DES MOINES - Chalk one up for the girls, with a shade of black.
Megan Black of Eddyville-Blakesburg became the first girl to win a contested match at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships with her 10-0 major decision on Thursday.
"I'm not really thinking about the history part of it yet because I'm still not done here," Black said.
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T-R PHOTO BY MARK PAWLAK
Megan Black of Eddyville-Blakesburg scores near-fall points on her way to a 10-0 win by major decision against Don Bosco’s Jacob Schmit during their Class 1A first-round match at 106 pounds.
The junior 106-pounder was far and away the better wrestler on the mat in her Class 1A matchup with Jacob Schmit of Don Bosco. Black participated in the state championships last year as well while she was at Ottumwa High School, but went 0-2.
Cassy Herkelman of Cedar Falls became the first girl to win in the state tournament as she took a match by default last winter. She went on to lose her next two contested matches.
Black (11-1) faces Taylor Curtis of Underwood (54-3 and ranked fourth in the state) in today's quarterfinal round. Black must win one out of a possible two matches in the first Class 1A session to be a placewinner.
"Last year's two losses were definitely motivation to go out and get two wins this year," Black said. "I want to be on the medal stand and the higher up the better."
Black was a little disappointed when talking to the press afterward as she was unable to escape from Schmit late in the third period, but she did not allow any points.
"I think this is just a beginning. I hope to go out and win my one tomorrow and just keep it going," Black said.