December 08, 2025
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Panther girls fourth at W-G

Galanakis wins 130 title

By LARRY PETERSON
Alainah Galanakis of Creston looks toward the official as she's about to be awarded a win by fall in the 130-pound semifinals at Woodward-Granger Friday. Galanakis also won by fall in the finals to win the championship.

Alainah Galanakis of Creston looks toward the official as she's about to be awarded a win by fall in the 130-pound semifinals at Woodward-Granger Friday. Galanakis also won by fall in the finals to win the championship. (Larry Peterson)

WOODWARD — Alainah Galanakis won the 130-pound championship and four Creston teammates placed second at the Dennis Fields Girls Wrestling Invitational Friday at Woodward-Granger High School.

Placing second for the Panthers were Eva Chesnut (105 pounds), Sydney Hoffman (115), Grace Keeler (135) and Kaylee Wells (110).

Kenzie Maeder of Southwest Valley (left) won the 145-pound title and Alainah Galanakis (right) of Creston was the 130-pound champion at the Dennis Fields Invitational Friday in Woodward.

Kenzie Maeder of Southwest Valley (left) won the 145-pound title and Alainah Galanakis (right) of Creston was the 130-pound champion at the Dennis Fields Invitational Friday in Woodward. (Photo by Joshua Swafford/The Pin Doctors)

Osage, coached by former Creston boys wrestling assistant coach Nick Hemann, won the team championship with 218.5 points. Creston placed fourth in the 10-team field with 94.5 points, just 3.5 points behind third-place Albia. Host Woodward-Granger was second with 146 points.

Galankis, now 8-2 for the season, pinned her way to the 130-pound title with first-period falls in the quarterfinals and semifinals before ending the championship match in 3:01 over Abby Rachut of Osage.

Also winning a title from Southwest Iowa was Kenzie Maeder of Southwest Valley-Bedford-Lenox. Maeder pinned Kaylie Havig of Osage in the 145-pound championship match after winning three prior matches by first-period falls.

Creston's Eva Chesnut (top) stays in control against Natalie Waltz of Panorama on the way to placing second at 105 pounds.

Creston's Eva Chesnut (top) stays in control against Natalie Waltz of Panorama on the way to placing second at 105 pounds. (Larry Peterson)

Chesnut went 3-1 in round-robin competition at 105 pounds, losing only to Tess Darrow of Osage by a 6-1 decision. Chesnut wins were by technical fall, major decision and a 10-3 decision.

Sydney Hoffman of Creston turns Alexis Kolbet of Osage on the way to winning her 115-pound semifinal match by fall. Hoffman placed second.

Sydney Hoffman of Creston turns Alexis Kolbet of Osage on the way to winning her 115-pound semifinal match by fall. Hoffman placed second. (Larry Peterson)

Hoffman won a 3-0 decision at 115 pounds and came from behind to gain an 11-4 semifinal lead before winning by all in 3:20. Kiersten McRoberts of Osage won the title match by fall in 4:49.

Sunshine Casey of Woodward-Granger, ranked third in Class 1A, defeated Keeler 13-7 in the 135-pound finals. Keeler won by falls in both the quarterfinals and semifinals for the Panthers, allowing no opposition points in both matches.

Creston's Grace Keeler looks to her coaches while controlling her semifinal match against Abby Beier of Osage. Keeler won by fall on the way to placing second.

Creston's Grace Keeler looks to her coaches while controlling her semifinal match against Abby Beier of Osage. Keeler won by fall on the way to placing second. (Larry Peterson)

Wells was one of two competitors in the 110-pound division, finishing behind Osage’s Ainsley Hemann. Other placewinners for Creston were Ella Pryor, fourth at 100; Lydia Williams, sixth at 155 and Corbin Williamson, eighth at 130.

Creston girls compete at Norwalk on Tuesday.

Team standings — 1. Osage 218.5; 2. Woodward-Granger 146; 3. Albia 97; 4. Creston 94.5; 5. Boone 89; 6. Panorama 88.5; 7. Southwest Valley-Bedford-Lenox 78.5; 8. Ballard 51.5; 9. Southeast Warren 29; 10. Earlham 23.

Larry Peterson

LARRY PETERSON

Former senior feature writer at Creston News Advertiser and columnist. Previous positions include sports editor for many years and assistant editor. Also a middle school basketball coach in Creston.