Center Point-Urbana's Jackson McGonegle pins his way to the 106-pound semifinals

DES MOINES — There’s nothing timid about Center Point-Urbana 106-pounder Jackson McGonegle.

Fortune favors the bold, after all, and by starting off his medal-worthy run at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A state wrestling tournament with three consecutive pins, the 11th-seeded McGonegle’s earned the right to exude the utmost confidence.

“I’m coming for it all this year,” the first-time medal-winner said after upsetting third-seeded Edisen Fullhart of Decorah in Friday’s quarterfinal round at Casey’s Center. “That’s that plan.”

Decorah and Independence entered the state meet planning to contend for the team title — and after Friday’s early action, the Vikings stood atop the 2A standings with 80 points, and the Mustangs lurked in second place, just one point behind. But many more points were up for grabs in Friday night’s semifinal round — and 22 Gazette-area 2A wrestlers advanced to that elite stage.

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West Delaware’s junior 157-pounder, Liam Weber, and sophomore 165-pounder Lane Gudenkauf, did so in rapid succession. Weber, who suffered a concussion at the 2025 state meet after seeing a severe injury derail his freshman season, finally ensured he’d be a medalist by winning his quarterfinal by major decision.

“I’m just trying to make the most of it,” the third-seeded Weber said. “I’m trying to have fun rather than psych myself (out) and get nervous.”

Gudenkauf — whose brother, Croix, also will place at 150 pounds as a freshman — pointed to the Hawks’ faithful and boisterous fans after he upset unbeaten No. 2 seed Jacob McGargill, 7-5, in a grueling match that sapped almost all of his energy.

“Just went out and took it,” the seventh-seeded Gudenkauf said. “It means a lot to me. I think it means a lot to our fans. I just love the support that we have at West Delaware.”

Anamosa’s fourth-seeded 157-pounder Hudson Scranton is loving the opportunity to chase a state title precisely one year after his brother, Austin, secured gold for the second time.

“It’s been great,” said Scranton, a three-time state place-winner who faced four-time medalist and No. 1-seeded Mikey Ryan of Mount Vernon in the semifinals. “I’ve been glad to be right behind my brother trying to do as well as he’s been doing.”

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Union Community’s third-seeded 113-pounder, Coy Mehlert, has been following in his dad, Bart’s, footsteps at the state meet. Bart won a state title — and, later, a Division III national championship at Wartburg — 26 years ago.

Mehlert, a junior, is now a three-time state medalist who advanced to Friday night’s semifinals with his second straight win by technical fall.

“I’m gonna push the pace and try to score as many points as I can,” said Mehlert, who outscored his first two foes at state, 33-2. “My offense is better than, I guess, a lot of people’s defense.”

Mehlert faced Williamsburg’s seventh-seeded Riker DeWitt late Friday in one of several 2A semifinals that exclusively featured Gazette-area wrestlers.

“My coaches just told me to keep believing in myself,” said DeWitt, who avenged a loss by major decision in districts to previously unbeaten and No. 2-seeded Kohen Dietzenbach of Burlington Notre Dame in Friday’s quarterfinal round.

Belief and toughness sustained Mount Vernon’s senior 215-pounder Jaxon Anderson, who beat second-seeded and previously unbeaten Gatlin Rogers of Wilton by major decision in the quarterfinals.

“I’ve just got nothing to lose,” said the seventh-seeded Anderson, who was pinned by Rogers earlier this season in regional duals. “Give everything you have because I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Benton Community’s second-seeded Brady Patterson embodied the same mentality as he pinned his way to the semis, where he faced Alburnett’s fourth-seeded Owen Henriksen.

“It means a lot, man,” Patterson, a senior and first-time place-winner, said. “Keep scoring points and having fun.”

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