Dutchgirl wrestling quartet sees seasons end at districts

By Will Johnson, Sports Editor
Posted 2/15/23

ST. CLAIR — Two more weeks of practice.

That is what Zach Bollmann’s Owensville Dutchgirl wrestlers were after over the weekend during the Missouri State High School Activities …

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Dutchgirl wrestling quartet sees seasons end at districts

Posted

ST. CLAIR — Two more weeks of practice.

That is what Zach Bollmann’s Owensville Dutchgirl wrestlers were after over the weekend during the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 1, District 1 Wrestling Tournament held at St. Clair High School.

Looking to join state qualifiers Bailee Dare and Kelby Schoenfeld were the Dutchgirl wrestling quartet of Jenna Vandegriffe, Carly Brown, Liz Adams and Josie Gerlemann.

Unfortunately for the above-mentioned quartet, their seasons came to an end whether it be from injuries, a tough weight class or tough luck.

“Our girls have come a long way from day one to the district tournament,” Bollmann said. “I’m proud of how each of them competed hard during districts and throughout the season.

At 105 pounds, Vandegriffe drew a bye to the quarterfinals against Hancock’s Zilynn Watt.

Matching the Lady Tiger grappler move for more, Vandegriffe wound up being pinned in 5:50 sending her to the consolation side of the brackets.

However, a flare up of asthma forced her to take a medical forfeit against Festus’ Sarah Gazaway.

Finishing her sophomore season at 33-18, both of Vandegriffe’s opponents at district were eliminated one win shy of state.

Adams opened her tournament at 120 pounds against a familiar foe in Sullivan’s Karen Dietzler.

Leading early in the match, Adams suffered a sprained ankle before eventually being pinned in 5:04 by Dietzler.

Sent to the third round of wrestlebacks, Adams was matched up against Central’s (Park Hills) Taylor Sharp.

Hampered by the injured ankle, Adams saw her sophomore end at 40-12 after a loss by fall to Sharp in 3:08.

Dietzler and Sharp were also both eliminated one win shy of state.

Sophomore Carly Brown had a full weight class at 125 pounds.

Brown was pinned in 1:19 by Affton’s Charlotte Hudson sending her to the consolation side of the  bracket and a match against St. James’ Heidi Endsley.

Pinned in 2:47 by the Lady Tiger grappler, Brown’s season ended at 22-28.

Hudson and Endsley also did not qualify for state.

Senior Josie Gerlemann looked to end her OHS wrestling career with a trip to state.

Pinned by Hillsboro’s Alleigh Culley in the quarterfinals, Gerlemann battled back into the consolation semifinals with wins by fall over Katie Summers (Sullivan) and Audrey Long (Affton).

Leading St. Clair’s Molly Brown in the third period, Gerlemann wound up being pinned in 4:39 ending her senior season at 43-12.