It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Harada House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Riverside, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I”
“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care”
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all”
“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable”
“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I am so thankful for her choice to help me! Thank you! #CertPrint #AlwaysBestCare”
“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”
“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Fairmount Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Le Chat Noir French Restaurant or visit Peter J. Weber House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Riverside, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Riverside, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Riverside, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
ALTOONAIt wasn’t the result Washington County was hoping for, and leaders fought hard to prevent it, but the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission concluded Thursday that the proposed Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center met or exceeded all criteria for a gaming license, and by a 4:1 vote, granted it one.While Cedar Rapids residents cheered, in Washington County the immediate reaction was disappointment.“We are very disappointed,” Patty Koller, Executive Director of the Washington County Riverboat...
ALTOONA
It wasn’t the result Washington County was hoping for, and leaders fought hard to prevent it, but the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission concluded Thursday that the proposed Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center met or exceeded all criteria for a gaming license, and by a 4:1 vote, granted it one.
While Cedar Rapids residents cheered, in Washington County the immediate reaction was disappointment.
“We are very disappointed,” Patty Koller, Executive Director of the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, said. “This is a huge loss for rural Iowa.”
However, neither those in Riverside nor in Cedar Rapids took a breath before acting. The Riverside Casino and Washington County Riverboat Foundation filed a petition challenging the IRGC’s legal authority to issue the license that same day, while the Cedar Rapids Development Group broke ground on the new casino Friday, less than 26 hours later.
IRGC’s Justification
Each of the IRGC’s five commissioners explained the reasoning behind their vote at the Feb. 6 meeting at Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona.
Julie Andres acknowledged the difficulty in making such a decision, and the impossibility of making all parties happy.
“The financial impact to Cedar Rapids in job growth, grants to nonprofits and revitalization of the area are understandable, but at what cost to other casinos in the area?” she said, noting that projected gaming revenue for Cedar Rapids is $116 to $118 million, but almost half of that would be cannibalized from other nearby casinos, including those in Riverside, Waterloo, and Davenport.
However, she still believed the license should be granted.
“I don’t think a project that is desired by a local community, gives that community an opportunity to thrive and develop, meets and even exceeds our standards for quality of design and amenities, and then provides a net gain of revenues to our state should be denied. For those reasons, I will vote yes to grant this gaming license to the Cedar Rapids development group,” Andres said.
Amy Burkhart, a Burlington resident and the commissioner closest to the area impacted by a Cedar Rapids casino, also admitted the decision was a challenging one.
“I have been contacted by numerous individuals who I greatly respect and admire that are in the business community that I live, work, and play, and I understand that any decision I make today has an opportunity to impact their lives and financial well-being,” she said. “At the end of the day, I have to ask myself, what is my job and what is my role here?”
Burkhart noted that no commissioner represents a specific geographical area, and thus, “I am an Iowan today and not representing a particular area, and looking at the state of Iowa, and I won’t re-quote the numbers, but all I see is net gain. I see net gain in terms of tax revenues for our state,” she said, adding that studies show a decline of state revenue should Cedar Crossing not become a reality, as bordering states will compete for those gambling dollars.
The potential $4 million in additional revenue to the state “goes into county endowment funds and is distributed amongst those 84 counties across our state based on our tax revenues,” she said, thus benefiting all Iowans.
Vice Chair Mark Campbell also voted to grant the new gaming license, which he considered “a positive step forward for Iowa.”
“After conducting a careful review of the various studies, I can confidently say that the market has the ability to support this project,” he said. “These studies also indicate that there will be market shift; however, it’s important to note that every gaming license issued in Iowa has experienced some degree of cannibalization or market share redistribution, yet the industry continues to thrive. It’s a reality that many licensees were aware of when they applied, fully understanding that temporary shifts might occur.”
“A more equitable distribution of these funds across the state could provide a wider range of communities with the opportunity to benefit,” Campbell added.
The lone dissenter was Alan Ostergren, a lawyer who was still concerned by an objection brought forward by the Riverside Casino and Washington County Riverboat Foundation months ago arguing Linn County’s 2021 gambling referendum contained legally defective language.
“That has not been resolved to my satisfaction, so I don’t believe that this commission has the legal authority to issue this license,” he said.
That issue aside, Ostergren found the Cedar Rapids casino proposal “exemplary”; however, the “negligible increase in revenue to the state as a whole” – well under 1% -- did not justify for him the amount of cannibalization that would occur.
