A Closer Look: Gazette-area teams in the State Duals tournament

Gazette-area team capsules and predictions for Wednesday's State Duals tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Class 3A

PAIRINGS

No. 1 Southeast Polk vs. No. 8 Cedar Rapids Prairie

No. 4 Western Dubuque vs. No. 5 Waverly-Shell Rock

No. 2 West Des Moines Valley vs. No. 7 Indianola

No. 3 North Scott vs. No. 6 Fort Dodge

CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE

Coach: Kane Thompson (2nd year)

Record: 15-3

Appearances: 17th overall, sixth straight

Road to Des Moines: The eighth-ranked Hawks handled No. 9 Johnson, 47-16, in the regional final, winning 10 of 14 weights. Seven of those wins earned bonus points. Prairie also won the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division dual title, going 6-0 in the conference.

Outlook: Without any regional dual upsets, the Hawks entered the tournament as the lowest ranked qualifier. The Hawks are the No. 8 seed and draw top-ranked Southeast Polk in the quarterfinals. Prairie will need a herculean effort to overcome the Rams, but the Hawks are balanced with a competitive wrestler at each weight.

WESTERN DUBUQUE

Coach: Paul Cleary (6th year)

Record: 25-4

Appearances: Second overall, first since 2009

Road to Des Moines: The fourth-ranked Bobcats have been a formidable dual team all season. They beat rival Dubuque Hempstead, 40-30, in the regional dual final. Western Dubuque won eight matches, including five by pin to beat the No. 10 Mustangs for the second time this season. The Bobcats won the Wamac East dual title.

Outlook: Western Dubuque drew fifth-seeded Waverly-Shell Rock in a rematch of the 2009 quarterfinal when the Bobcats made their State Duals debut. The Go-Hawks won that meeting and beat Western Dubuque, 42-36, in December at the Battle of Waterloo dual tournament. The Bobcats lost the last three matches, giving up 18 points including a forfeit. The Bobcats should expect another close one with a could chance to advance. Top-seeded Southeast Polk could await, if they survive the quarterfinals.

3A Predictions: 1. Southeast Polk, 2. West Des Moines Valley, 3. North Scott

Class 2A

PAIRINGS

No. 1 New Hampton vs. No. 8 Denver-Tripoli

No. 4 Creston/O-M vs. No. 5 Davenport Assumption

No. 2 Solon vs. No. 7 Sergeant Bluff-Luton

No. 3 Atlantic/CAM vs. No. 6 Washington (Iowa)

SOLON

Coach: Blake Williams (2nd year, 6th overall)

Record: 25-1

Appearances: Second overall, first since 2001

Road to Des Moines: The second-ranked Spartans dominated their sectional tournament to earn a spot in the regional duals. They earned their second trip under Blake Williams, who was the Solon coach in 2001 before heading to Prairie and coming back for the 2015-16 season. The Spartans beat 32nd-ranked Saydel, 70-12, and then No. 15 Mount Vernon, 51-18, in the regional dual final.

Outlook: The Spartans have a legit shot at their first state wrestling team title. They have strong balance with six ranked wrestlers and the ability to score bonus points from wrestlers like top-ranked Bryce and Drew West and state runner-up Trevor Nelson. Solon won't have a cakewalk with No. 7 Sergeant Bluff-Luton in the quarterfinals and the winner of No. 3 Atlantic/CAM and No. 6 Washington (Iowa) in the semifinals. Expect them to be battling top-seeded New Hampton in the final.

WASHINGTON (IOWA)

Coach: Brent Van Weelden (19th year overall)

Record: 28-1

Appearances: Second overall, second straight

Road to Des Moines: The sixth-ranked Demons avenged their only dual loss of the season, beating No. 11 Williamsburg, 36-24. They also beat No. 19 Eddyville EBF, 51-15, at regional duals. Washington reached the dual postseason by winning the Keokuk sectional by 83 points.

Outlook: The Demons have six ranked wrestlers, making them a tough out for any team. They have 13 wrestlers with a winning record and 13 with at least 21 victories. Now, the Demons are experienced, placing sixth and getting their first State Duals win last year. They face No. 3 Atlantic/CAM in the quarterfinas. Don't be surprised if the Demons advance to a semifinal with Solon.

2A Predictions: 1. New Hampton, 2. Solon, 3. Washington (Iowa)

Class 1A

PAIRINGS

No. 1 Don Bosco vs. No. 8 Interstate 35

No. 4 Lake Mills vs. No. 5 Logan-Magnolia

No. 2 Lisbon vs. No. 7 Wapsie Valley

No. 3 Sibley-Ocheyedan vs. No. 6 Missouri Valley

LISBON

Coach: Brad Smith (5th year, 18th overall)

Record: 22-4

Appearances: 11th overall, third straight

Road to Des Moines: The second-ranked Lions had little trouble returning to the State Duals tournament. Lisbon defeated No. 21 Wilton, 59-18, in the regional dual final after a 63-6 victory over Midland, winning 23 of 28 weights. The Lions cruised to a sectional title to qualifying, advancing 11 to district.

Outlook: The second-seeded Lions' motto all season has been, 'Close the Deal,' stemming from last year's State Duals final where they lost to Alburnett on criteria. Lisbon has nearly a full lineup that includes seven ranked wrestlers and six of them at eighth or better. They face No. 7 Wapsie Valley, which is making its fourth State Duals appearance and first since 2000. The Lions should be able to advance to the final in a likely rematch with Don Bosco. The Dons won the January meeting at home, 36-30, and the Lions will need to reverse at least one match in their favor for their first dual title since 1991.

1A Predictions: 1. Lisbon, 2. Don Bosco, 3. Logan-Magnolia

State Duals

Where: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines

When: Wednesday, starting at 9 a.m.; Championship matches at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $10 for general admission; Available at Wells Fargo Arena box office or online.

TV/Online: Trackcast live streaming at www.trackwrestling.com

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com