The week of Nov. 16-22 saw the opening week of high school girls basketball and wrestling begin in the state of Iowa.
The week was highlighted by the Central Iowa Kickoff girls wrestling tournament in Nevada on Nov. 22. There were also a few early girls basketball games, with Class 5A No. 8 Ankeny defeating Ames, 51-32, No. 7 Waukee falling to No. 14 Bettendorf, 49-27, and No. 11 West Des Moines Valley toppling No. 10 Cedar Rapids Washington, 59-46.
There were several standout performances from female athletes from the metro area during the week.
Here are the Des Moines Register’s female Athlete of the Week candidates from the Des Moines metro area for the week of Nov. 16-22. DesMoinesRegister.com readers vote to determine the winners, who will be announced at the end of the week.
Hayden Bratland, Ankeny
Bratland placed first at 145 pounds for the Ankeny girls wrestling team during the Central Iowa Kickoff girls wrestling tournament on Nov. 22 at Nevada.
Bratland went 4-0 during the tournament with one win by technical fall and two by fall to reach the finals. In the championship at 145 Bratland defeated Saydel’s Colbie Tenborg by a 7-5 decision.
Mya Van Beek, Raccoon River-Northwest
Van Beek cruised to first place at 100 pounds during the Central Iowa Kickoff girls wrestling tournament on Nov. 22 at Nevada.
Van Beek was a perfect 3-0 during the meet. She earned two wins by fall before defeating South Tama County’s Livia Smith in the finals by technical fall, 15-0.
Siera Becker, Indianola
Becker placed first at 110 pounds during the Metro North Invitational girls wrestling tournament on Nov. 22 at Urbandale.
Becker was a perfect 3-0 during the tournament. All three of her victories came by fall, including a win in just 43 seconds over Norwalk’s Merci Scholten in the championship match.
Jenna Fuller, Valley
Fuller turned in a brilliant effort for the 5A No. 11 Valley girls basketball team during its opening 59-46 win over No. 10 Cedar Rapids Washington on Nov. 21 at Cedar Rapids.
Fuller scored a game-high 20 points for the Tigers. She made 7 of 12 field goals, including three 3-pointers, dished out three assists and came up with an impressive seven steals on defense.
Maryne Szalo, Waukee
Szalo gave a gutsy effort in defeat for the 5A No. 7 Waukee girls basketball team during its 49-27 loss to No. 14 Bettendorf on Nov. 21 at Waukee.
Szalo went for 11 points and six rebounds for the Warriors. She also had two steals and one block.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Vote for Des Moines Register metro-area female Athlete of the Week for Nov. 16-22
Reporting by Joe Randleman, Des Moines Register / Ames Tribune
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