1-3 on the Night
The Ballard women's wrestling team competed in a full slate of duals Monday at the Pleasantville Dual Tournaments, gaining valuable mat time against a strong field that included Ankeny, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Creston, and host Pleasantville.
Ballard opened the night against Ankeny, where the Bombers faced one of the deepest lineups in the state. Despite the 66–6 team score, Ballard earned a highlight victory at 120 pounds as Evelyn Faubus secured a fall over Yaretzi Gardner in 1:44. Faubus continued to be a steady force throughout the evening, consistently setting the tone for the lineup.
The Bombers rebounded in their second dual with a strong performance against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, earning a 40–18 team win. Ballard picked up multiple bonus-point victories, including falls by Faubus at 125 pounds, Esther Wilson at 130, and Valentina Gutierres at 190. Harper Coppock added a major decision at 120 pounds, while Kentley Wierson and Felicity Sharp each earned wins by forfeit to help Ballard pull away on the scoreboard.
Ballard followed with a tightly contested dual against Creston, coming up just short in a 39–36 loss. The Bombers again found success in the middle and upper weights, with first-period falls from Faubus at 120 and Coppock at 125, along with a forfeit win by Wilson at 130. Gutierres capped the dual with a fall at 190 pounds, but Creston's depth proved to be the difference in the final tally.
In the final dual of the night, Ballard fell to host Pleasantville 40–18. Wins for the Bombers came from Faubus at 120, Coppock at 125, and Gutierres at 190, each earning six team points.
With Monday's competition complete, Ballard's dual record stands at 5–12 on the season.
The Bombers now turn their focus to postseason action as they travel to South Tama on Friday, January 30, for the State Qualifying Meet, beginning at 4:00 PM.
