Dawson takes weight class at Granite City event

By Mark Jurgena 

Four girls from the Collinsville wrestling team competed at the Granite City girls tournament Friday night with Kahok Taylor Dawson sweeping through her weight class.

Dawson went 5-0 with five pins to win at 130 pounds.

In her opener, she beat Jenna Tuxhorn of Chatham (Glenwood) in 35 seconds. She followed that performance with a 52 second pin over Madison Aldrich of Edwardsville.

Her third match was her shortest of the evening as she needed ten seconds to pin Dwyriha Blanchard of Belleville West.

In the semifinals, she beat Haily Dewitt of Jacksonville in 39 seconds then beat Imani Hawkins of Triad in eleven seconds to claim the title.

“She had a great weekend,” said May. “She did a great job of executing what her coaches were telling her to do and she executed her moves perfectly.”

Alanni Torres took 4th place at 145 pounds by going 2-2 on the day.

Torres beat Daytin Phillips of Mt. Vernon in 36 seconds before losing to Antonia Phillips of Alton by pinfall in the semifinals. The Redbird wrestler finished last season as the state champion at 140 pounds. She also 

The Kahok fought back to beat Phuong Tran by pin at 1:42 before losing to Lea Kuc of Belleville East in her final match.

Tashieya Taylor and Hannah Jones also competed for Collinsville.