The 2022-2023 Iowa girl’s wrestling season marks its first year, as the 11th-sanctioned sport for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU), with over 1,000 girls across 185 high schools.The end of the season was marked by the 2023 Girls State Wrestling Tournament on Feb. 2-3 at the Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Bettendorf competed with six state qualifiers, having two girls place: Alexys Petersen, a veteran Bulldog wrestler, and Taylor Strief, a new face in the program. Petersen, a junior, got third at the 130lbs bracket with a pin. 

“Being able to wrestle in the finals match was most exciting, but I hope to get first next year,” said Petersen, who encourages more girls to join the program next year. 

Strief, a freshman, got third with a pin at the 105lbs bracket. 

“It was amazing to have six girls compete for the first official state girls tournament,” said Strief.

Strief hopes to have more state placers and win the team state dual. 

“Anyone can become better at the sport, there is always room to grow,” said Strief, who wants to win three state titles at the end of her wrestling career.

“The amount of support that I have been given by coaches, team members, family, and even peers is amazing,” said Strief, who looks forward to next season.