3 stars from Day 1 of the Iowa boys’ state wrestling tournament

DES MOINES — These three Gazette area athletes stood out on the first day of the 2023 Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

Class 1A: Caden Ballou, Midland

The No. 15-seed Ballou went 2-0 with two pins at 182 pounds. He pinned North Butler-Clarksville’s No. 2-seed MaKade Bloker in 5:48.

» More from Class 1A: Alburnett senior Gunnar Keeney goes from no state wrestling wins to 2 on opening day

Class 2A: Mason Avila, Decorah

Avila posted the biggest upset of the first two sessions. He scored a takedown with six seconds left to beat West Burlington/Notre Dame’s top-seeded Kaiden Dietzenbach.

» More from Class 2A: Mount Vernon’s Ryan brothers seek to add to long family legacy

Class 3A: Tyler Lee, Cedar Rapids Prairie

The 13th-seeded Lee went 2-0 with a major decision and a pin. The fall came against Southeast Polk’s No. 4-seed Logan Trenary in 3:09 to make 132 quarterfinals.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com