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The Gazette’s 2025 all-area boys’ wrestling team: Union Community’s Jace Hedeman is Wrestler of the Year
Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush led the Pirates to runner-up finishes at State Duals and the traditional tournament for Coach of the Year honors
Mar. 2, 2025 12:34 pm
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The old adage states, “Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Union Community’s Jace Hedeman applied that attitude to the rigors and demands of wrestling. Passion propelled him to success.
“This is my job and I love to do it,” Hedeman said. “It's just like anything. If you love to do it, sooner or later, you're going to get better at it.”
Hedeman became one of the best. He claimed his third state title in four championship match appearances, completing an undefeated senior season with the 132-pound crown at the Class 2A boys’ state tournament Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Hedeman was named The Gazette’s 2024 Boys’ Wrestler of the Year.
“It was pretty awesome,” Hedeman said. “Probably one of the more dominant seasons I've ever had in my life. I couldn't thank my coaches – (Union assistant) Max (Thomsen), (Union head coach) Bart (Mehlert) and Immortal Wrestling Club – enough.”
The impact extends beyond any win or title. Mehlert noted that Hedeman wasn’t as successful early on but things changed in eighth grade. He started to collect the fruits of his labor.
“Coaching a kid like that is a dream – works hard, takes out the trash, cleans the locker room floor, mops the mats, runs little kids practices, helps teammates everyday be better people on and off the mat, and average at dodgeball,” Mehlert said. “Every parent of our wrestling program and their kids have respect for him that was earned through his everyday actions. That's the impact – who is next or how many kids can we get to operate at his level.”
Hedeman finished his senior campaign with a 55-0 record, tallying 31 pins 12 technical falls and a major decision. He collected 10 forfeits and posted a 98.2 bonus-win percentage. His 193 career wins is tied for 45 th all-time in Iowa and second only Thomsen’s 210 at Union.
Similarities exist between the two. Thomsen was an All-American for University of Northern Iowa and Hedeman will also wrestle for the Panthers. Thomsen was a big influence on Hedeman as a wrestler from an early age.
“He’s my coach four months out of the year but it’s probably my favorite four months out of the year,” Hedeman said. “He found a confidence in me that I never even thought I could have. It helped boost my wrestling more than he thinks.
“I've always looked up to him since I was a little kid. He was that senior when I was a little elementary kid. Even now, I just I look up to him. I practice with him every day in the high school season. He whoops my butt but I appreciate what he does for me.”
Only two matches went the full six minutes and neither were at state. He rolled through the bracket with two pins and two technical falls, wrestling a total of 8:52. He pinned New Hampton/Turkey Valley’s Carter Cajthaml in 1:35 in the finale.
Hedeman and teammate Brayden Bohnsack became the 108 th and 109 th three-time state champions in Iowa history. They are also the third Knights to win at least three, joining Max Thomsen, who won four from 2012-15, and Trey Clark, who won in 1997, 1999 and 2000.
“The first one felt the best, but the last one had the biggest impact on me,” Hedeman said. “From my junior year, this was kind of like my ‘get it back’ year this year.
“From falling to second place and like being all sad about it and wanting to quit wrestling, but this one felt pretty good. I got a little emotional over it, but this one was probably the best.”
Hedeman, the second four-time finalist for Union and 78 th in state history, was powered by the sting of his sudden-victory loss to Webster City’s Carson Doolittle as a junior. His hopes for four titles were dashed.
The pressure of being a four-timer was released. He learned that it’s just a match and learned to just enjoy the process.
“Jace Hedeman that you saw this year is a bad, bad man,” Mehlert said of the change. “He and his classmates have gone through some pretty uncommon adverse times as of late, which has not only elevated the work being put in but also the purpose of doing it.
“He had a lot of fun doing it and it was really fun for everyone around him to witness it.”
Hedeman dedicated himself to work hard and enjoy every aspect of wrestling from 1-on-1 practices with club coaches and extra workouts with friend and Don Bosco state champion, Hayden Schwab, and his best friend Bohnsack. Morning practices, afternoon practicing and lifting. All geared to get him back on top of the podium.
“All the work that I didn't do before and it all added up,” Hedeman said. “I think it just helped me improve so much.”
Hedeman didn’t dwell on the accomplishments or accolades. The Fargo All-American went right back to the wrestling room, preparing to be his best at UNI.
“No, we went straight back to work,” Hedeman said. “Practice on Sundays. I'm ready to go each day.”
