First-year Dutchgirl head wrestling coach Brandon Howard got to make his head-coaching debut last Tuesday on the home mats hosting the Owensville Dutchgirl Invitational at Owensville High School.

Placing third as a team with 105 points behind Rolla (171) and Marshfield (149).

Dutchgirl grapplers Jenna Vandegriffe (115 pounds) and Liz Adams (130 pounds) led the orange and black by winning their respective weight classes.

Vandegriffe secured first place with a win by fall over Owensville’s Baylee Tumbrink (:22), Marshfield’s Jordyn Larimore (:23) and a win by medical forfeit over Rolla’s Jazmin Tabares.

Adams won her weight class in spite of a loss in pool play.

Defeating Wright City’s Lilliana Wiedemeier via a 10-5 decision and Rolla JV’s Haylee Thomas by fall in 1:59, Adams was pinned by Marshfield’s Chloe Bateman in 2:44.

Starting bracket action at 130 pounds, Adams won a 6-2 decision over Rolla’s Vittoria Wiley before avenging her earlier loss to Bateman by winning a 2-0 decision in the championship match.

Rylee Dare (155), Bailee Dare (170) and Tumbrink (115) each also claimed silver medals via second-place finishes in their respective weight classes.

Rylee pinned her way to the championship match with wins by fall over Marshfield’s Sarah Wilson (2:21), Marshfield JV’s Jasmine Cody (:17), West Plains’ Izzy Smith (:18) and Wright City’s Lauren Ritter (1:40).

Reaching the title match against Rolla’s Serenity Tilford, Rylee was pinned in 3:08 placing her second at 155 pounds.

Bailee also pinned her way to the title match at 170 pounds with wins by fall over Sullivan’s Ruby Daily (3:34), West Plains’ Ashley Nix (:11), Rolla JV’s Addison Montgomery (:40) and Rolla JV’s Madelyn Sullivan (:36).

In the title match, Bailee settled for second place at 170 pounds after dropping a 9-8 decision to Rolla’s Delaney Miller.

Also wrestling at 170 pounds, Owensville’s Anna Carlin placed sixth with wins by fall over Rolla JV’s Lyndon Gott (:13) and Sullivan’s Katie Summers (2:50).

Tumbrink claimed second place at 115 pounds with wins by fall over Rolla’s Jazmin Tabares (4:44) and Marshfield’s Jordyn Lairmore (1:51).

Merrick Blankenship placed third at 145 pounds following wins by fall over Sullivan’s Starr Hardesty (:28) and Rolla’s Natalie Barron (:50).

Winning the tournament at 145 pounds, Sullivan’s Dorie Richardson earned her 100th career win with a win by fall over Blankenship in 1:20.

At 190 pounds, Lexis Manning also earned a third-place medal with wins by fall over Rolla JV’s Emme Eyrtel (:36) and Affton’s Abby Guinta in 1:26 during pool play and 1:45 during the third-place match.

Payton Busenhart placed fourth at 110 pounds in spite of a 7-6 loss to Rolla’s Kyjha Henry along with losses by fall to West Plains’ Madyson Melvin (3:30) and Fulton’s Olivia Weaver (1:16).

Arianna Baguio bounced back from a pair of early losses to place fifth at 125 pounds by winning an 11-6 decision over Rolla’s Mea Matzenbacher.

Owensville’s Dutchmen and Dutchgirl wrestlers will see action this week on the home mats tomorrow (Thursday) night hosting Rolla’s Bulldogs and Washington’s Blue Jays with dual action beginning at 5 p.m.

Rolla will face Washington first followed by Owensville and Rolla in the second dual and Washington and Owensville in the third dual of the night.