Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Emelia Reyes wins IGHSAU state wrestling title

CORALVILLE — When Emelia Reyes was in elementary school, the boys in class received informational sheets on joining the wrestling club.

Only the boys.

“Why can’t I go to that?” Reyes recalled asking at the time. The question lingered through middle school until, as a Cedar Rapids Prairie freshman, another informational meeting came around.

This time, the girls were invited.

“I begged my parents,” Reyes said. “I came home and I begged my parents. Went to the beginner’s night, wrestled in my socks and right afterward I was like, ‘Mom, we have to go get me some shoes. Because I have to wrestle.’”

The younger Reyes was clearly onto something. Three years later and now a junior at Prairie, she blitzed the 235-pound bracket at the Class 2A state tournament and won the title Friday night at Xtream Arena.

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“It took a lot of work in the offseason,” Reyes said. “It took open mats, freestyle season and wrestling with a bunch of adult men. Getting my butt whooped every single week, over and over again. That’s how I got better.”

While the top-seeded Reyes finished the season at 43-1 and pinned No. 2-seed Delilah Subsin of Ottumwa in two minutes for the 235 crown, improvement was needed to make it happen. In each of the past two seasons — her first two years of wrestling, ever — Reyes was undone at state by correctable errors.

“It was sloppy mistakes,” Prairie Coach Zachary Becicka said. “Last year, she fell to a hip, got out of position and got pinned. I knew her goal was to place, but I think that lit a fire. Everything happens for a reason.”

Now, Reyes will flip from the hunter to the hunted. Fully expecting a significant target on her back for her senior campaign, Reyes says the preparation starts now.

“I’m so excited for next year,” Reyes said. “I’m so excited for freestyle. I can’t wait. Can’t wait."

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South Tama’s Elsbury repeats at 170

Autumn Elsbury’s “redemption tour” is complete.

One can’t tell from the win-loss record, but this season was a bit of a struggle for the defending 170-pound state champion. Elsbury sustained a few losses to opponents that clearly had her name circled from the get-go.

“It was a struggle, it was hard on me,” Elsbury said after winning another state championship at 170 Friday at Xtream Arena. “I’ve had some ups and downs this season, but it has pushed me more to defend my state title.”

This year’s march through the 170 bracket offered the added bonus of a little payback. Elsbury avenged earlier losses to North Metro’s Payton Traynor and Ana Simon of Decorah en route to a title match against Waverly-Shell Rock’s Amalia Djoumessi, who entered the state meet with just one loss.

After surrendering an early takedown, Elsbury pinned Djoumessi in 3:33 to repeat as 170-pound state champion.

“I knew I could come back,” Elsbury said. “I have had so many matches where I am losing and then I come back. I just have to keep my cool and keep fighting.”

Elsbury finished the season with a 40-4 record. Now a two-time state champion, she hopes to wrestle in college.

“it’s pure hard work,” South Tama Coach Jason Arp said. “She is nonstop. She lives wrestling, 24-7, 365. That is her sport. It’s just guts and determination. She took some losses early in the year which I think kind of refocused her.”

Iowa City Liberty boasts six medalists

In the team standings, Raccoon River Northwest repeated as 2A champion with 148.5 points.

Iowa City Liberty (82.5 points) was the highest area finisher, bolstered by a whopping six medalists. Five of the six wrestlers won their last match, including sisters Evelyn Eggleston (140 pounds) and Kate Eggleston (115), who both placed third. Sophomore Eva Karam (110) and junior Peyten Van Dyke (155) were fifth in their respective weight classes. Callum Wu finished seventh at 145, while fellow senior Taylor Cavanh (105) was eighth.

Other area finishes

Linn-Mar senior Kate Seery (115 pounds), Decorah senior Lauren Luzum (145) and Iowa City West sophomore Eva Jara (190) each fell short in their state championship matches and earned second place.

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