A closer look at the IHSAA traditional state wrestling tournament

A look at the top qualifiers, area teams and predictions for the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament Thursday-Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Class 3A

TOP QUALIFIERS: Johnston 12, Fort Dodge 11, North Scott 10, Southeast Polk 10, West Des Moines Valley 10, Dubuque Hempstead 9, Glenwood 8, Bettendorf 7, C.R. Prairie 7, Council Bluffs Lewis Central 7, Indianola 7, Waverly-Shell Rock 7, Western Dubuque 7, Iowa City High 6, Waukee 6, Council Bluffs Jefferson 5, Iowa City West 5, Oskaloosa 5.

AREA QUALIFIERS: C.R. Prairie 7, Western Dubuque 7, Iowa City High 6, Iowa City West 5, C.R. Kennedy 4, Marion 4, C.R. Jefferson 3, C.R. Xavier 3, Linn-Mar 2, C.R. Washington 1.

2016 TOP 3: 1. Southeast Polk 141.5, 2. Fort Dodge 131.5, 3. West Des Moines Valley 113.5.

OUTLOOK: Southeast Polk is looking to repeat and has the depth and firepower to do it. The Rams will get a strong test from West Des Moines Valley and Fort Dodge. Expect the Tigers to leapfrog the Dodgers with a little more depth. Western Dubuque and Cedar Rapids Prairie have the best chance for a top-five finish. The Bobcats have the luxury of two strong title contenders in Max Lyon at 182 and heavyweight Aaron Costello, who are capable of getting bonus points each bout.

PREDICTIONS: 1. Southeast Polk, 2. West Des Moines Valley, 3. Fort Dodge.

Class 2A

TOP QUALIFIERS: Solon 8, Atlantic/CAM 6, Creston/O-M 6, Davenport Assumption 6, Mount Vernon 6, New Hampton 6, South Tama 6, Spirit Lake Park 6, Clarion CGD 5, Denver-Tripoli 5, Osage 5, Washington (Iowa), 5, Webster City 5, Winterset 5, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 4, Dyersville Beckman 4, Eddyville EBF 4, Gilbert 4, Humboldt 4, MOC-Floyd Valley 4, Saydel 4.

AREA QUALIFIERS: Solon 8, Mount Vernon 6, South Tama 6, Washington, Iowa, 5, Dyersville Beckman 4, West Liberty 3, Decorah 2, Independence 2, North Fayette Valley 2, Oelwein 2, Union Community 2, Vinton-Shellsburg 2, West Delaware 2, Williamsburg 2, Anamosa 1, Benton Community 1, Center Point-Urbana 1, Clear Creek Amana 1, Mid-Prairie 1, Monticello 1, Waukon 1.

2016 TOP 3: 1. Creston/O-M 90.5, 2. Clarion CGD 82.5, 3. Albia 78.

OUTLOOK: This really is a two-horse race. New Hampton has some elite wrestlers with a few likely to compete on Saturday night, including top-ranked Keaton Geerts (138) and second-ranked Michael Millage (126) and Ryan Gorman 160). Solon has an edge on bodies in the field. The Spartans have strong point scorers in top-ranked Bryce and Drew West at 120 and 126 and returning state finalist Trevor Nelson at 160. The team title could come down to a finals match between Drew West and Millage on Saturday night. South Tama has a chance to crack the top five or four but edging Creston/O-M for third will be tough.

PREDICTIONS: 1. New Hampton, 2. Solon, 3. Creston/O-M.

Class 1A

TOP QUALIFIERS: Don Bosco 9, Lisbon 9, Sibley-Ocheyedan 8, Missouri Valley 7, Interstate 35 7, Alburnett 6, Lake Mills 6, Underwood 6, Dike-New Hartford 5, OA-BCIG 5, Panorama 5, Akron-Westfield 4, Logan-Magnolia 4, Iowa City Regina 4, MFL MarMac 4, Southeast Warren/Melcher-Dallas 4, West Sioux 4, Westwood 4.

AREA QUALIFIERS: Lisbon 9, Alburnett 6, Iowa City Regina 4, Maquoketa Valley 4, MFL MarMac 4, East Buchanan 3, Iowa Valley 3, North Linn 3, Sigourney-Keota 3, Cascade 2, Jesup 2, Wapsie Valley 2, Belle Plaine 1, Elkader Central 1, English Valleys 1, Highland 1, HLV 1, Midland 1, Postville 1, South Winneshiek 1, Tipton 1.

2016 TOP 3: 1. Alburnett 119.5, 2. Lisbon 111, 3. Mason City Newman 52.

OUTLOOK: Lisbon has its best chance in many years to win its first state title since 1993. The Lions have six ranked wrestlers in the field, including No. 1 Cael Happel at 113, No. 2 Cobe Siebrecht at 106, third-ranked Cooper Siebrecht (132) and state finalist Chase McLaughlin, who is fifth at 138. The Dons have a strong chance, qualifying nine with top-ranked 106-pounder Daniel Kimball and second-ranked Gable Fox at 126. Sibley-Ocheyedan and Alburnett can make a run at third. The Pirates aren't high on numbers but have some capable point scorers in No. 1 Tanner Sloan (170) and Jaymus Wilson, ranked fourth at 106.

PREDICTIONS: 1. Lisbon, 2. Don Bosco, 3. Sibley-Ocheyedan.

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