“I think the cannibalization would be too much, but I can also count, and I think we’ll find out, and I hope that I will be proven wrong on that, but I think we’re going to disrupt what is currently in existence too much for the benefits to the Linn County community, which I think will be considerable,” he said.
Last to weigh in was Chair Daryl Olsen, who was satisfied the commission does have the authority to grant the license, which he voted in favor of. He reviewed the seven criteria for granting the license again, noting that the only strike against the Cedar Rapids casino was “there will be market shift.”
“That is the one negative to this entire project, and it is a negative, and that bothers me, but I can’t let one negative stand in the way of all the other positives,” he said.
He added that if the proposed Cedar Crossing were to only be a casino, he would not support it, but “It provides amenities, restaurants, a 1500-person venue for entertainment, arts, and culture, a STEM lab. It is so much more. It’s unique, and it provides much more than gaming, and that’s so important to me.”
Olsen acknowledged a casino moratorium bill that stalled in a state Senate committee on Tuesday and appreciated that legislators allowed the commission to do its job, which is to regulate.
“The last license was issued more than 10 years ago,” he said. “It’s been a long time, and Linn County makes sense to me. I mean, everything about it makes sense.”
The commission granted an initial license valid from Feb. 6, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2028. They expect to see an anticipated construction timeline presented at their June 2025 meeting with substantial completion of the entire project by April 30, 2027. If not completed by October 31, 2027, fines will be imposed.
Moving Forward
On Friday, Feb. 7, Brent Stevens, president of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, told the crowd gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony they hope the casino will open for New Year’s Eve, 2026.
The Linn County Gaming Association, the nonprofit affiliate and charitable arm of the Cedar Rapids casino, has pledged to distribute 8% of net adjusted gross revenue – about $6 million annually – to nonprofit organizations, 10% of which would be distributed to nonprofits in adjacent counties.
However, should the Iowa District Court respond favorably the to the Riverside Casino’s motion to immediately pause the issuance of the Linn County gambling license, construction on the new facility could be halted.
Whatever happens with the casinos going forward, Mary Audia, Executive Director of the Washington Economic Development Group, remains focused on the bigger picture for Washington County.
“We remain committed to pursuing opportunities that will enhance the quality of life and economic prosperity of Washington County,” she said in a statement on Feb. 6. “We appreciate the support of our community throughout this process and assure our residents that we will continue to advocate for projects and initiatives that benefit Washington County."
Cedar Rapids casino, Riverside Casino, license granted, contested, IRGC
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.HIGH SCHOOLDes Moines RegisterThe nickname "Miss Molly" isn't a moniker that strikes fear into the hearts of many.In ...
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.
HIGH SCHOOL
Des Moines Register
The nickname "Miss Molly" isn't a moniker that strikes fear into the hearts of many.
In Iowa girls high school wrestling, however, it's the name you never want to see in your bracket.
In Western Iowa resides Riverside's Molly Allen, a three-time high school state champion who is searching for her fourth title as a senior this season. From 9-0 as a freshman at 105 pounds, to 31-0 as a sophomore at 115 and 32-0 last year, she's looking to become only the second girls four-time state champion with Decorah's Naomi Simon. Just like Simon, she's looking to do it unscathed through high school competition too.
Allen's dominance extends beyond the borders of Iowa, though. She has won a 16U Nationals freestyle title in Fargo, North Dakota and a Super 32 title in Greensboro, North Carolina, solidifying her as one of the top recruits nationally in her weight class.
See why so many fear "Miss Molly" now?
With the way Allen grew up, it shouldn't be much of a surprise she is where she is today.
Allen's wrestling journey began like so many other girls in the sport; by wrestling boys.
However, her story is slightly different than lining up against a random boy on the other side of a bracket. Her bouts were often with her siblings. She's the middle child between two older brothers, Blake and Westin Allen, and two younger brothers as well. Between the five of them, they are all within eight years of one another.
Growing up in a wrestling family, she began her career at about 4 years old. The family had two wrestling mats they would roll out in the living room when they weren't in an organized setting. There, many scraps occurred while "quite a bit" of furniture was casualties of the bouts.
"There's been some tough fights, but it's definitely made us who we are," Molly Allen said.
Since opportunities for girls wrestling were sparse throughout her time growing up, Molly Allen always tagged along with her two older brothers to practices. Blake was a grade above his sister, while Westin was three grades ahead.
Through middle school and her freshman year of high school, Molly Allen and her brothers attended Underwood. She said she was nervous being one of the only girls to go to an otherwise all-boys practice while she was younger, but it was the support of her two older brothers that made her feel comfortable right away.
