Perry’s Mercedes Ponce, Julie Maylum, Ayden Erickson, and Cate Erickson pictured below; ADM’s Reese Baxter above.

Five students between Perry and Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High Schools will be competing in a state athletic tournament over the next two days.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Wrestling State Competition is happening at Xtream Arena in Coralville today and tomorrow. Perry is sending sophomore Cate Erickson, junior Ayden Erickson, and seniors Julie Maylum and Mercedes Ponce, while ADM will have senior Reese Baxter as the lone representative, as they partner with Van Meter, Waukee, and Waukee Northwest High Schools to form the Raccoon River Wrestling Team, which is taking 10 girls overall. Erickson is wrestling in the 125 pound weight class for the Jayettes, and knows that the competition will be stiff.

“Every girl there, it’s not going to be like an easy match. Every girl there is amazing. So, just go and do the best that I can.”

Baxter, who competes in the 235 pound weight class, has a straightforward mindset when it comes to the state tournament.

“Just wrestle my best, and stay focused, and have fun.”

Baxter will be apart of the Class 2A Session, which runs from 10am-2:30pm, and then the four Perry girls are featured in the Class 1A Session from 4:30-9pm. Should any of them advance past the first rounds, they will wrestle tomorrow, starting at 10am. Raccoon Valley Radio will carry the wrestling coverage live on KDLS 94.3 FM/1310 AM and KKRF 107.9 FM today.