(Harlan, IA) — Harlan’s Elle Stephens will be one of the favorites in the 130 pound weight class at the girls state wrestling tournament which begins this Thursday in Coralville, IA.
Stephens will be the #2 seed in the bracket with a record of 14-2 — she had to miss the entire month of December with a knee injury
Stephens not only had to deal with the physical problems of the injury but had to mentally regain her confidence on the mat
Stephens won the Atlantic tournament which was a week before Regionals and that help her regain some confidence. The Sophomore was the runner up in Class 1A last year losing to Riverside’s Molly Allen in the finals. That is driving her this season to get to the top of the podium
Harlan got bumped up to 2A this year so the road to the finals will be tougher for Stephens — if all the favorites advance, she could face the #1 seed Avaeh Smith of Lewis Central in the finals who is 35-0 but Stephens says she is ready for her
Stephens will face Marlee Peyton of Prairie, Cedar Rapids in the first round who is 34-13 — Stephens pinned her in the regional finals on Friday. The 2A first round will start at 4:30 pm on Thursday, we will have coverage on KSOM.
Complete Interview with Elle Stephens of Harlan
