Top area teams and individuals to watch for the 2025 boys’ high school track and field season.
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Top area teams and individuals to watch for the 2025 boys’ high school track and field season.
Lots of talented individuals and teams aim to get back to state tournament
University of Northern Iowa 184-pounder Parker Keckeisen wrestled for his second national title and a chance to play spoiler against Penn State’s Carter Starocci, who was going for his unprecedented fifth NCAA crown. Starocci won, 4-3.
Iowa’s Drake Ayala, Michael Caliendo and Stephen Buchanan and UNI’s Parker Keckeisen won semifinal bouts Friday, advancing to the finals of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
University of Iowa, Iowa State, University of Northern Iowa and a handful of others with state ties will compete at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia from Thursday through Saturday. Here are five storylines to follow at the national tournament.
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.
Girls’ basketball: Cedar Rapids Prairie holds Iowa City West’s prolific shooters to two 3-pointers and advance to state, 61-40. It’s the Hawks’ first state appearance since 2020, and the 13th for first-year coach Bruce Dall.
Prairie Hawks defeat Iowa City West’s Women of Troy 61-40 to advance to the state tournament
Girls’ basketball: Metro/Iowa City is guaranteed two 5A/4A state berths, could get as many as three more. West-Prairie and City-Liberty matchups highlight Tuesday’s big-school regional finals.
Iowa City West’s Justin Avila shared some joyful tears with family, celebrating his 150-pound championship at the Class 3A boys’ state tournament Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena.
Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Jean Ngoma scored four points in the third period, adding an escape and ride out for a 5-4 win over Southeast Polk’s Holden Hansen in the 215-pound semifinals of the Class 3A boys’ state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. He’s joined in the finals with Iowa City West duo Alexander Pierce and Justin Avila.
Iowa City Liberty’s Landon Bell celebrated his first state wrestling tournament win Thursday. A day later, he secured his first state medal with a quarterfinal victory in the Class 3A state tournament Friday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
Iowa City West’s Justin Avila entered the 2025 boys’ state wrestling tournament Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines with a “No Regrets” attitude. If he produces his best performance, prize will take care of itself.
West, which last won a title in 2020, held off Linn-Mar to take the title with 224 points in a thrilling meet at the UI Campus Recreation and Wellness Center pool. The Lions scored 220 points to post the best finish in school history.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Aidyn Roman made amends for last year’s finish and avenge some losses along the way. He claimed the 138-pound Class 3A district title Saturday at Iowa City High, returning to state after a year hiatus.
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