By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

DALLAS, Ore.–  Kennedy’s Alex Geschwill stepped up her game, taking part in the second-annual Lady Dragons Invitational Saturday at Dallas High School.  

Geschwill picked up the first-round bye before pinning Dayton’s Lillie Brooks to advance to the quarterfinals of the 130-pound bracket.  From there, Geschwill picked up a 2-1 decision over Venelle Imbi from 5A’s Wilsonville.  Using a takedown before holding the Wildcat grappler to a third period escape for the slim margin of victory to reach the 130-pound division semi-finals.

“I wanted to prove that I can compete at that level, and I did that, and I’m happy about it,” Geschwill said of the win.  “I was really patient with rushing my shots, and this one, I waited it out.  I had to really feel her out because she’s a good wrestler, so I just waited it out.  She got an escape in that last round, I held her for a whole, and I could control her in the arm position.  If I stayed in a good position and pushed into her, we’re going to be good.”

Geschwill has been building up confidence since her Oregon Classic defeat recently and is turning the corner just in time for districts here in two weeks.  The 2A Trojan senior ran into a buzzsaw in her next match, falling to 6A’s Haley Vann from Cleveland, who had wrestled with Team USA this past summer, in a first round pin.  But in a loaded field of 24, the wrestler from little Mount Angel finished fourth-place with the end of the season on the horizon.

“I lost in Dayton and I lost in The Oregon Classic to a girl from La Pine, especially that girl from La Pine I gave up on myself.  I had a reality check and we’re not doing that anymore.  I’m just excited to know that I’m getting in the mindset I need to be, especially with Districts coming up in two weeks,” Geschwill said.