116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Dynamic duo helps power Mount Vernon at IGHSAU state wrestling tournament
Kate Martin trains with Kiersten Swart, pushing each other into the semifinals; Mount Vernon has 4 semifinalists, 5 medalists; East Buchanan, West Liberty go 6-0 on Day 1
Feb. 5, 2026 8:22 pm
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
CORALVILLE – Kate Martin and Kiersten Swart don’t have to share their goals.
Mount Vernon’s lightweight duo and practice partners are in sync when it comes to what they want and are able to accomplish. Both have their sights set being state champions.
“I don't feel like we talk about it very often,” Martin said. “I feel like we are on the same page where we both want to win. It's just not talked about much.”
Same aspirations and same results. Martin and Swart recorded pins in their first two matches at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 1A state wrestling Thursday at Xtream Arena. The Mustangs finished with four semifinalists and five medalist, scoring 48 points and sitting in third place behind leader Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Osage.
“They all came away with at least one fall,” Mount Vernon Coach Trevor Trende said. “Getting bonus points where we can, which is huge for the team.”
Martin, a sophomore at 105, and Swart, a senior 110-pounder, didn’t know each other until the first week of practice last season. They were paired together because of similar weights and stature. It was impossible to predict they’d be a perfect match but it didn’t take long to realize it was mutually beneficial.
“I feel like it's iron sharpens iron,” Swart said. “She's really good and makes me better. I feel like I make her better, so we just work together and we just hope to keep building on what we already have every day.”
Trende recalled the first time they drilled. He said he didn’t think they said more than 50 words. They just went to work and have been leaders by example for the Mustangs, which placed second last season and are in position for another team trophy.
“It’s unique,” Trende said. “Kate is quiet. She is calm, cool and collected. Kiersten is similar. She’s really taken Kate under her wing.
“They’re both phenomenal leaders. They do the right things.”
The bonds have strengthened throughout the last two seasons. Martin and Swart share a fearlessness and a thirst for knowledge. Trende has witnessed it flourish.
“Their relationship has grown,” Trende said. “They’re students of the sport. Thet work hard to get better. They aren’t afraid of failure. They go for it. If they don’t get it, they pick each other up.”
Talking to them, you get the impression the older and slightly bigger Swart might win their battles in the wrestling room. They have helped each other improve in various positions and flurries. It can get physical at times.
“I really like putting her in really tricky situations,” Swart said. “Sometimes I just kind of scramble with her and play around with her a little bit.
“Also, I've slapped her a couple times on accident,” Swart added with a laugh.
“I’m used to it,” Martin said.
Sometimes their toughest opponent is their teammate. The tussles in practice have made them battle-tested before an event starts.
“Last year, going to state, my dad was like there's not going to be too difficult of competition because you're already wrestling the No. 2-ranked girl in the state,” Martin said. “You’re not going to see something you haven’t seen before. Also, wrestling her makes me smarter in different positions, and I definitely notice the difference with that.”
Swart praised Martin’s work ethic, seeing the effort and sweat she dedicates to being her best.
“We really just stay focused when we're practicing together,” Swart said. “And I've noticed she's really disciplined. A hard worker.”
Martin said Swart is very determined and is undeterred on the mat. She is also a savvy competitor.
“She wrestles really smart and she's very disciplined,” Martin said. “She goes after what she wants.”
They revel in each other’s success. Second-seeded Swart admitted she watched Martin in her quarterfinal, despite being up next on a nearby mat. Then, she realized it was time to get ready and had to focus on her match. Swart wasn’t distracted, posting a 56-second fall and a pin in 3:23.
No. 3 Martin opened with pins of 1:22 and 2:19..
Swart is attempting to return to the finals for a second straight season, while Martin will try to improve last year’s fourth-place finish. Swart was also third as a sophomore.
Both have already secured a top-six finish again, joining teammates Adeline Whisner at 145 and 170-pounder Gracie Pinckney. Kaylee Kintzel moved into the top eight through the 155 consolations.
As for Martin and Swart, they hope to push each other to the highest step possible.
“I think we can both go all the way,” Swart said. “We have to wrestle smart and we have to have confidence in ourselves. I'm hoping we can both do it.”
East Buchanan and West Liberty qualified three wrestlers and went 6-0 on Day 1. The Buccaneers received two pins apiece from top-seeded Tayla Stiefel (145), No. 2 Miley Walz at 155 and top-seeded 190-pounder Brooklyn Graham, who was the 1A 170 champion last year.
West Liberty’s Kiley Collins (120), No. 2 Aileen Aragon at 125 and No. 1 Bricsia Garcia-Vasquez at 170 advanced to the semifinals. Collins, the No. 10 seed, posted two pins, including a 1:12 fall of Highland’s second-seeded Adley Sweeting in the quarterfinals.
West Delaware’s No. 2 Anna O’Rear (135) is a win away from her second state finals appearance. Williamsburg’s fourth-seeded Keston Spratt advanced to the 125 semifinals.
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters