By: Dana Becker 

Messenger Sports Staff

COUNCIL BLUFFS — The Iowa Central women made the most of each wrestler here Friday, racking up 126.5 points to claim the lead at the NJCAA Championships.

The Tritons are just ahead of defending champion Indian Hills, who still has 14 wrestlers alive on the championship side of the event inside the Mid-America Center.

Iowa Central pushed seven through to the semifinals and still has three competing in consolation matches, including former Fort Dodge Senior High state champion Alexis Ross. All 10 have achieved All-American status.

Aniyah Dinwiddie, Briana Araujo-Batista, Bronwyn Brenneman, Emma Lewis, Isabella Canada, Kailyn Younger and Rodiat Adeduntan will compete in semifinal round matches when action continues on Saturday. Joining Ross in consolation semifinals will be Dianna Pineda and Kammie Schanz.

"We had an amazing day," ICCC head coach Zak Hensley said. "All 20 of our athletes put in an incredible effort, and despite some heartbreaks in close matches, we are thrilled with their performances.

"We can't wait to see what they will achieve on Saturday."

With teams able to load up on qualifiers, Indian Hills will have two in the semis at 109 pounds, 130, 191 and 235. They also have two more in the consolations.

Ross, a freshman, rebounded from a loss to Morton's Alima Toheeb-Lawal to best Alondra Valles from Carl Albert State, 10-0. After falling to Tarnpreet Saroya from Umpqua, she knocked off Andrea Yates of Southeast and teammate Dakota Whitman to advance.

Iowa Western is fourth, North Iowa Area 10th, Ellsworth 12th and Iowa Lakes 15th from the ICCAC.