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Area Girls Qualify for 2026 State Wrestling Tournament
Wrestlers from Pella, Knoxville, Indianola, Norwalk, and Newton advance to state competition.
Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:55am
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Several high school girls from central Iowa have qualified for the 2026 state wrestling tournament. The qualifiers come from Class 2A schools in Pella, Knoxville, Indianola, Norwalk, and Newton. The list of qualifiers may be updated throughout the evening as the qualifying events conclude.
Why it matters
Girls' wrestling has seen rapid growth in Iowa in recent years, with the sport becoming an official high school sanctioned event. The state tournament represents the pinnacle of the season for these young athletes, who have dedicated countless hours to honing their skills on the mat.
The details
The Class 2A qualifiers include Kenadi Montgomery and Emma Smith from Pella, Serenity Turner and Mariah Ripperger from Knoxville, Nora Ohnemus and Siera Becker from Indianola, Hannah Schmitz and Merci Scholten from Norwalk, and Kylee Adams and Ashlyn VanManen from Newton.
- The qualifying events were held on January 30, 2026.
The players
Kenadi Montgomery
A wrestler from Pella High School who has qualified for the 2026 state wrestling tournament.
Emma Smith
A wrestler from Pella High School who has qualified for the 2026 state wrestling tournament.
Serenity Turner
A wrestler from Knoxville High School who has qualified for the 2026 state wrestling tournament.
Mariah Ripperger
A wrestler from Knoxville High School who has qualified for the 2026 state wrestling tournament.
Nora Ohnemus
A wrestler from Indianola High School who has qualified for the 2026 state wrestling tournament.
What’s next
The 2026 Iowa High School Girls' State Wrestling Tournament will be held in the coming weeks, where the qualified wrestlers will compete for state championships.
The takeaway
The growing number of girls' wrestling qualifiers from central Iowa schools highlights the increasing popularity and competitiveness of the sport at the high school level, providing these young athletes with the opportunity to showcase their skills on the state's biggest stage.
