Rams’ Johansen punches ticket to state

Glenwood’s Audrina Johansen is headed to the Iowa Girls State Wrestling Tournament.

Johansen went 3-0 on her way to the 120-pound title at Friday’s Class 1A Regionals in Glenwood.  The Girls State Wrestling Tournament will commence Friday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville and runs through Saturday. 

Ankeny was the team champion with a score of 249. Dallas Center-Grimes was the runner up with 166. Glenwood finished fifth with 88 points.

“The girls wrestled well and we have improved all year,” said Glenwood coach Brad Asche. “They left everything out on the mat. It was really tough this year transitioning to the large Class 2A.”

Johansen (46-3), the Rams’ lone state qualifier, pinned Norwalk’s Mya Wojtowicz and Winterset’s Lilly Rinard to reach the finals where she notched a 12-9 decision over Ankeny’s Trudy Haag to punch her ticket to state. 

“Audrina has worked hard for this and she deserves everything she is doing,” Asche said. “She is the hardest worker I've coached in a long time. She is very coachable, and has very great technique on the mat and a will to win and accomplish her goals.” 

The Ram senior is seeded eighth and will face Ballard’s Evelyn Faubus (39-8) in Friday’s opening round at state.

The Rams’ Maya Rivas (135 pounds) placed third at the regional and Ahna Grassau (110 pounds), Breanne Grap (130) and Brooklyn Coover (145) added fourth place finishes.

Class 2A Glenwood Regional

Team Results

1. Ankeny, 249. 2. Dallas Center-Grimes, 166. 3. Hinton-SBL, 163. 4. Council Bluffs Lewis Central, 150. 5. Glenwood, 88. 6. Norwalk, 86. 7. Creston, 84.5. 8. Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, 62. 9. Winterset, 47. 10, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, 26.

Glenwood Place Winners

                  110 pounds: fourth place, Ahna Grassau. 120: Audrina Johansen, first place. 130: Breanne Grap, fourth place. 135: Maya Rivas, third place. 145: Brooklyn Coover, fourth place.