Charles City’s Luft, Osage’s Hemann Advance to State Title Matches 

Charles City’s Lilly Luft and Osage’s Gable Hemann have advanced to the title matches in their respective weight classes at the first-ever sanctioned Iowa Girls State Wrestling Tournament.

Luft, the Comets senior who will wrestle at the University of Iowa next fall, ran her season record to 39-0 with a 9-1 victory over Colbie Tenborg of Saydel in the semi-finals, earning her a spot in the 130-pound championship match Friday night. Luft is seeking her third straight state title.

Hemann, just a sophomore, will represent the Green Devils in the 100-pound championship match after she scored her fourth pin in as many matches at the X-Treme Arena in Coralville. Hemann is 44-2 after beating Waukon’s Mia Kurth in the semi-finals to advance to Friday night’s finals.

Hemann’s teammate, senior Jaylin Goodale, was upset in the 110-pound semi-finals by Bree Swenson of Vinton-Shellsburg. The fourth-seeded Swenson handed the top-seeded Goodale just her second loss of the season. Goodale is still alive on the consolation side of the bracket with a chance to finish third.

New Hampton-Turkey Valley’s Ali Russler also has a chance to place third after she was defeated 4-3 by Waverly-Shell Rock’s Haiden Snyder in the semi-finals at 145-pounds.  Other Go-Hawks reaching title matches Friday night include Kiara Djoumessi at 140 pounds and Madison Hinrichs at 235.

In other semi-finals action Friday morning, Sumner-Fredericksburg’s Hillary Trainor’s bid for a state title at 105 pounds was ended by Jillian Worthen of LaPorte City Union, ranked among the top 25 wrestlers in the nation in her weight class. Trainor will have a chance to wrestle for a third-place finish.

Decorah’s Naomi Simon’s quest for another state championship is also still alive after she won her semi-final match at 170-pounds, running her record to 36-0.

The final round of the tournament begins at 6 pm Friday. Coverage can be heard on 95.9 KCHA.