Fairfield’s Alyia Abbott Qualifies For State

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union had their first ever sanctioned wrestling regional. Fairfield’s Alyia Abbott walked into the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines with hopes of making it to the state tournament, needing just two wins to guarantee a spot at state after getting a bye in the first round.

Abbott started the day with a pin in just 53 seconds over Miah Huff of Nevada to advance to the quarterfinal. Alyia would then pin Liv Halfpap of Raccoon River – Northwest in 59 seconds. With that win Alyia was in the Region 4 Finals at 105 with her ticket already punched to Coralville.

The Final was a hard-fought bought between Abbott and Carissa Herson of Southeast Polk. Herson got the first points of the match with a takedown of Abbott, with no other points being scored in the first or second period. The third started with both wrestlers in the neutral position. Abbot was able to get the takedown on Herson to tie up the match, however Herson was able to escape and get the final point needed to win the match.

Abbott lost the final match by a 3-2 decision. With the loss, Abbott placed 2nd in the Regional Tournament.

The State Tournament will take place at the Xtreme Arena in Coralville on Thursday, February 2nd and Friday, February 3rd. Aliya is the 14th seed at 105 and will have a rematch with Liv Halfpap, who is the 19th seed, in the opening round at 105.