West High reunion

IOWA CITY - A handful of Hawkeyes have been reunited in the University of Iowa wrestling room.

It must seem like old times for red-shirt sophomores Nate Moore and Grant Gambrall, red-shirt freshmen Dylan Carew and Derek St. John and freshman Nick Moore, Nate's younger brother. The group were teammates at Iowa City West High School.

Each helped West High win traditional and dual state titles, claiming individual titles of their own. All five are expected to have an impact on the Hawkeyes' future success with Nate Moore, Gambrall, Carew and St. John contending for spots in the lineup this season.

Nate Moore, ranked ninth in preseason polls by InterMat, was 9-6 last year, starting at 133 pounds for part of last season. Gambrall was 15-5 at 184 last season, winning both of his varsity dual matches and placing sixth at the Midlands Championships. He enters the season ranked ninth.

St. John, a 157-pounder, went 26-4 as a red-shirt freshman, placing fifth at Midlands and winning two open tournaments. St. John is ranked 12th in preseason rankings by InterMat and W.I.N.

Carew was 11-11 last year and is expected to contend for the 149-pound spot.

Nick Moore, who capped his prep career in February by becoming the 19th four-time state champion in Iowa history, is projected at 157 or 165 pounds.

It's indicative of the Hawkeyes team that has a strong contingent of native Iowans.

“I'm sure pride goes a long ways for all the kids that are from Iowa,” St. John said. “Even the kids that aren't from here, everything just bonds in together. It's all kind of one mindset.”