K.J. Pilcher

The dual came down to the final match. Class 2A sixth-ranked Independence needed a pin to win but had to settle for a major decision, allowing No. 5 West Delaware to hold on for a 30-29 victory in the Highway 20 Clash Thursday night in Manchester.

Multisport athletes are not unique, but West Liberty’s Ryker Dengler is a rare competitor who wrestles and plays basketball. He has been successful in both, qualifying for state last year and leading the basketball team in several statistical categories.

Here are The Gazette’s fourth 2024-25 installment of area high school boys’ wrestling individual rankings.

Iowa Coach Tom Brands noted the new National Duals Invitational for NCAA Division I programs is attractive for top programs, including the Hawkeyes.

The Pinning Combination podcast includes The Gazette’s K.J. Pilcher, Dick Briggs and special guest Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush.

Spencer Lee competed in the Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France and rolled to gold in his first competition since the 2024 Olympics. Iowa men and women continue to dominate. UNI cools off Sun Devils and more in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

Top-ranked Shayden Washburn was one of four Alburnett champions Saturday at the J-Hawk Invitational hosted by Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Pirates won the team title by 81 points over Waukee Northwest.

Joey Cruz has been competing for the 125-pound starting spot. He has won his last two chances, including a major decision to spark Iowa’s 28-6 Big Ten Conference dual win over Illinois Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena,

Cedar Rapids Xavier broke open the boys’ wrestling dual with seven straight wins and topped Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 52-14, Thursday night at Ron Thillen Gymnasium. Kennedy won the girls’ dual, 72-6.

University of Iowa’s Drake Ayala said he was destined to be a wrestler and than wrestling is in his family’s blood. They have been by side through the good and the bad. Now, he is reunited with his brother, Dru, on the Hawkeyes roster.

The Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs discusses Iowa’s win over Wisconsin and the upcoming dual with No. 9 Illinois. They also talk about UNI men and Iowa women winning NWCA titles, Iowa State’s lineup and high school results from last weekend and Saturday’s tournaments.

Here are The Gazette’s third 2024-25 installment of area high school boys’ wrestling individual rankings.

Iowa City High lost a lot of talent from last season due to graduation. In what could have been a rebuilding season, Little Hawks have worked hard and stepped in the lineup, experience success this season.

Hawkeye Wrestling Club’s Olympic silver medalist announced Monday that he will wrestle Japan World champion Masanosuke Ono in Flowrestling Feb. 26 at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Iowa men dominate, UNI men and Iowa women win NWCA National Duals and more in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

Second-ranked Iowa dominated Wisconsin in the Big Ten Conference opening dual Sunday. The Hawkeyes won all 10 bouts, including seven bonus-point victories, in a 45-0 shutout.