Of course, it helped that her brothers had already let the other wrestlers in the program know just how good she was at the sport.
"She was just natural at it," Westin Allen said.
In Molly Allen's freshman year at Underwood, girls wrestling had yet to be sanctioned by the IGHSAU. During that time she mainly wrestled against boys, while competing in a few matches against girls under the umbrella of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.
She was the varsity wrestler for the Underwood boys team at 106 pounds, routinely beating every other boy around her weight class. While everyone at Underwood knew how good Allen was, not everyone on the high school circuit did. That left many boys in Molly Allen's path stunned in the wake of a loss to her.
"You can just see it (shock) on the guy's face after the defeat," Westin Allen said. "You don't want to lose to a girl. I used to see that time and time again, but we enjoyed it."
Those days of the three of them wrestling together finished at the Western Iowa Conference tournament in 2021, where each of them took home titles in their respective weight class. Molly Allen did not concede a takedown the entire tournament and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
"It just showed we're always there to support each other and how close of a family we are," Molly Allen said.
It's a memory that Molly Allen holds dearly, having the chance to share that moment with her brothers. However, she was focused on placing at the boys state tournament a few months later and most importantly, winning the unsanctioned girls state tournament. Ultimately, she did not place at the boys state tournament but did win her first of three state titles on the girls side.
That freshman season is where her brothers say their sister took the biggest leap her in wrestling career and helped set her up for what was to come.
As a sophomore, two major changes came for Molly Allen. Girls wrestling became sanctioned by the IGHSAU. Since Underwood did not have a girls program at the time, she switched schools to Riverside while her brother Blake remained at Underwood.
That was a tough, and rapid change for Molly Allen who has always had a close relationship with her brother. Throughout the years as they scrapped together, the two of them dreamed of winning state titles together in the same year.
"It was something we talked about forever since we were young," Blake Allen said.
They didn't just accomplish their dream once, though. They did it twice, in back-to-back seasons, as they each won titles in 2023 and 2024 before Blake Allen graduated.
Molly Allen was all smiles through that, continuing her dominance and achieving a lifelong dream alongside her brother. Despite changing schools, Allen made the transition with ease. In fact, it was people at Riverside who were more nervous than her.
After meeting her new teammates and making friends at Riverside, they told her that her dominant reputation as a wrestler scared them and they thought the worst at first.
"Everyone says once they get to know me, it's not what they thought," Allen said. "Like, I'll have a conversation with anyone. I love to talk and I'll help anyone with wrestling."
Loving to talk, being bubbly and caring for others are common characteristics people use to describe Allen. While a dominant presence on the mat, off of it she is always willing to share expertise with teammates and has built deep friendships quickly in three years.
Beyond that, she's inspiring the next generation of girls at Riverside, which has increasingly developed youth and junior high programs. The younger girls wrestlers are inspired by what they've seen Allen do.
"They all look up to Molly," Riverside girls wrestling coach Ben Dorr said. "It's pretty special to have someone like her at our school and the little girls are especially in awe of her."
Never in the history of Iowa high school wrestling have there been back-to-back seasons with undefeated four-time state champions.
While there are several occasions where there were consecutive seasons with four-time state title winners, the closest gap between undefeated four-time champions was when Iowa City High's Jeff McGuiness (1993) was followed up by Maquoketa's Eric Jurgins in 1996.
Allen is poised to make history this year, following up Naomi Simon's run last year as an undefeated four-time champion (129-0). As of Jan. 23, Allen is 20-0 this season, up to a 92-0 record all-time against girls. Against boys as a freshman, she was 29-7.
As a senior this year, it's "bittersweet" for Allen as she counts down the events she has left. However, her dominance continues. Last season, she beat Ridge View's Destiny Brown in a 10-2 major decision in the state finals. When the two met on the mat this season, she won via a technical fall (19-2) in just 2:36 of match time, showcasing her constant improvement.
When she hangs up her Riverside singlet for the final time, she hopes to have a fourth state title to her name. More importantly, though, she wants to be remembered for the way she commanded the mat and how she helped those away from it.
"I want to be known as a dominant wrestler who worked hard," Allen said. "I have success because I work hard, I want people to remember that as well. Some people are like, 'Oh my gosh, how are you so good? It's not fair.' But, I truly believe if you really lock in and if you spend hours and hours and hours in the wrestling room, it's going to pay off.
"I just want people to remember me as that and just a humble wrestler. I go out there and I take care of business and then off the mat, I'll sit there and talk to you forever."
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
877-292-2126
