Young, Carter give Central women first individual wrestling crowns
STORM LAKE — For the first time in the program’s short history, the Central College women’s wrestling team had individual champions as Emma Carter (sophomore, 170 pounds, St. Louis, Mo., Parkway West HS) and Asia Young (freshman, 235 pounds, Houston, Texas, Cypress Ridge HS) took first at the Buena Vista Open Saturday.
A total of 36 wrestlers from five different Iowa colleges made up the field and gave Central its greatest chance for success so far this season. Every weight class was a round robin pool instead of a bracket.
“I would say this is the best we’ve wrestled all year,” coach Paige Baynes said. “The other teams were all fairly new programs as well and it was something our team could match up against.”
Young went 4-0 at 235 pounds to earn her title. She won three times by fall and added a technical fall victory as well.
“We’re starting to see the gap close for Asia and seeing what we’ve been working on in the practice room translate to the match,” Baynes said.
Overcoming a loss in the fourth round, Carter won her other four matches by fall to seal the title.
“She was more offensive this week and was able to capitalize off mistakes that were made,” Baynes said. “We’re hoping to build off of this for our next competition.”
Esther Hughes (sophomore, Kalona, Hillcrest Academy) made her debut at 143 pounsd coming off a soccer injury and had a technical fall victory in her first ever wrestling match.
“She wrestled hard in her first tournament,” Baynes said. “She’s a good listener and a natural at wrestling. I have no doubt in my mind that she is going to go far in the sport, and I look forward to watching her grow.”
Jenna Hernandez (senior, Huxley, Ballard HS) is also a newcomer to wrestling this year and broke through for her first win with a pin in her opening match.
“I couldn’t be prouder of her,” Baynes said. “She’s put in so much hard work and dedication into a sport she just started. She’s always learning and growing.”
The Dutch are off until the NWCA Nuway Open in Cedar Falls on January 6.
