HC’s Stephens Takes 2nd at Girls’ State Wrestling

HC’s Stephens Takes 2nd at Girls’ State Wrestling –

(2-8-25) – It could someday be seen as a passing of the torch.

Harlan Community’s Elle Stephens was able reach the championship match at 125lbs in Class 1A, but defending champion Molly Allen was just too much as defeated Stephens for a third time this season, this time by a 17-2 tech fall to claim her 4th state title. Stephens finishes 2nd in her first-ever trip to the State Tournament.

Cyclone Girls’ Wrestling Coach Tarah Devlin-Lawler was impressed with how Stephens handled herself throughout the competition.

“She just set a goal and exuded that confidence throughout the entire tournament, and you know, she had her mind set that she was getting to the finals and so she was ready to go. She wrestled smart and she did an amazing job and was able to reach the goal that she had set for herself.”

On Thursday, Stephens pinned MFL-MarMac’s MacKenzie Bachman at 5:25 of their 1st rd contest before pinning Perry’s Ayden Erickson at 4:38 of the quarterfinal match. That set up her semifinal contest with Central Elkader’s Reese Berns early Friday, where she earned a major decision, 14-5, to reach 1st place match.

Stephens has previously stated that she can learn a lot from losing, especially from someone like Allen, who’s now a 4-time state champion and twice a finalist for Ms. Wrestler of the Year. Devlin-Lawler says Stephens has idolized Allen for her accomplishments and likes that she can gain knowledge, even from defeat.

“That was one of our mottos is that you go out on the mat and you’re always learning. Every single match your going to learn something different and it’s no exception with Molly.”

Devlin-Lawler could see Allen possibly handing over the reins to Stephens in their final competition against each other.

“It was kind of like passing the torch from, you know, senior to freshman. Elle’s got a long future ahead of her and continue to set goals and hopefully continue to get to get to the state tournament every year.”

Stephens finishes her freshman campaign for Harlan Community at 33-7.

View past scores by visiting the Iowa High School Athletic Association's website, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union website,
or Iowa Quik Stats