![Bass Clef Choir members Zion Ondoma, Henry Hansen, and Zerik Nicholson harmonize vocals while singing "Prayer of the Children". “[It’s] a piece dealing with the Bosnian conflicts of the ‘90s,” said Associate Director of Choral Activities Matthew Jensen, “but is applicable to what's happening today all over the world.” The students will perform the song during Large Group Contests in Cedar Falls in May.](https://riverhawkpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260414_111618-1200x554.jpg)
The girls wrestling team competed at the Dan Gable Donnybrook Tournament this last weekend in Coralville. It’s a three-day tournament showcasing wrestlers from across the Midwest.
“Our girls competed hard at the event,” said head coach Jake Phillips. “It is a great early season test for the girls.”
Placing Riverhawks were Piper Phillips, 4th in the 100-pound weight class, Isobella Villarreal, eighth in 125, and Carleigh Arjes, sixth in 13o.
The tournament was hosted at Xtream Arena, which is also the location of the state wrestling tournament. “It is a dress rehearsal for the arena and atmosphere,” said Phillips. “We have a number of girls that have regularly attended this caliber of tournament, but it is great for some of our younger or newer wrestlers to experience this tournament.”
The competition against the Riverhawks included 47 teams from seven states, with many competing athletes being ranked in their home state.
According to Phillips, the talent at the tournament was tough. “At many weights, the level of competition is a little higher than the state tournament,” he said.
For many Riverhawk wrestlers, the season has gotten off to a bumpy start. Five wrestlers are currently unable to compete due to health issues and injuries. Phillips says that only two of those injuries are related to wrestling.
“As of now, we fully expect all of those mentioned to be competing at the end of the season,” he said. “We haven’t been ‘lucky’ that way this season, but fair isn’t something we celebrate.”
Several team members have had to step up to fill the shoes of the missing athletes. “It takes a group to compete team-wise,” said Phillips. “The girls stepping up in these spots are doing a great job competing and getting stronger.”
Phillips also added that the athletes not currently competing have still been contributing to the team. “The girls that are out with injury or illness have been participating as much as possible in practice and are also there for their teammates… at practice and competitions,” he said.
