Gazette Athlete of the Year 2023: Meet the 5 Male finalists

The five finalists for The Gazette’s 2023 Male Athlete of the Year:

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Ben Kueter, Iowa City High

Completed an unbeaten high school wrestling career, winning four state championships in a 111-0 run. All of his matches as a senior were won by pin, technical fall or forfeit, and he accumulated 74 pins in his career. In football, he was a National Butkus Award finalist, a Class 5A first-team all-state linebacker and was Gazette area player of the year as a junior and senior.

Will play football and wrestle at the University of Iowa.

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Aidan McDermott, Cedar Rapids Xavier

Two-way star for the Class 4A state championship football team, earning first-team all-state honors twice. Caught 45 passes for 804 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior, and intercepted five enemy passes. A key member of the Saints’ 3A state runner-up basketball team, and a six-time state qualifier in track, highlighted by a 400-meter relay title as a junior.

Will play football at the University of Iowa.

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Alex Mota, Marion

First-team all-state football player as a senior, compiling 3,200 yards of total offense. In track and field, he is the school’s record holder in the 100- and 200-meter races, along with the sprint medley relay. He was second in the 3A 200 and third in the 100 at the state meet after winning the 100-meter title as a junior. A third-team all-state basketball pick as a senior, averaging 9.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in his career as a three-year varsity player.

Will play football at the University of Iowa.

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Tate Petersen, Monticello

A four-year basketball starter who helped lead the Panthers to four state tournaments. A first-team all-stater as a senior, he is Monticello’s all-time leader in points, assists and 3-pointers. Last fall, he led the state (all classes) in receptions (89) and was second in receiving yards (1,307) on his way to first-team all-state football accolades. A three-time all-conference performer in baseball.

Will play basketball at Kirkwood Community College.

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Miles Thompson, Cedar Rapids Washington

Ranks No. 2 all-time in Iowa in the 100 meters (10.37 seconds) and 200 meters (21.04), winning Class 4A state championships in both as a senior. Anchored the 400-meter relay, which is No. 3 all-time (41.71). An honorable-mention all-district performer in football.

Will play football (and probably run track) at Texas Tech University.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com