It’s not work when you love it.
ALBURNETT’S RUSH NABS COACH OF THE YEAR HONORS
Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush led the Pirates to runner-up finishes in the Class 1A State Duals and traditional state tournament for the second straight season. Rush and his staff received The Gazette’s 2024 Boys’ Coach of the Year honors.
Rush was a perfect fit when he took over the Alburnett program about 10 years ago, finding a program and community that share the same hard-working and hard-nosed approach. Something he’s tried to instill in his wrestlers.
“I think most of it is off the mat,” Rush said. “There's a lot to be learned through wrestling. We talk a lot about fighting and giving yourself a chance. I know I've said that. Sticking your nose in battles and things that are going to be relatable and transition into life skills. They can apply them after wrestling and not even around wrestling.”
Alburnett was the top seed at State Duals and qualified a school record 13 state qualifiers, scoring 144 ½ points. The Pirates scored claimed titles at the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational, Cedar Rapids Jefferson J-Hawk Invitational and the Tri-Rivers Conference tournament.
Alburnett posted a 26-2 record with their only losses to 3A power Southeast Polk and 1A champions Don Bosco. The Pirates were runners-up at the famed Battle of Waterloo dual tournament, beating the Dons and 3A contender Waverly-Shell Rock.
Rush and his wife, Ashlee, welcomed their fourth child, Banks, early Friday. He is the youngest of four children with three older sisters. Interestingly, Ashlee began contractions at a welcome home ceremony for the team.
Rush, 36, has said the Pirates have felt like an extension of his family, almost honorary sons. Wrestlers appreciate the emotional investment he shows in them.
“It makes me happy,” 150-pound senior Reece Klostermann said. “He’s done everything he could for me, so it's nice to how much he cares, especially as a coach.”
GAZETTE ALL-AREA WRESTLING TEAM
106 pounds – Coy Mehlert, Union Community, soph., placed third in Class 2A with 51-3 record, tallied 27 pins and 12 technical falls.
113 – Alexander Pierce, Iowa City West, jr., 3A state runner-up with 47-3 mark, became a three-time finalist, recorded 41 bonus-point wins including 28 pins.
120 – Brayden Bohnsack, Union Community, sr., 2A state champion with 50-4 record, three-time state champion, four-time medalist, tallied 43 bonus-point victories.
126 – Rowdy Neighbor, Alburnett, sr., 1A state runner-up, two-time finalist and 2024 state champion, four-time medalist, finished 46-4 with 18 pins, 11 technical falls and nine major decisions.
132 – Jace Hedeman, Union Community, sr., 2A champion, Iowa’s 78 th four-time finalist, three-time state champion, amassed 31 pins, 12 technical falls and a major decision.
138 – Preston Klostermann, Alburnett, sr., 1A runner-up with a 50-3 record, four-time state finalist, tallied 35 bonus-point wins including 30 pins.
144 – Jase Jaspers, Mount Vernon, jr., 2A state campion with 47-0 record, three-time state finalist, 93.6-percent bonus rate with 27 pins, 10 technical falls and seven major decisions.
150 – Justin Avila, Iowa City West, sr., 3A state champion with a 49-3 mark, closed the season with 39-match win streak and surpassed 150 career wins, three-time state medalist, had 32 pins.
157 – Joe Hirsch, Western Dubuque, jr., placed fifth in 3A with 32-4 record, accumulated 28 bonus-point victories including 15 pins and 11 technical falls.
165 – William Fullhart, Decorah, soph., placed third in 2A with a 43-8 record, amassed 19 pins, 11 technical falls and seven major decisions.
175 – Shayden Washburn, Alburnett, sr., placed sixth in 1A with 47-6 record, two-time state medalist, finished with 29 pins, five technical falls and six major decisions.
190 – Austin Scranton, Anamosa, sr., 2A state champion with 52-2 mark, became schools second two-time state champion, posted 34 pins and two technical falls.
215 – Jean Ngoma, C.R. Xavier, sr., 3A state runner-up, compiled a 38-1 record, two-time state medalist, Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet Outstanding Wrestler, 26 bonus-point wins.
Hwt. – Ethan Wood, Mount Vernon, sr., placed third in 2A with 50-2 record, two-time state medalist, had 30 pins, two technical falls and a major decision.
Gazette Wrestler of the Year – Hedeman, Union Community
Coach of the Year – Clayton Rush, Alburnett
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com
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