Berns and Medberry reach podium

By Willis Patenaude | Times-Register

There was a buzz of activity inside the Xtreme Arena in Coralville last week, as wrestling fans, friends and family vied for seats with the best view of all eight mats on the floor, which were packed with wrestlers warming up while coaches gave instructions and pep talks for the matches that lay ahead.

There was a palpable eagerness in the air to strap on the headgear, hear the whistle and start the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state wrestling tournament. But before the controlled chaos and cheering filled with the rhythmic pounding of cheerleading routines, refs whistles, coaches intensely shouting instructions and hands being raised in victory under the lights, there was a beginning to this end.  

Back when Central junior Mayleigh Medberry wrote about making it back to state on her beginning-of-the-year goal sheet and repeatedly writing it on the whiteboard calendar she keeps in her room. Back when senior Reese Berns wanted to win the regional, return to state and stand on the podium, which she had missed as a sophomore and junior. Most of all, it was a goal they both wanted to do together, having formed a bond as classmates and training partners.

When the season started in mid-November, they both went 2-0 at a dual in Alburnett and followed with first-place finishes at the Bellevue Girls Invitational, second-place finishes at the Midland and Central girls invitationals and were on the podium at the 2024 Go-Hawk Girls Invite. They both took first at the Iowa Falls-Alden Girls Tournament and the Postville Girls Round Robin. Berns added another title at the Cougar Girls Invitational and Medberry won her bracket at the seventh annual Central Girls Invitational.

Along the way, Medberry also collected her 100th win, which was a goal she set as a freshman. At the time, she thought she was “overshooting.” Instead, it turned out to be a landmark in a wrestling career that still has time to add more. 

Medberry wasn’t alone in reaching new heights, as Berns reached two milestones as a Warrior. First, she reached 100 pins in December, becoming the first Central girl to do so. It was an emotional moment, to the point she started to cry. About a month later, Berns became the first Central girl to reach 150 wins, a goal that initially seemed impossibly out of reach.

For both Medberry and Berns, this season felt like nothing was out of reach, especially after they both became Upper Iowa Conference champions and defeated all their challengers at the state-qualifying tournament in East Buchanan.

As the trailblazing duo walked the halls of Central for a state send-off, they were walking role models who aren’t just gifted athletes, but genuine people who always said “thanks for coming,” every time a tournament ended and I took that final picture. It was a small, but meaningful statement I had never heard before from students, and it made me wonder about all I’d missed by not attending events prior to this year, when I was fully embedded, especially with the girls wrestling team.

Throughout the season, I followed their progress, celebrated every pin, saw the quality of their character in every defeat and got to know them as I wrote about their ever-expanding list of accomplishments. I heard the “thank yous” with every word I wrote. It’s a list they wanted to add to in Coralville, with the eyes of thousands watching in the arena and on the live stream.

While making it to state is the goal, so is making the podium once you’re there. Medberry, acknowledged she “felt more pressure” due to a higher seed, unlike last year, when she entered at a lower seed and was just happy to be there. As the five seed, she knew “bigger things were possible.” 

Bigger things felt possible after an opening round pin and she signed the bracket alongside Berns in the arena hallway. Both their names are etched into a piece of wrestling history.

But after that first match, Medberry’s state run took a decidedly different path than her teammate’s. After suffering a loss in the quarterfinals, she could no longer win a title, but she could make the podium. Medberry won her next match by fall, but in consolation round three, she was pinned. Medberry could place no better than seventh, but she would make the podium. 

In the seventh-place match, Medberry was defeated by a 12-2 major decision, placing eighth at 130 pounds.

“Eighth place is a huge step up from last year, but I’m not satisfied. I am proud of my performance, but in all honesty, I know that wasn’t my best,” Medberry said. “I want to thank my parents, family and teammates that show me never-ending support. Lastly, my many coaches that show up for me every day. I couldn’t ask for a better coaching crew; I am beyond blessed to represent them and our school.” 

After signing the bracket the first time, Berns signed it again after defeating Ava Streeter from Durant by pin in the 125-pound quarterfinals, and it was on to day two for the semifinals. It was late morning when Berns stepped onto the mat for the match against Ellexis Stephens from Harlan Community for a spot in the finals, and after three rounds, the magical run came to an end when Berns lost a 14-5 major decision. The day wasn’t over, though, because she still finished in third place.

About an hour later, Berns wrestled Jessika Ausborn from Northwood-Kensett, who she had previously beaten for a spot in the third-place match. Recovering quickly from the loss, Berns put all doubt to rest with a pin in less than 80 seconds. All that was left to do was wait a few more hours for the night session and a face-off with 52-2 Aileen Aragon from West Liberty.

With the fire going off and the arena dark for first-place introductions, Berns stepped onto the mat and I huddled behind some cheerleaders invading my picture space to capture the moment—and what a moment it was. Berns secured a quick takedown and near fall before pinning Aragon in 90 seconds and running into the arms of her coaches to celebrate. 

In finishing third, Berns became the highest placing girl wrestler in Central history and I was lucky enough to witness it all from mere feet away.

“Going 4-1 at the state tournament is something I am very proud of. I not only just won four matches, I pinned all four opponents, which makes me feel more proud of myself for working hard during those matches,” Berns said. “Placing third is something I never imagined a couple weeks ago, but coming into the state tournament knowing I came up short the last two years really motivated me to give it all I have because there is no next time.”

In the afterglow of victory, Berns reflected on a career now finished and the list of people she wanted to thank. This included all her coaches, family, friends, teammates, Central students and staff and community members who supported the team and provided motivation to return from Coralville with a medal.

“The amount of people who reached out to tell me good luck or that I had an amazing career really means a lot,” she said.

One thing Berns will miss are moments of team bonding, sitting around at “your camp” sharing funny stories while you wait for the next match. Berns said that “really draws your mind off being nervous and helps you be calmer going into your match to absolutely destroy your opponent.” 

Destroying opponents will now be up to Medberry, who will lead the Warriors next season, in her senior season. Medberry will be joined by a steadily improving Mylee Mueller, entering her sophomore season, and what should be a host of incoming freshmen ready to carry the torch. 

The third-place finish at state marks the end of Berns’s storied wrestling career, and it will be the last time she will compete inside the circle in Central color. But what she leaves behind is a legacy to be emulated, not just for its accolades, but for the character displayed while accomplishing those accolades. 

Her name will echo in the stories and memories of staff and students, and it will be etched on the wall of records that adorns the hallway next to the gym where many of her triumphs took place. And maybe, one day, my daughter will walk the hall, look up and see the name “Reese Berns” and ask, “Dad, who is that?”

“A legend.”