Decorah Girls Wrestling Makes First Appearance at Battle of Waterloo, Reaches Milestone

Competing in the prestigious Battle of Waterloo dual tournament for the first time, the Decorah girls wrestling team battled its way to an impressive sixth-place finish among a field of 24 elite teams. On December 19, The Vikings showcased their resilience and talent despite facing several challenging opponents, with standout performances from several athletes and a historic achievement by senior Chloe Sheffield. "This was Decorah's first year at the Battle of Waterloo, and the name says it best. It was a battle!" said Coach Adams. "It was an opportunity to wrestle against some tough teams and continue to rise to the next challenge." Sheffield delivered a milestone moment during Decorah's third dual of the day, securing her 100th career victory with a pin against a wrestler from Osage. The win not only avenged an earlier loss, but also exemplified the dedication and grit that has defined her career. "Chloe avenged an earlier loss to beat the Osage wrestler by fall," Adams said. "One hundred wins is a testament to the commitment Chloe puts into wrestling. No one accomplishes a goal like this by accident." Team ResultsDecorah opened its tournament with a commanding 66-18 victory over AP/GC in the quarterfinals. The Vikings recorded seven falls in the match, with quick pins by Anastasia Simon (145 pounds) in 40 seconds and Kamryn Steines (190 pounds) in 37 seconds. The Vikings continued their momentum in the semifinals, defeating Linn-Mar 48-36. Simon and Lauren Luzum (155 pounds) secured early falls to set the tone, while Bristol Parker (130 pounds) capped the victory with a pin in just 1:34. In the championship match, Decorah faced off against powerhouse Osage. Despite strong performances from Sheffield, Simon, Luzum, and Steines, the Vikings fell short, losing 43-36. Sheffield's milestone victory, a pin in 1:15, highlighted the dual. "Chloe's 100 wins are a reflection of her hard work and the legacy she's building for Decorah girls wrestling," Adams said. Pool Play ChallengesDecorah's journey in Pool 2 began with a hard-fought 45-33 loss to Waverly-Shell Rock. Simon, Luzum, and Steines each recorded wins, while Sheffield earned a lightning-fast pin in just 21 seconds at 100 pounds. The Vikings faced another tough opponent in Prairie, Cedar Rapids, falling 54-30. Simon, Luzum, and Steines again led the charge with falls, but Prairie's depth ultimately secured the win. Individual StandoutsDecorah's top wrestlers made names for themselves throughout the tournament, with Sheffield, Simon, Luzum, and Steines each finishing with a perfect 5-0 record. Sheffield's achievement was particularly notable, as she joined an elite group of wrestlers to surpass 100 career victories. "Anastasia, Lauren, Kamryn, and Chloe going undefeated in five duals is no easy feat," Adams said. "We saw many great things this weekend and will use this as a stepping stone to improve." The Vikings will now take a short break before returning to action on Jan. 4 at the Belle of the Border Wrestling Tournament in St. James, Minnesota. Feed your curiosity! Subscribe to the free newsletter and indulge in all that's local. Your friends will be impressed.