Meet The Gazette’s 2025 all-area high school boys’ wrestling team: Union Community’s three-time state champion and four-time finalist Jace Hedeman is the Wrestler of the Year, while Alburnett’s Clayton Rush repeats as Coach of the Year.
Alburnett’s Rowdy Neighbor and Preston Klostermann closed their prep careers in the Class 1A boys’ state wrestling finals Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Both placed second, helping the Pirates to a second-place team finish.
Alburnett freshman Owen Henriksen quit feeling sorry for himself and embraced the challenges that accompany wrestling. He showed that toughness, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Class 1A boys’ state wrestling tournament Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
Class 1A No. 1 Alburnett subscribes to the “Bring the fight” mantra. The Pirates will have to bring that mentality for a chance to win first dual crown since 2016.
Top-ranked Shayden Washburn was one of four Alburnett champions Saturday at the J-Hawk Invitational hosted by Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Pirates won the team title by 81 points over Waukee Northwest.
The Battle of Waterloo didn’t disappoint and Alburnett left with a runner-up finish to Class 3A power southeast Polk. Iowa State competed at the Collegiate Duals. Cornell, Luther impressed at the Gator Boots Duals in Tennessee and more in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.
Former West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss will be inducted into the Battle of Waterloo Hall of Fame, while his son, Jake, has taken the reins of the program, competing in a bracket named after the former head coach.
Class 1A second-ranked Alburnett had a dual win over No. 3 Wilton when Cooper Franklin took the mat in the finale. He closed the night with a 5-0 decision over No. 2 Gabriel Brisker at 138 pounts Tuesday night at Alburnett. The Pirates won, 38-22.
Union Community’s Jace Hedeman has subscribed to a new free and fun approach after his drerams of four state titles were dashed last season. He was dominant Saturday, winning the 132-pound title of the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational
Don Bosco won the last four matches to beat top-seeded Alburnett for the Class 1A title. Creston won its first title since 2007, winning the final match for a 36-33 win over Sergeant Bluff-Luton. Southeast Polk rolled through the 3A field
Top-ranked Alburnett opened with three straight pins and cruised to a 60-14 Class 1A regional duals final win over No. 17 Earlham. The Pirates earned their eighth state duals berth.
Just three years after placing 46th at the Class 1A state tournament, Alburnett is back among the top 1A programs. The Pirates are ranked second in dual and tournament rankings with seven ranked wrestlers to start the second half of the boys’ wrestling season.
Mount Vernon senior suffered torn knee ligaments in football that out his final wrestling season in doubt. Younggreen has returned and improved to 8-0 after a major decision in the Mustangs’ State Duals quarterfinal win over Creston.
Class 1A second-ranked Alburnett posted identical Tri-Rivers Conference dual wins, beating both No. 3 Lisbon and North Linn, 50-24, Thursday night at Lisbon.
Cedar Rapids Prairie sophomore Mackenzie Childers has always possessed a love for wrestling. She has parlayed that passion into success, opening the season 20-0 with 16 pins.
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